To the editor:

Rather than place the burden of enforcing what has proven to be an unenforceable law on the Lawrence police, our city and county leaders should work together to restrict the sale of fireworks within Douglas County. Any firework sold in Douglas County should be legal to use in the city of Lawrence.

The reason for the ban stems from a few irresponsible people using fireworks. I doubt these people have stopped due to the ban. Instead, the ban only penalizes responsible people from using fireworks. The ban was passed due to concerns about fires, in particular homes or apartments being damaged. These fires are due to aerial fireworks and those should be the focus of any sales ban or restriction, not fireworks such as fountains which are not going to cause buildings to be set on fire.

Under the current ban people are forced to choose between foregoing their own celebration of our country’s independence, which for many is a tradition dating back to childhood, and breaking the law. From the looks of things, it’s obvious the choice people are making. Our leaders need to recognize this and change the law.