Panelists answered the following: In light of five children being injured by illegal fireworks in Hollister on July 4, should the city ban the sale of all fireworks?
Nants Foley: Many of the county’s nonprofit organizations rely on the income from legal fireworks to serve our community. We should not punish them because of a tragic accident.
Richard Herrera: No. I believe residents should practice safe use of fireworks and protect their children as much as possible. People will continue to use fireworks even if they were banned. I pray for those who were injured.
Ruth Erickson: Even if legal fireworks were banned, it wouldn’t stop all the illegal ones, and unfortunately may increase the use of illegals, and possibly legal safe and sane bought outside the county.
Isabella Zanger: No. Taking away fireworks is like taking away guns. How sad that we live in a violent culture.
Lelia Grisell Lingenfelter: No. If I thought banning safe and sane fireworks would stop illegal fireworks then I’d support it.
Tiffany Rodriguez: The fireworks sold in Hollister are “safe and sane”. The explosives used in the incident were not purchased from a local stand. Local nonprofits benefit from these sales. Increase the fines and amend the law adding jail time and financial responsibility for any personal injury caused from negligence. My heart goes out to the families affected by this, and that includes the family of the person arrested. I’m sure he did not intend for this to happen. And no, I do not know him or his family.
Todd Grant: Nope. The fireworks which injured these kids are already illegal. So why outlaw something related but which caused neither damage nor injury? However, if the drought continues and the fire danger remains this high, then by all means, ban them. Just make sure that if they’re banned it’s for a proper and legitimate reason.
Reyes Yadira: No because it was the irresponsible adult who let the kids play with fireworks and no parental supervision. You shouldn’t punish everybody for some irresponsible few.
Karen Escobar: Ban them because of the drought, but not because of this stupidity.
Patty Neugebauer Egan: Because of someone’s negligence now everybody has to suffer!!!! This is absolutely getting ridiculous!
Dafne Sabory: Don’t think so!
Tina Amerson Spero: No. They will just buy them elsewhere.
Tana Guerrero: No. Just charge and fine the crap out of the idiots responsible.
