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Fireworks Are Illegal in LA, But Aerial Video Shows Spirit of American Rebellion Is Alive and Well

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There’s nothing that says the Fourth of July quite like fireworks. And there’s nothing that says California quite like busybodies.

Which is why, if you live in Los Angeles County, those Roman candles and bottle rockets are illegal. Not that it stopped anyone, however.

Yes, on the day when we celebrate our independence, people in L.A. County have been busy proving that the spirit of American rebellion is alive and well.

Take a look at this video from rabbi and author David Wolpe, who was apparently landing in Los Angeles last night:

That’s not just a few fireworks and they’re clearly not coming from professional fireworks shows.

It’s not just that this year was some sort of outlier, though. Here was video from a helicopter in the City of Angels on July 4 last year:

Do you think fireworks should be banned in Los Angeles County?

You would almost think that they don’t have respect for arbitrary authority.

And, by the way, it’s not like this isn’t for lack of this ban being publicized.

Here was the Los Angeles Times writing about it: “July 4 is here, and it won’t be all barbecues and beer,” the Times reported on the Fourth.

“Southern California law enforcement will be on heightened alert during the July 4 weekend, looking for drunk drivers and illegal fireworks.”

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Yes, because one is clearly as dangerous as the other. Wouldn’t it make more sense to take police off of illegal fireworks patrol and put them to work catching drunk drivers?

But no. Take 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who used the occasion to warn her constituents about the dangers of using something fun that also requires personal responsibility.

“While some cities allow ‘safe and sane’ fireworks, fireworks of any kind, are illegal in Los Angeles County unincorporated communities,” Supervisor Barger said in a statement.

“Annually, fireworks cause brush fires, house fires, millions of dollars in damages, injuries, and even death. I encourage residents to report any illegal fireworks to law enforcement.”

That’s right: If the police don’t catch your neighbor, snitch on them!

And Supervisor Barger’s website made it clear that if the authorities caught you, you could be in for it.

“Possession or use of illegal fireworks can range from a fine of up to $1000, to one year in county jail,” the website read.

“Certain products like m-80’s and m-100’s are considered explosives and are a felony to possess with penalties as high as 16 months in state prison. Parents are also liable for any damage or injuries caused by their children using fireworks.”

Oh, good grief. As one user who identified themselves as Bruce Wayne (real name, I’m sure) said in the comments, “God you guys are all such crybabies.”

Well, not everyone in Los Angeles County, as you can see from the video. In fact, they seem to love their freedom, even if the authorities aren’t willing to let them have it.

What this showed, perhaps more than anything, is how these kind of bans don’t work. California has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation. There are still plenty of criminals running amok with firearms. Fireworks are illegal in L.A. County, but patriots were still able to find a way to set them off.

The biggest shame is that these patriots are turned into criminals by the nanny state. Then again, to the British, the signatories of the Declaration of Independence were criminals, too. Keep that spirit of rebellion alive, Los Angeles.

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C. Douglas Golden is a writer who splits his time between the United States and Southeast Asia. Specializing in political commentary and world affairs, he's written for Conservative Tribune and The Western Journal since 2014.
C. Douglas Golden is a writer who splits his time between the United States and Southeast Asia. Specializing in political commentary and world affairs, he's written for Conservative Tribune and The Western Journal since 2014. Aside from politics, he enjoys spending time with his wife, literature (especially British comic novels and modern Japanese lit), indie rock, coffee, Formula One and football (of both American and world varieties).
Birthplace
Morristown, New Jersey
Education
Catholic University of America
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Topics of Expertise
American Politics, World Politics, Culture




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