Fireworks banned in Danville; Other Virginia areas

The sky over Danville will light up with a professional display of red, white and blue fireworks this 4th of July.
They’ll be the *only* fireworks allowed in the city. 
The only way you can have consumer fireworks in Danville, is if you are approved for a special permit.
Danville city code reads, “it is a violation for any person to store…sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks.“
Police say the ban is aimed at preventing fireworks-related injuries and fires.
Lt. John Henderson, of the Danville Police Department says, “basically it’s for the good of our own residents, it’s not that we’re killjoys, we’re just looking out for the people.“
Police say even novelties, like sparklers, can be dangerous.
Daryl Hatcher, the Director of Public Safety in Franklin County says, “Those things can generate enough of a temperature where they can set your clothes on fire immediately and cause second and third degree burns with just a few seconds of contact with your skin.“
WSLS !0 On Your Side checked with the National Fire Protection Association, and it’s latest data shows that 92-hundred people across the United States were treated for fireworks-related injuries back in 2006.
Roanoke memorial treats on average, a dozen people every Fourth of July for the same type of injuries.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks are the riskiest consumer product sold.
It supports places like Danville that ban fireworks.
So much so, it’s formed an alliance to get other cities told stop the use of fireworks.   
According to the Virginia State Fire Marshall, these 16 areas ban fireworks.
Another 2, only allow sparklers.
Five states, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island have all banned consumer fireworks.
Lewis Ramey, who has lived in Danville his entire life, says July fourth and fireworks are synonomous and that the holiday without them seems un-American.
As for Danville’s ban, Ramey/Danville]
“I think it’s archaic, i think fireworks celebrations are part of the celebration.“
Mollie Halpern says: “A lot of people do like fireworks, so have you had any challenges against this law?“
Henderson says, “No, not that i recall.“
Unless that changes, Danville will leave fireworks in the hands of professionals.