The NYPD is asking anyone who sees illegal fireworks being sold or ignited to please call 911 immediately. Any information about caches or sells should be forwarded to 311 or 911.  Remember YOU could save someone’s life or prevent a serious injury. All cars will be kept confidential.

New York State’s Fireworks Law

Section 270 of the state Penal Law governs the possession, sale and use of illegal fireworks.

“Fireworks” include “any blank cartridge; blank cartridge pistol or toy cannon in which explosives are used, firecrackers, sparklers, or other combustible or explosive of like construction.”

“Dangerous Fireworks” include “any fireworks capable of causing serious physical injury and which are: firecrackers containing more than 50 milligrams of any explosive substance, torpedoes, skyrockets and rockets such as Roman candles, bombs, sparklers more than ten inches in length or one-fourth of an inch in diameter, or chasers including all devices which dart or travel about the surface of the ground during discharge.”

Under the law, fireworks do NOT include railroad or marine flares, or toy devices that use paper caps containing .25 grains or less of explosive compound. Such devices must be designed so that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap when in place for use.

A person who possesses, uses, or explodes any fireworks or dangerous fireworks is guilty of a violation.

A person who offers, exposes for sale, sells or furnishes fireworks or dangerous fireworks to another person is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor; when the value of the fireworks is more than $500, the provider is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

A person who offers, exposes for sale, sells or furnishes fireworks or dangerous fireworks to a person under age 18 is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

A person who has been convicted of a fireworks violation during the previous five years and who offers, sells or furnishes fireworks to a person under age 18 is guilty of a Class E felony.

(YWN Desk – NYC)