County
AG Sheds Light On Fireworks Opinion
June 28, 2017 
At the request of State Rep. MAtt Erpelding, the office of Idaho Attorney General issued a legal OPINION about fireworks which was released to the media by Boise Fire Chief Dennis Doan, a strong opponent of aerial fireworks.
Today Attorney General Lawrence Wasden released the following “clarification:”
“There’s been a considerable amount of confusion regarding a recent legal analysis my office prepared at the request of a state lawmaker. As a result, there are several points I would like to clarify.
1. In Idaho, the Office of the Attorney General is required by law to respond to requests for legal analysis from legislators. The letter containing the analysis was sent to the lawmaker June 21. It was made public by the Boise Fire Department Tuesday, June 27.
2. The analysis is simply a legal opinion on Idaho’s existing fireworks laws. It does not change any laws. It is not a ban, a ruling, a decision or a directive.
3. My office does not enforce Idaho’s fireworks laws. Enforcement is handled by county sheriffs, prosecutors, and city police departments.
4. Some law enforcement agencies may agree with the analysis and change their enforcement policies. Others may ignore it. I encourage these entities to review it and consult with their respective attorneys on how they should proceed.
5. I encourage consumers and fireworks retailers to contact their local police agencies to stay apprised of any changes in enforcement policies.”
The GUARDIAN has long noted the absurdity of selling “arson kits” to kids and then telling them not to use them in vacant lots. Even more absurd is the sale of the illegal aerial fireworks with a signed “waiver,” asking purchasers to agree to NOT use the fireworks in Idaho.
We see that as silly as a drug dealer getting releases from addicts promising not to ingest the illegal substances.
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Comments & Discussion
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Jun 28, 2017, 7:23 pm
This could get interesting.
If that kid who started the Tablerock fire, or his lawyer, are smart they should say that the fireworks vendor sold him the fireworks illegally and should also be held responsible for paying the cost of putting out the fire.
This will most likely be in court for years.