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City to enforce ban on fireworks displays

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By Shelia Tomkins

With many July Fourth community celebrations cancelled due to COVID 19, Iowa retailers have noticed an increase in  the purchase of fireworks by individuals. 

Guttenberg Police Chief George Morteo reminds residents that the department will be enforcing the city's ban on the use of consumer display fireworks.

In 2017, the Iowa legislature legalized the sale of consumer-grade pyrotechnics by licensed dealers, but allowed local governments to regulate their use by establishing codes, rules or ordinances. 

The Guttenberg city council passed an ordinance in September 2017 making it illegal "for any person to use or explode consumer fireworks within the city."

In other words, Guttenberg residents can buy and possess fireworks in Iowa but cannot use them in the city limits.

The ordinance applies to first-class and second-class consumer display fireworks as defined by standards set by the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA). For a list of banned fireworks, visit the City of Guttenberg website, click on the "City Code Ordinances" link and go to Chapter 41.12 Fireworks.

The local fireworks ban does not apply to "novelties" as defined by the APA. Properly labeled items such as snakes, snappers and some sparklers fall into this category.

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