2011 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 51 — Trade and commerce
RS 51:651 — Sale or use of permissible fireworks

§651. Sale or use of permissible fireworks

A. It shall be unlawful for any individual, firm, partnership, or corporation to possess, sell, or offer for sale or use within the state of Louisiana any pyrotechnics commonly known as fireworks other than the permissible fireworks. Permissible fireworks, formally known as Class "C" "common fireworks", consist of United States Department of Transportation classification codes UN 0336, 1.4G, or 1.4S and in addition includes "consumer fireworks" as defined by The Consumer Product Safety Commission and shall mean such articles of fireworks as are enumerated or may hereafter be enumerated by the United States Code of Federal Regulations: 49 CFR 173: Regulations of United States Department of Transportation for the transportation of explosives and other dangerous articles; 27 CFR 55: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms regulations of the commerce of explosives; and 16 CFR 1507: Consumer Product Safety Commission regulation of hazardous substances. In addition, any of the following enumerated devices shall also be permissible fireworks:

(1) Permissible fireworks spark showering devices, which include the following defined items:

(a) "Cone fountain": A cardboard or heavy paper cone containing not more than fifty grams of pyrotechnic composition. When more than one cone is mounted on a common base the total pyrotechnic composition may not exceed two hundred grams.

(b) "Cylindrical fountain": A cylindrical tube containing not more than seventy-five grams of pyrotechnic composition. When more than one tube is mounted on a common base, the total pyrotechnic composition may not exceed two hundred grams.

(c) "Flitter sparkler": A narrow paper tube attached to a stick or wire and filled with not more than five grams of pyrotechnic composition.

(d) "Ground spinner": A small device, which vents out of the orifice usually located on the side of the tube, composed of not more than twenty grams of pyrotechnic composition.

(e) "Illuminating torch" (either spike base or hand held): A cylindrical tube containing not more than one hundred grams of pyrotechnic composition. When more than one tube is mounted on a common base, the total pyrotechnic composition may not exceed two hundred grams.

(f) "Pyrotechnic wheel device": One or more drivers in the form of a wheel which may be attached to a post or a tree by means of a nail or string. Each driver may contain not more than sixty grams of pyrotechnic composition. No wheel may contain more than two hundred grams total of pyrotechnic composition.

(g) "Toy smoke device": A small plastic or paper item, containing not more than one hundred grams of pyrotechnic composition, that upon ignition produces white or colored smoke as the primary effect and is classed as 1.4G unless classed as 1.4S or is not regulated as explosives on the basis of examination and testing as specified in Part 173.56 of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.

(2) Permissible aerial devices shall include the following fireworks:

(a) "Helicopter aerial spinner": A spinning device composed of a tube attached to a propeller or blade, which shall contain not more than twenty grams of chemical composition.

(b) "Mine or shell": A tube device made of heavy cardboard or paper attached to a wooden or plastic base and containing not more than twenty grams of chemical composition plus not more than twenty grams of lift charge and not more than one hundred thirty milligrams of explosive composition per report. Total chemical composition, including lift charges, of any multiple tube device may not exceed two hundred grams.

(c) "Missile-type rocket": A device similar to a sky rocket in size, composition, and effect that uses fins rather than a stick for guidance and stability. Missiles shall not contain more than twenty grams of total chemical composition.

(d) "Roman candle": A tube device containing not more than twenty grams of chemical composition and not more than ten balls per tube.

(e) "Sky rockets" and "bottle rockets": Cylindrical tubes containing a total propellant charge each of more than four grams but less than twenty grams of chemical composition, a casing size of not less than five-eighths of an inch in outside diameter and a casing length of not less than two and seven-eighths inches, with an overall length of fifteen inches including the stick or greater length so as to assure stable flight, which shall be securely fastened by glue, staples, or wire or any other means which ensures the casing is securely attached to allow the stick to remain firmly attached during transportation, handling, and normal operation to the casing. Any sky rocket or bottle rocket which does not meet the requirements set forth in this Subsection shall be illegal.

(3) Permissible audible ground and audible aerial devices shall include the following fireworks:

(a) "Firecracker": An audible ground device wrapped in paper or contained within a cardboard tube which has an explosive composition of not more than fifty milligrams.

(b) "Multiple tube fireworks": Any audible aerial devices containing more than one cardboard tube, which shall not contain more than two hundred grams of total pyrotechnic composition, unless the tubes are securely attached to a wood or plastic base or other suitable base and the tubes are separate from each other on the base by a distance of at least half an inch (12.7 millimeters). The maximum total weight for any multiple tube device shall not exceed five hundred grams of pyrotechnic composition.

(4) Any component of any device enumerated as permissible fireworks in this Subsection that is designed to produce an audible effect other than a whistle shall not contain pyrotechnic composition in excess of two grains in weight, excluding propelling or expelling charges and no charge shall exceed one hundred thirty milligrams of explosive composition per report.

B. Any person who violates the provisions of this Section for the first time shall be fined two hundred fifty dollars by the fire marshal. For a second violation, the fire marshal shall fine the violator five hundred dollars. For a third violation within a thirty-six-month period, the fire marshal shall impose a penalty of no less than one thousand dollars and shall suspend or revoke the permit of the violator. Any permit suspended or revoked for a third violation shall not be renewed or reissued for a period of twenty-four months, and any person whose name appears on a permit which has been suspended or revoked shall not be allowed to apply for a new permit for a period of twenty- four months. Any person sanctioned for violating the provisions of this Section shall be entitled to reasonable notice and a hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

C. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to fireworks possessed, stored, or warehoused within the state of Louisiana for distribution and sale outside of the state of Louisiana.

Acts 1958, No. 63, §1. Amended by Acts 1960, No. 424, §1; Acts 1981, No. 928, §1; Acts 1984, No. 918, §1, eff. July 20, 1984; Acts 2001, No. 667, §1, eff. June 25, 2001.