Del. committee releases bill to tighten fireworks sales, require retailer registration

The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee on Oct. 12 voted to release House Bill 63, sponsored by Representative Wilson Anton, a bill that would tighten state oversight of consumer fireworks sales, add advertising requirements and require retailer registration with the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The bill would require sellers of consumer fireworks to register and obtain permits, create modest fees to support inspections, and expand advertising rules so consumers are better informed about when fireworks are legal to use and buy in Delaware, Representative Wilson Anton said. "I even did a little bit of reconnaissance and went over the border to Pennsylvania and tested it out to see what it's like to buy fireworks," Anton said, describing constituent-concerned enforcement gaps.

The measure responds to safety concerns and a pattern of fireworks-related injuries and fires, officials said. John Rupp, Delaware’s state fire marshal, told the committee the intent is educational rather than punitive. "We're not…