Fireworks Chatter

 There's a national discussion underway in Germany....over the idea of banning fireworks on Silvester (New Year's Eve).  

So for literally a century....it's been a tradition in Germany to buy fireworks and at midnight....on New Year's Eve....to spend time firing them off.  

Prior to Covid coming along, I'd generally say that about 20-percent of Germans were against the idea....mostly because of the general noise, potential for damage, and their pets being aggravated with the 'blast' noise.  Doctors?  They were mostly against the use of fireworks because of injuries caused (lost fingers, etc). 

Once Covid arrived (2020)....it was determined that state-by-state....no fireworks would be allowed to be sold, and thus fireworks would be halted.  

I'll just say for the record.....tens of thousands of Germans crossed the border into Poland and bought illegal fireworks for December of 2020 and 2021.  

There's a discussion underway to have a sixteen state 'rule' where fireworks go away entirely.  Yes, total ban.

Public support?  The news media hints that a majority exists.  

How this would work for the 'rule'?  Well....you'd have to have the Interior Ministry qualify 'fireworks' of various types illegal, and allow some path for commercial fireworks companies to exist (the guys hired for city-supported events).  Then you'd expect a court challenge.

My humble thoughts?  Among German guys age 15 to 30?  Probably fewer than 3-percent would support a ban.  Among Germans over the age of 65....it's probably near 90-percent who support a ban.  

Personally, on my list of a top-one-hundred things to worry about....fireworks isn't on the list, and I doubt that it'd even make my top 1,000 worries.  I might even put wolves being loose as a bigger worry....or some stupid kids gluing themselves to the autobahn pavement a bigger deal.  

Trying to trigger a ban before December 31st of this year?  With people hyped up on the energy and heating business....I just don't see how you elevate this so high in such a brief period of time left.  

So to a final observation here....if you banned this practice, then I don't see such a big necessity for people meeting in public on Silvester at 11:55 PM.  You might as well tell everyone to just stay home and not gather up at midnight. Same for consumption of booze/alcohol at midnight....that practice should be halted as well.