Leave fireworks to professionals

With having to deal with wildfires and fires in general, firefighters should not have to use their valuable time and resources putting out fires caused by people looking for a few minutes of entertainment with fireworks. It is high time to ban the private sale of fireworks and let professionals handle them in safe areas for people to enjoy.

Every year, house fires caused by fireworks hurt and kill people and animals, displace families and disrupt businesses.

Last year, over 20,000 complaints were made to authorities regarding illegal fireworks and fires. Structures were burned, people were hurt and animals ran from their homes out of fear, and many are still unaccounted for. Why should Animal Control, firefighters and Metro have to deal with this unnecessary issue every year?

Elected officials need to protect our community. It is what we expect them to do.