Although it will be legal to sell, buy and possess many types of fireworks in Georgia beginning July 1, do not expect to see the combustible commodities available on every street corner.
The legislation that legalized fireworks places limits on where they can be sold and created a licensing process for anyone who wishes to do so. The state Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner must approve any application to sell fireworks. As of Tuesday, an office spokeswoman said, only two of 205 applications had been approved, although many more are expected to gain permission by July 1.
The privilege of firing off Roman candles, aerial rockets and mortars will carry an extra cost, though. In addition to normal state and local sales taxes, fireworks will be subject to an additional 5 percent tax.
While the new law puts restrictions on how and where the fireworks can be sold, there are few limitations on where and when they can be used. You can’t set them off within 100 yards of a nuclear power plant or a gasoline station. Otherwise, lock and load.
As long as you’re at least 18 years old, you can fire away any time between 10 a.m. and midnight for most of the year and until 2 a.m. around New Year’s Day and the Fourth of July.
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