One can state that there ….
One can state that there is an ordinance against setting off fireworks all they want, quote the text and all, but unless tickets are actually written and fines required to be paid, the ordinance (for this or anything else) is worse than meaningless.
Having ordinances or laws, that are known to exist, but rarely if ever enforced, leads people to ignore that one, and many others. It’s the same as the parent that says for 20 straight times “if you do that again I’ll…” and never follows through, or worse still finally does follow through, not because it’s the stated and logical outcome of the behavior (which would be constructive) but through exasperation or anger, which teaches the lesson that consequences are arbitrary, and based on emotion, not as a response of an action. For this and many others.. enforce the ordinance (or law) or be honest and repeal it. [ Editor’s Note: It does seem to be one of the least enforced ordinances in the city, expecially in Marion, where it’s actually against the law to shoot fireworks at all, as opposed to West Memphis, where you are allowed to shoot them on specified dates within specified hours. I can assure you as someone who has lived in Marion for virtually my whole life, people have and will light up fireworks all over the city this Fourth of July season. The only thing that might put a damper on it is if this hot, dry spell keeps up and there’s a burn ban put in place. That happened a few years ago and if I recall correctly, it was pretty well enforced. For the most part, I stand by the idea that fireworks are an ingrained part of how we Americans celebrate our independence, and I am not among those in favor of getting rid of them.
I get the argument that they are a disruption for some people and pets, but it really is only once a year ( twice I guess, if you count New Year’s Eve). And I think the police have more important ordinances to focus on enforcing… like how many chickens you can own in city limits, or cracking down on Marion residents using their homes as AirBnBs or keeping the kids from riding Daddy’s golf cart on the street…]
