Celebrating Independence Day Safely -- And Legally

The 2012 Fireworks Advisory addresses the sale, possession and use of fireworks in Wisconsin.

MADISON — As the State of Wisconsin and the rest of the nation celebrate this year's Fourth of July holiday, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen would like to remind revelers of the State's laws regarding the sale, possession and use of fireworks in Wisconsin.

The advisory for local law enforcement summarizes Wisconsin fireworks law, answers common questions and corrects common misunderstandings about the law. It explains what's legal and illegal without a permit, conditions for a valid permit, penalties and enforcement. The applicable statute is Wisconsin Statute § 167.10.

The statutes do not give the Department of Justice direct authority to enforce the fireworks law. Enforcement responsibility and authority rest with local law enforcement and district attorneys, or municipal prosecutors in the case of local ordinance violations.

Local ordinances also may regulate fireworks and may be stricter than state law but cannot be less strict. This advisory discusses only state law, so some devices or materials described as legal in this advisory may be prohibited by a local ordinance.

(Note: This year's advisory is unchanged from last year's.)

The advisory is available online at the following link: