What Are The Fireworks Laws In Shreveport and Bossier City

When you're getting ready to celebrate in the Shreveport and Bossier City area, the idea of fireworks might come up. Whether its the Fourth of July, a graduation, New Years Eve, Christmas, or various other moments to celebrate. But before you do light that (Roman) candle, you should probably review the laws around Louisiana. Especially in Shreveport and Bossier City.

Fireworks Laws In Louisiana

Looking at the state overall, the law firm of Dudley DeBosier broke down all of the Louisiana laws to form an easy to follow list. Reviewing that list, here are some of the major points you need to watch for:

Permitted Fireworks and Sales

• Legal Sales Periods: State-licensed retailers are permitted to sell fireworks only during two specific periods each year:

• Noon on June 16th through midnight on July 5th.
• Noon on December 15th through midnight on January 1st.

• Minimum Purchase Age: A person must be at least 15 years old to legally purchase fireworks.
• Legal Consumer Fireworks: Louisiana allows the sale and use of consumer-grade fireworks, which fall under the U.S. Department of Transportation classification UN 0336 or 1.4G. This generally includes items like fountains, cone fountains, flitter sparklers, ground spinners, Roman candles, and certain small aerial devices such as bottle rockets and sky rockets that meet specific size requirements.

Prohibited Fireworks

• Specifically Banned by Name: State law makes it illegal to possess, sell, or use the following fireworks:

• Cherry Bombs
• Tubular Salutes
• Two-Inch American-Made Salutes

• Banned by Size and Type: The following are also prohibited based on their dimensions and classification:

• Firecrackers with casings that are longer than 1 ½ inches or wider than ¼ inch in diameter.
• Repeating Bombs and Aerial Bombs.
• Torpedoes that are larger than ⅜ of an inch in diameter.

• Ban on Aerial Luminaries: It is illegal to sell, own, or use aerial luminaries, which are often called:

• Sky Lanterns
• Chinese Lanterns
• Sky Candles
• Fire Balloons

Fireworks Laws In the City of Shreveport

In Shreveport, there are specific laws you need to keep in mind as well. Some of these laws do overlap what the state's laws say. But that could be necessary to have local law enforcement responsive to some of these issues:

Permitted Times for Fireworks:

• Independence Day: Fireworks can be sold and discharged from noon on June 25th to 10:00 p.m. on July 5th.
• Christmas/New Year's: Fireworks can be sold and discharged from noon on December 15th to 10:00 p.m. on January 1st.
• Daily Curfew: It is illegal to set off fireworks between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
• New Year's Eve Exception: On New Year's Eve, fireworks are permitted until 1:00 a.m. on January 1st.

Prohibited Fireworks:

• Bottle rockets and sky rockets are illegal within the city limits of Shreveport.

Safety and Other Regulations:

• It is against the law to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 15.
• Fireworks cannot be discharged within 1,000 feet of hospitals, churches, schools, public buildings, or places where fireworks are sold.
• It is recommended to always have a water source, such as a bucket of water or a hose, readily available when using fireworks.
• Never point or throw fireworks at people, animals, or buildings.
• Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult when handling fireworks.

Fireworks Laws In Bossier City, Louisiana

Just over the Red River, Bossier City has some things you should review as well. Again, there's some overlap here, but that probably has something to do with local law enforcement officers' ability to police the matter. Here are some Bossier City laws:

• Dates and Times: Fireworks are permitted from June 28th to July 5th, between the hours of 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM.
• Prohibited Actions:
• Throwing fireworks into vehicles or at groups of people.
• Igniting fireworks on sidewalks, streets, or alleys.
• Prohibited Locations:
• Near schools, theaters, or public places of assembly.
• Within 1,000 feet of hospitals or infirmaries.
• Banned Fireworks: The possession, sale, or use of bottle rockets and certain types of sparklers is illegal.

So its not illegal to enjoy your celebration with fireworks, even in Shreveport and Bossier, but you do have to follow the rules. Just make sure you're doing your celebration right, and you won't have anything to worry about.