Bloomberg: Keep Sparkler Ban— Because of Terrorists

Urges Cuomo to veto law allowing sale of sparklers ahead of July 4
By Ruth Brown,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 26, 2013 11:48 AM CDT
Bloomberg: Keep Sparkler Ban— Because of Terrorists
Won't somebody think of the children?   (AP Photo/Joel Page)

New York Mayor Bloomberg is urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to veto a newly passed bill that would allow the sale of sparklers and similar small novelty fireworks like toy caps outside of New York City, in case ... terrorists use them to make bombs. Even though sales of sparklers remains illegal in NYC, he worries they could be used to make a device similar to the one made by the failed Times Square Bomber, because he had bought packs of firecrackers containing gun powder—which isn't even in sparklers, the New York Post, reports. (You may also remember that his bomb didn't actually work.)

"While this bill excludes New York City, legalizing these devices everywhere else in the state would, as a practical matter, have the same effect in the five boroughs," said the mayor’s state legislative director in a memo. "A recent attempt to harm innocent lives provides a frightening example of how legally purchased ... fireworks can cause dramatic harm and even kill." (More sparklers stories.)

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