Massachusetts: Are fireworks legal?
Massachusetts bans all consumer fireworks, including sparklers, for private persons.
State law bars selling, possessing, using or exploding fireworks, and the definition names sparklers along with firecrackers, Roman candles and rockets. The only exceptions are permitted public displays run by licensed operators, signal flares, and caps for toy guns. Possession or use can bring a fine of $10 to $100, and selling can bring a fine of up to $1,000, up to a year in jail, or both. Police must seize illegal fireworks they find.
What the law says
No person shall sell, or keep or offer for sale, or have in his possession, or under his control, or use, or explode ... firecrackers, cherry bombs, silver salutes, M–80's, torpedoes, sky-rockets, Roman candles, sparklers, rockets
Sources
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, § 39 Official · malegislature.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, Office of the State Fire Marshal
- Website
- mass.gov
How bordering states compare
- Connecticut Sparklers and ground fireworks onlyConnecticut bans fireworks except non-explosive, non-aerial sparklers and fountains, which people 16 and older may buy and use.
- New Hampshire Aerial fireworks allowedNew Hampshire allows adults 21 and older to use consumer fireworks, including bottle rockets, unless their town has voted to ban them.
- New York Sparklers and ground fireworks onlyNew York allows only sparklers and fountains, and only outside New York City and counties that banned them; aerial and exploding fireworks are illegal.
- Rhode Island Sparklers and ground fireworks onlyRhode Island allows ground-based and hand-held sparkling devices for people 16 and older, but aerial consumer fireworks require a permit.
- Vermont Consumer fireworks bannedVermont bans consumer fireworks for private use; only small sparklers and novelties are legal without a display permit.
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