To the Editor,

Once again I must disagree entirely with the Beacon's editorial in last week's paper headlined, "Open season on illicit fireworks must end."

 Yes, there are state statutes that outlaw setting off aerial fireworks by private individuals. And, yes, those laws are seldom enforced. But the ill effects of the failure to enforce such laws were magnified greatly in the Beacon's editorial.

 As a retired soldier who served for 42 years on active duty and in the reserve components, to include combat service, I disagree that huge numbers of former military members experience trauma around loud, bright fireworks. In fact, every single soldier and former soldier I know--and I know hundreds--enjoy these fireworks. Not one, to include those who have engaged in heavy combat, has voiced objections. Has the writer of the Beacon's editorial ever served in a combat zone?  It's highly unlikely. Yet they speak with authority for combat-experienced soldiers?

How about household pets? Yes, some are terrified of loud fireworks. Many, perhaps most, are not. Our dog is totally indifferent to fireworks. Many of my neighbors' dogs are equally indifferent or seem only slightly concerned. For those dogs that react adversely to fireworks, there are remedies, such as putting the dog in a covered crate and playing music or TV loud enough to drown out some of the fireworks. Also, Xanax works well for dogs that are sensitive to noise. Regardless, fireworks generally make no more noise than thunderclaps in a heavy thunderstorm. Whatever a dog owner does during thunderstorms can be done during fireworks.

What about the argument that fireworks cause injuries? When misused they of course can cause injuries. However, considering the tens of thousands of people who fire off such fireworks every year in Rhode Island, the paucity of reported injuries shows that injuries are less prevalent among fireworks users than among drivers going to and from work.

Rhode Island was founded on the principle of independence. Our state has demonstrated such independence again and again. We were the first to renounce King George months before the Declaration of Independence was signed. We were the last to ratify the U.S. Constitution, insisting first on the promise of amendments that would create a Bill of Rights. And, we are one of the few states that allow individuals the independence to set off fireworks to celebrate the anniversary of our independence.

If the Independent Man who sits atop the State House were a sentient being, he would likely set off fireworks on July 4th.

Should fireworks be limited to a three day period--the 3d, 4th, and 5th of July--and limited to the hours of sunset to 11 p.m., yes! 

Our state enforces so many unnecessary regulations already. Let's not ruin the Independence Day celebrations of the majority of our state's citizens by strictly enforcing fireworks laws outside of reasonable day and time limitations.

Lonnie Barham

Warwick