CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Fireworks “wars” are now illegal in Clarksville, and some City Council members now seem inclined to take the matter further and ban fireworks altogether in the city.
The City Council on Thursday night made it illegal to discharge fireworks into or out of a motor vehicle or to throw fireworks at a person, group of people or building.
The vote was unanimous, 13-0.
The ordinance was proposed by Ward 6 City Councilwoman Wanda Smith, who said it was necessary following a series of firework-related injuries over the July 4 holiday weekend. Smith specifically referred to “firework wars,” in which individuals launch fireworks at one another.
According to Smith, Clarksville-Montgomery County 911 Center received 670 firework-related 911 calls between May 15 and July 11, almost twice as many as last year. Smith also referenced a home in the 700 block of Ford Street that was destroyed on June 29. Clarksville Fire Rescue believes the damage to have been caused by fireworks.
Ordinance 8-2020-21 would expand City Code section 10-218. The fine for violations would be $50 and court costs as well as any other charges associated with the act, such as assault or arson.
During discussion of the ordinance, Councilman Ron Erb said it’s time for Clarksville to decide whether it’s an actual city or a small town, and if it’s a city it needs to act like one and ban fireworks. He cited an experience he had last year in which a firework was shot into his home, setting a fire.
He also cited the many military veterans in Clarksville who suffer PTSD and are traumatized by fireworks explosions.