Branson Aldermen explode fireworks expansion plan

The Branson Board of Aldermen unanimously decided at a special meeting not to extend the allowable number of days for fireworks discharge within Branson City limits during the 4th of July celebration. 

The Staff Report for this change said, “The fire department desires to amend the International Fire Code to expand the dates for the community to discharge 1.4G fireworks (consumer fireworks). The ordinance within the amended fire code currently allows consumer fireworks to be discharged on July 3 and 4 between the hours of 7 a.m. and midnight. This proposed amendment would expand the dates to July 2 through 6 (five days).

“This date expansion is intended to support the allowable sales of consumer fireworks in the State of Missouri from June 20 through July 10. The fire department supports this change as staff focuses on educating the public to ‘Celebrate Safely’” with fireworks safety messaging throughout the allowable sales time period.

“This amendment change for the dates supports timing as the holiday falls on or adjacent to a weekend and the desire to support events including the 250th birthday of the United States in 2026.”

Immediately after the Staff Report and before the public’s comment on the change, Ward 1 Alderman Marshall Howden said that the public response from his constituents was overwhelmingly against the change. One by one, all the remaining aldermen gave the same type of response.

The current regulations permit the discharge of consumer fireworks from 7 a.m. on July 3 to 12 a.m. on July 4, two days. The proposed change would have allowed fireworks discharges from 7 a.m. on July 2 through 12 a.m. on July 6, five days.

Among other things, Ward II Alderman Glenn Schulz took issue with why the time limit for fireworks differs from that permitted in the city’s noise ordinance. 58-262(c) of Branson Municipal Code states, “Except as otherwise permitted by special event permit, or other action of the board, or as otherwise provided in this Code, it shall be unlawful for any person to play, use or otherwise allow the playing or use of any sound-producing device or allow any other noise source from private property in which the sound emission can be heard beyond the property lines between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.….” 5611.1 of the Code states,” Fireworks 1.4G (formerly known as Class C) may be discharged by the general public on July 3 and 4 from 7 a.m. until 12 midnight only.”

While addressing Alderman Schulz’s concern, Ward III Alderman Ruth Denham points out that the difference is because the fireworks ordinance contains a specific controlled exception to the noise ordinance enabling the firing of fireworks by the public to celebrate the 4th of July. 58-262(c) of the Code says its noise provisions apply, “Except as otherwise permitted by special event permit, or other action of the board.” Section 5611.1 extending the hours until 12 a.m., is an “other action of the board.”

No one supported the change during the public comment period on the proposal. The reasons for not doing so included the noise problems of animals, veterans, and others whose health is affected by noise. One speaker also pointed out that the purpose of fireworks on the 4th of July is to celebrate and honor America and those who have sacrificed for Her, and the current ordinance does that.