Security May Curb 4th of July Fireworks Shows
Small towns across America could be without fireworks this Fourth of July if federal agencies can’t settle on new homeland security limits on train shipments.
“It’s getting stupid. Do they really think a terrorist will use a firecracker to blow up a building?” said Don Lantis, of North Sioux City, S.D., whose family-owned pyrotechnics company puts on 300 to 400 shows every Independence Day.
Because of uncertainty over how to comply with the government’s anti-terror laws, railways have refused to handle fireworks, cutting off the main method of transport for shipments arriving at West Coast ports.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
