A report in the Altoona Mirror indicates that the Senate Rural Affairs and Agriculture committee passed legislation to amend the current laws that allow citizens to shoot off fireworks. Changes include a 150 barrier from homes and cars and persons must have knowledge of now to properly use fireworks. State senators from both sides of the aisle are concerned with potential jail time for offenders included in the bill. One Senator, Gene Yaw of Lycoming says people should be allowed to have fireworks, but not suffer criminal penalties if they are just celebrating. Senator Sharif Street of Philadelphia says that jail time is not necessary and seems excessive for fireworks.
