Fayette council bans sale, possession and use of high-power aerial fireworks

The sale, possession and use of high-powered aerial fireworks are prohibited in Fayette County after a vote of the Urban County Council on Thursday night.

On a 12-0 vote, council banned the high-powered fireworks that have been legal on the Fourth of July for the past two years.

The law would not affect large fireworks displays at events such as the city's Fourth of July celebration or Lexington Legends baseball games. So-called novelty fireworks such as fountains, sparklers and smoke bombs will still be legal.

Violators of the ban will pay stiff fines.

The penalty for illegally buying or denoting disallowed fireworks will be $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third. Companies caught selling fireworks will be fined $2,000 and face six months of jail time.

This story was originally published September 13, 2012 at 7:01 PM with the headline "Fayette council bans sale, possession and use of high-power aerial fireworks."