Nothing says Fourth of July prep like a last-minute dash for burgers, chips and a few fireworks to light up the night. But as Denise Huntsman and her kids stocked up for the holiday, they were hoping to keep the celebration budget-friendly.
Huntsman and her two kids, Jace and Deegan, made a pit stop in Moapa, Nevada, to snag some celebratory fireworks. They spent under $150 on what they were repeatedly told were “safe and sane” fireworks and, more importantly, thought they were legal in Clark County.
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“I said I only want to buy legal fireworks,” Huntsman told KTNV Las Vegas. “We also talked to the lady at the register when I was purchasing the fireworks, and she said, ‘Oh yeah, they’re totally legal.’ Three separate people told me that safe and sane are legal in Clark County."
But barely a minute after driving off, sirens filled her rearview mirror. She was pulled over and cited for purchasing illegal explosives and slapped with a $500 fine due within 15 days.
Fireworks are sparking confusion and fines
Huntsman said she felt targeted, as if she was being watched and set up to fail. When officers pulled her over, she pleaded to return the fireworks, not realizing the purchase was illegal.
“’Ma’am, you’re not going anywhere with these fireworks — these illegal explosive devices,’” she recalled one officer saying. “So I just gave them the fireworks."
Under Clark County rules, the only consumer fireworks residents are allowed to purchase are those labeled “safe and sane,” and only during the designated sales period from June 28 to July 4. But Huntsman isn’t the only Las Vegas resident who says they were misled.
Errol Aiken, a second-grade teacher, was cited after buying fireworks from a store in Pahrump — a store that had even sent him a promotional coupon. Minutes after leaving, Metro officers pulled him over, confiscated his fireworks and handed him the same $500 citation.
“I was asking employees, ‘Is it legal? Is it legal? Is it legal?’" said Errol. "No comment to the police officer, but then I thought, why would they let me out of the store if I was clearly asking, ‘Is it legal?’"
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Here’s how to stay safe
Following the complaints, Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill told KTNV he asked Metro Sheriff Kevin McMahill to stop sending undercover officers into fireworks stores in Pahrump.
While families like the Huntsmans and the Aikens say they followed the rules and still got hit with steep fines, Clark County officials aren’t backing down. During a Thursday press conference, law enforcement and city leaders made it clear: if your fireworks cross into the county and aren’t explicitly legal, expect consequences.
"The stuff that’s sold in other counties is not legal. Don’t bring it back," LVMPD Undersheriff Andrew Walsh.
According to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data, there were an estimated 10,200 fireworks-related injuries in 2022, and nearly three-quarters happened within just one month of the Fourth of July. While it’s reasonable that fireworks need to be regulated, everyday Americans shouldn’t be misled when trying to purchase what they believe are safe, legal options to celebrate.
When planning a light show for the next holiday, make sure you don’t come to an explosive end. Before buying anything, check the exact rules in your jurisdiction.
If you’re unsure or if the rules are as hazy as the air after a finale show, skip the DIY display and head to your nearest public fireworks event. Cities often host free shows at local parks or fairgrounds, and they’re usually safer, stress-free and budget-friendly.
For now, both Huntsman and Aiken plan to contest their citations, and Metro has agreed to review what happened.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
