Buying fireworks despite being illegal

HINSDALE, NH (WWLP) - Some Massachusetts residents are crossing state lines to buy fireworks, which is illegal in their home state.

All fireworks, even sparklers are illegal in Massachusetts.

22News found several residents buying fireworks in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, where there are several stores.

The parking lots were littered with Connecticut and Massachusetts license plates.

Some were buying them to use out of state, however others say they were bringing them right back into the state. "No I'm not worried about getting caught, not a lot of people tell on you," said Anthony Degregorio, "they're fireworks, what's the big danger as long as you're not being dangerous with them."

If caught, Massachusetts residents face a fine of up to a hundred dollars and confiscation of their fireworks.

Michael Ellis says he's bringing some back with him to shoot off in Connecticut. He says while it may be illegal, he buys them because they stay safe. "After having done it for 7 years what we do is have all the fire extinguishers and soak down the surrounding woods and everything else, no house is really close," said Ellis.

Tom Allison is the Manager of Phantom Fireworks in Hinsdale, he says he sees people from all sorts of states come through his doors. "We sell fireworks that are legal in New Hampshire, and we trust our customers to follow any and all applicable laws where they're from," said Allison.

Residents still debate whether fireworks should be illegal at all. Those who support the current law say that fireworks are just too dangerous to be made available.