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Wacky Law: Fireworks Fight Pests?

How is it exactly that Floridians are able to buy fireworks, even though they’re generally prohibited in the Sunshine State?

As the Tribune/Scripps Capital Bureau reports, it’s because of a unique loophole in Florida law that allows consumers to buy fireworks to scare away pests from farms and fish hatcheries. Customers have to sign a form swearing that’s the intended use, and state courts have ruled vendors don’t have to verify that it's true before selling bottle rockets and mortars. 

The 60-year-old law is the only one of its kind in the country, according to the story, which was published in the Tampa Tribune.

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.