FIREWORKS MAY BE SOLD BEGINNING FRIDAY

Bottle rockets, Roman candles, firecrackers, sparklers, fountains and more.

Local fireworks retailers are raising their red, white and blue-striped tents to kick off the annual fireworks season Friday. But they can't reap the patriotic payoffs until they obtain proper licenses from state, county and city offices.

State statute requires all stand operators to have a seasonal fireworks license and a Missouri retail sales-tax license. Seasonal state licenses cost $25 and can be obtained at the Division of Fire Safety at 1709 Industrial Drive, Jefferson City, Mo. 65109. State licenses are effective from June 20 to July 10.

If someone is operating without a state license, he or she can be prosecuted for a class B misdemeanor and could have their license pulled for up to three years, said Jim Wilson, the state fire marshal's deputy chief.

County merchant licenses are also effective from June 20 to July 10 and cost $25 per location.

Applications for licenses must be filled out with the stand owner's name, address, name of business and the name of who is going to operate the stand, said Harold Kuehle, county collector.

County licenses are available at the county collector's office in the Administrative Building, 1 Barton Square, in Jackson, or in the Cape Girardeau office in the Courthouse Annex, 44 N. Lorimier St.

Separate city licenses to sell fireworks are required in Jackson and Cape Girardeau. Even though state and county licenses are effective for three weeks, city licenses are good from June 20 to July 4.

A Jackson license costs $25 per location and can be obtained at City Hall, 101 Court St. A Cape Girardeau license costs $10 per location and is available at City Hall, 401 Independence St.

"Inspectors will be checking on all the fireworks stands to make sure they have the necessary licenses," Kuehle said.

In Cape Girardeau, stand owners who lack the proper licenses could face 90 days in jail and a fine up to $500, and they could be prohibited from selling fireworks for two years, said Michael Miller, city manager.

Mary Lowry, Jackson city clerk, pointed out that fireworks can only be sold from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. between June 20 and July 3. On July 4, they can be sold from 8 a.m. until midnight.

The same is true in Cape Girardeau.

In addition to licenses, state regulations require safety guidelines to be followed when selling the fireworks, Wilson said.

The require that fireworks stands operate beyond certain distances from open flames, smoking, flammable materials and businesses that sell gasoline. Also, fireworks should not be displayed under a glass in direct sunlight.

Wilson also stressed safety guidelines for consumers.

"The biggest thing for the consumer is that there should be more parental involvement," he said. "Fireworks are very unforgiving things: They don't burn; they go off."