Mayor Adrian Fenty held a news conference yesterday to announce his support for emergency legislation that would ban the sale and use of all consumer fireworks in the District. The bill is set to be introduced to the D.C. Council on Tuesday.

Setting off fireworks in the city during the July 4th holiday has long been a tradition in certain District neighborhoods, but has also been a source of safety concerns, not to mention noise complaints. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) introduced a similar measure last year after six people were injured due to fireworks.

Nine D.C. Council members will have to vote in favor of the emergency measure next week for the ban to take effect. If it passes, fireworks would be made illegal well before the 4th of July.

Photo by ellievanhoutte