Sheriff Greg Champagne and state Rep. Gary Smith went before the Louisiana House Committee seeking to pass a bill that would require residents to show proof of residence to buy fireworks and restrict sales to those who live in parishes where fireworks are illegal.
While the little noisemakers are many people’s favorite way to celebrate Independence Day, in St. Charles Parish, the selling or use of fireworks is prohibited.
That doesn’t stop people from buying them where they are readily available in neighboring parishes such as LaFourche or St. John, the two parishes that border St. Charles to the the west.
Sheriff’s Spokesman Capt. Pat Yoes told the Herald-Guide that the Sheriff is not a necessarily a proponent or an opponent on the issue of fireworks either way, it’s just his job to enforce the law.
“It’s become literally an impossible task for us to enforce,” Yoes said. “The stands are so close to the parish line in some instances that people are actually parking in St. Charles parish and walking over the line to purchase fireworks.”
While the bill did not pass, it was Champagne’s hope by testifying that at least some attention would be brought to the issue.
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