Las Vegas Criminal Defense Blog

Last week a simple traffic stop in North Las Vegas led authorities to discover various locations throughout the valley selling illegal fireworks in contravention of Nevada fireworks law. Police even found an 18-wheeler containing illegal fireworks. Authorities believe the fireworks had been trafficked in from out of state.

Nevada fireworks law makes it a crime to sell, possess or use any type of fireworks in Clark County with very limited exception. In the week prior to July Fourth licensed vendors may sell Safe-N-Sane variety fireworks. But these fireworks become illegal at midnight on the morning of July 5th.

It's also illegal to bring fireworks into Clark County that had been obtained legally elsewhere. Police sometimes set up traffic stops on Blue Diamond Road to check for motorists smuggling in fireworks from Nye County, where it's legal to sell fireworks. People discovered with illegal fireworks may be cited and even arrested.

For more on this story go to: http://www.ktnv.com/news/local/124845764.html

According to the Clark County Fire Department, Fourth of July is their second busiest day of the year after New Year's Eve due to illegal fireworks. Often small misfires can result in burns, brush fires and even house fires. And Las Vegas's dry, windy desert climate can turn a small fire into a massive disaster in a matter of seconds.

Nevada fireworks law makes it a crime to buy, possess or transport any fireworks that rocket, explode, or move from where they're ignited. The only legal fireworks in Nevada bear the Safe-N-Sane emblem, and they can be legally sold and purchased in fire department-approved booths throughout Clark County between June 28th and July 4th. They also may not be used outside the week leading up to July 4th.

Even though licensed vendors in Nye County and Moapa County can legally sell non-Safe-n-Sane fireworks there, it's still a violation of Nevada fireworks law to transport them into Clark County. If you're caught with illegal fireworks in Nevada, law enforcement will seize them and may cite or arrest you for a misdemeanor. Maximum penalties for violating Nevada fireworks law include up to $1,000 in fines and/or a jail term of up to six months.