Majority still in favor of ban on fireworks for private individuals, supporters of ‘cabinet parties’ divided | Domestic

No fewer than 55 percent are in favor of a fireworks ban in their own municipality, 71 percent want fireworks-free zones at hospitals and animal shelters, for example. Looking at political beliefs, people have different views on such a general fireworks ban, the researchers conclude.

The supporters of the four parties that appear to be in the process of forming a cabinet are divided. Of the NSC voters (Pieter Omtzigt’s New Social Contract), two-thirds (66 percent) believe that there should be a complete ban on fireworks. “I am in favor of maintaining traditions, but on the other hand, many people and animals experience great inconvenience and nuisance from fireworks. Seen in that light, the tradition should be interpreted differently, more future-proof,” says one of them. “Look at all serious incidents and the costs of aggression, destruction, medical assistance and so on. Who pays for all this misery? It’s ridiculous that this is still accepted,” argues another.

Just over half (54 percent) of VVD voters are in favor of a complete fireworks ban. “I would appreciate it if fireworks were only set off on New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. and no further, but because no one adheres to this, a complete ban,” explains a voter. An opponent believes that everyone should be free to make that choice for themselves. “But in the event of disorder, strict action must be taken. There is no point in making up all kinds of rules to make fireworks illegal, as you can see from the fact that many people go to Poland, Germany and Belgium to buy fireworks.”

The PVV voters are in dire straits, with just under half in favor (45 percent). “I am completely in favor of such a ban. In recent years, fireworks have been set off so heavily that they regularly cause destruction. And not unimportant: our care providers are also pelted with it every year.” Another voter disagrees. “Everything is already being taken from us. This is a wonderful tradition. However, I am strongly against illegal firecrackers, that has no point.”

Of BBB voters, only a little more than a third (37 percent) want fireworks to be banned. “It just has to be possible. People who cannot handle fireworks well should be severely punished, for example with fines,” says one. Another voter reasons: “We saw during corona how effective a ban was. Lighting fireworks is part of Dutch culture and banning them leads nowhere other than foreign fireworks traders running away with the loot. The consequence of illegal fireworks is that control is lost and the situation becomes even more dangerous.”

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Just over three-quarters (77 percent) think it is a good idea to include heavy, illegal fireworks under the weapons law. This would mean that owning cobras and mortar bombs, for example, would be considered possession of weapons.

A majority of the House of Representatives supported a motion on this subject by VVD last summer, together with CDA, PVV and BBB. According to the Liberals, the change in the law should mean that the police may preventively search for the possession of heavy fireworks if there is a suspicion. A mayor will also be given the authority to close a building if loud firecrackers are found. For example, possession of a cobra – which can be as powerful as a hand grenade – is already a punishable offense. But because the police are now not allowed to preventively search for illegal fireworks, the firecrackers often remain out of the picture.

Heavy fireworks are currently only considered a weapon if someone actually uses them as such. Just over half of the participants in the survey (56 percent) want heavier penalties for illegal fireworks, including for the ‘lighter’ stuff.

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More than 32,000 members of EenVandaag’s opinion panel participated in the fireworks research. A quarter of the panel members are afraid of fireworks, with women appearing to be slightly more anxious (39 percent). Two-thirds of the research panel adjust their own behavior around New Year’s Eve because of fireworks, with women doing this more often (75 percent).

“All that banging is driving me crazy. Firecrackers, screaming arrows at all times and days of the week. Miserable. Our dog can’t stand it either. I have to do everything to keep the animal calm,” says a participant in the study. “I take the car several times a day to a rural area to walk my dog ​​and I check on my horses extra often around New Year’s Day,” explains another participant. Another says: “I only let the cats outside on New Year’s Day in the morning and then I keep them inside. They are safe there. The days before, I also keep them indoors in the evenings.”

People without pets also take precautions, it turns out. “I stay at home as much as possible and go to bed on New Year’s Eve at 10 p.m. with earplugs and a sleeping pill. The worst night of the year!” says one. Some call lighting fireworks ‘life-threatening’. “I have a fire extinguisher in the house and close the curtains and blinds completely. I keep my pets indoors for days in advance.”

Others no longer cycle in the last days of the year ‘because young people often throw fireworks at cyclists’ or leave the car at home because they find it ‘scary’ to drive among ‘the fireworks throwers’.

Of the panel members, almost 3,900 people indicated that they plan to purchase fireworks this year. About a third of these (also) buy fireworks in Germany or Belgium, or illegally in the Netherlands. Most people do this because it is cheaper across the border or because they think it is nicer and bigger.