With consumer grade fireworks legal again, many like Mangilao resident Salvador Avila are looking forward to lighting up the sky and making memories with family. 

Avila shared, “If we are able to get some. If it's on sale, we’re going to try to buy some and shoot it off the cliff. We live by the cliff so we will be shooting it out towards the ocean if we can get any.”

Now the question of where to buy them circulates. Avila said, “Where? I don't know yet. I'm hearing there’s still some controversy with the legislature about it. I know the Governor signed it into law but there are some conditions. I'm not aware of the conditions yet so I'd like to wait and read those conditions.”

Senator Dwayne San Nicolas’ heavily debated bill to legalize consumer grade fireworks was signed into law early November. 

With New Year’s celebrations just around the bend, another lingering question is can the community now legally set off their own fireworks? 

“Unfortunately the simple answer is no,” Sen. San Nicolas’ Communications Director Isaiah Aguon said. Importing and selling consumer grade fireworks are still illegal and will remain so until the Guam Fire Department (GFD) sets much needed rules and regulations.

Aguon added, “Technically, when I spoke with Adelup, they could pop it off; However the bill and law remains holding. Which means the Guam Fire Department, the Guam Police Department could ask where they got the fireworks from. And they could get in trouble from there as if this law never passed. Even if they had it, GPD could ask where they got it from. So, the person who popped it and the person they got it from could both get in trouble.”

It’s a law without teeth until the legislature can pass another bill that would tighten the rules and regulations. 

“The new bill will basically make the usage of consumer grade fireworks more strict. So obviously there will be fines for parents who allow their children to use consumer grade fireworks without their supervision,” Aguon said. He says that measure is still in the works with the senator's office working closely with Adelup. 

Aguon said, “We’re hoping to get that out– the earliest would be the first week of January. Meaning it won’t happen until after the new year.” 

He anticipates fireworks will be legal by the fourth of July next year. 

Until then, everyone should leave the pyrotechnics to the pros.