Senator Dwayne San Nicolas
Democrat Senator Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas is addressing concerns raised about Bill 9-37 during the legislative session on October 27, 2023, at the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna.
Bill 9-37, authored by Sen. San Nicolas, seeks to legalize and regulate the use of consumer-grade fireworks, which was introduced in January 2023.
“I appreciate everyone’s input, and despite comments which sought to malign me, I remain encouraged and committed to serve the people who elected me,” said Sen. San Nicolas. “This bill, while it may not have been for everyone, it was for a number of people in our community who wanted a voice on this particular issue. It was no secret, as it was a campaign promise of mine to introduce this bill that I would be asking the Guam Legislature to support to legalize fireworks. I am a man of my word. I look forward to this bill going up for a vote and do hope with all of the amendments and input from this body, it will be passed.”
Meanwhile, if the bill passes into Guam law, it will be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, association, or organization to sell or offer for sale any fireworks, except as expressly permitted under the following provisions:
Committee on Emergency Response, Military and Veteran Affairs, Border Safety and Mayors Council I Mina’trentai Siette Na Liheslaturan Guahan | 37th Guam Legislature DNA Building, STE 407/408 238 Archbishop Flores St. Hagåña, Guam 96910 671-989-4400 | senatorsannicolas@guamlegislature.org | senatorsannicolas.com OFFICE OF SENATOR DWAYNE T.D. SAN NICOLAS
No person, firm, corporation, association, or organization shall sell fireworks without first having obtained a license thereof “Consumer Fireworks License”. Prior to issuance of the license, the requesting party shall fulfill all licensing and fire safety requirements outlined by the Guam Fire Department. All persons selling consumer fireworks shall be over the age of 18. At least one person 21 years of age or older shall be in attendance and in charge of the permitted sales of consumer fireworks. No public agency or private company shall sell any consumer fireworks to people under the age of 18, minors. Any person, firm, corporation, association, or organization which stores consumer fireworks shall notify the Guam Fire Department of the consumer fireworks that are being stored, the type, and location of each site where they are stored.
“There have been cases where teenagers would steal their parents’ firearms and shoot them in the air as a substitute for fireworks,” Sen. San Nicolas said. “The Guam Legislature finds that prohibiting consumer fireworks is grounded in the concern for public safety and security, leading to illegal and dangerous practice of using actual firearms as a substitute for fireworks. The act of shooting a firearm into the air is not only illegal but far more dangerous than consumer fireworks, due to the fact that bullets shot into the air will come back down with considerably more force and could potentially hit innocent bystanders. If teenagers and the people of Guam had access to consumer-grade fireworks, they would not have to resort to the illegal and dangerous practice of shooting firearms into the air.”
Bill 9-37 was introduced to bring something back from Sen. San Nicolas’ childhood. “I have been waiting for lawmakers to legalize fireworks since I was 12 years old,” Sen. San Nicolas said. “Growing up, I was able to safely use consumer fireworks and with adult supervision. My parents didn’t allow me to use fireworks without their permission. I just want to make Guam fun again. All I ever wanted was to make people happy. That is my intention for this bill. Additionally, I know everyone, and children would love and enjoy this, as consumer-grade fireworks are already legal in Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.”
If the piece of legislation passes into Guam law, the bill will not only allow the use of consumer-grade fireworks in Guam but create business opportunities, contributing to the island’s economy. Additionally, the bill aims to enhance familial experiences during holidays.
Sen. San Nicolas’ bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by Speaker Therese Terlaje, Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes, and Senators Joe S. San Agustin, Roy A.B. Quinata, William Parkinson, Jesse Lujan, and Thomas Fisher.
