Arie Fry begins his speech not with fiery daggers of debate but rather in song. Although he may take some by surprise with his unique approach, the one line he sings is the first line of a song universally known by Americans: the national anthem.
“Those words always make me think of freedom, the flag and my favorite holiday, Independence Day, on the fourth of July,” Arie says next. “I love this holiday, because it celebrates the greatest nation in the world but also because I get to light fireworks.”
Local politicians and even the Hillsborough Legislative Delegation meeting have heard the speech, but it all started out as a topic for Arie’s competition at the FFA subdistricts.
Because of a state statute that declares fireworks only can be used in agricultural purposes for scaring birds away, the Tomlin Middle School student wanted to conduct experiments on the practice and then report his findings in his FFA speech and at the science fair.
However, when Arie began talking with farmers about the practice, many of them told him using fireworks is an outdated and ineffective practice. So, he converted his project into a survey, asking a sample of 100 people if they agreed or disagreed with the Florida statute after learning that most farmers don’t use fireworks as a practice.
He found that 80% disagreed with the law.
That’s when Arie decided to take his project further than just his competition, presenting it to anyone who could help change it on the books. His audiences have included Sen. Tom Lee, state Rep. Dan Raulerson and more than 100 people at the annual Hillsborough Legislative Delegation meeting a couple of months ago.
“It was awesome,” Arie says. “I got to speak in front of everybody. I was nervous before I started talking, and then, it started to feel better.”
“This isn’t about whether or not you like fireworks,” Arie’s mother, Yvonne Fry, says. “This is about having laws that are meaningful and enforceable. We’re not looking to fight about fireworks.”
“It makes me feel empowered, because I could actually change the community,” Arie says.
THE STATUTE
Florida Statute Chapter 791 was the result of a Department of Agriculture committee trying to find middle ground between firework lovers and haters, according to Arie’s research.
The law states: “It is unlawful for any person, firm, copartnership or corporation to offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks. … Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the importation, purchase, sale or use of fireworks used or to be used solely and exclusively in frightening birds from agricultural works and fish hatcheries.”
Not included among the barred fireworks are sparklers, party poppers, trick noisemakers and other novelties.
It’s not a crime to possess illegal fireworks, although they can be confiscated. But it is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Firework vendors have customers sign a form that states the customers are using the fireworks for agricultural practices.
In his speech, Arie admits his mother has signed the form, but she is not using the fireworks to scare birds away from her nonexistent fields.
The family has had the debate on whether to sign the form every Fourth of July since Arie could talk. He always has loved the holiday and has a special passion for the glittering light displays. Watching local firework displays, Arie always wanted to be back there lighting them off. His favorite firecrackers are
M80s and another type that spins in the air like a UFO.
“I always just wanted her to sign, because I didn’t understand, and it wasn’t affecting me,” Arie says.
“It’s kind of scary to say, ‘Hello, I’m breaking the law,’ but it’s more effective than using a hypothetical family,” Yvonne says.
The crime can be hard to enforce. For law enforcement to cite someone for using illegal fireworks, there must be a witness. The person complaining may have only heard the fireworks.
After talking with firework opponents, Arie learned many people who complain about fireworks say the noise is the biggest issue. For those who have horses, the noise scares the animals.
WHERE IT STANDS
After speaking at the delegation, Arie was approached by state Rep. Mark Danish, who was interested in his cause. The two have been working together to finalize the language for a new bill.
“I do hope it changes,” Arie says. “I know all my friends, it’ll be pretty cool, to show them I don’t have to sign an affidavit to buy fireworks and be able to say I did that.”
“We don’t know that it’s going to get anywhere this year,” Yvonne Fry says. “But it’s about his newfound passion and how government needs to be straightforward.”
Despite the future, Arie is happy with all he has accomplished so far. Many of his friends and audience members at the FFA competition didn’t know fireworks were illegal.
“I didn’t really know anything about government before, but once I got involved, I really took an interest in it,” Arie says. “Anybody can do it. Anybody can voice their opinion anytime.”