The 80-second video shows the destruction of over 5,000 pounds of fireworks, confiscated by the NYPD. How do you dispose of fireworks? Apparently you pile them up at a firing range and…boom (goes the dynamite).

So yes, the following video is pretty awesome – A $25,000 firework show in less than a minute? Sounds good to me. Check it out –

But the fascination with high explosives seems to be tempered by some people’s feelings about New York’s fireworks laws.

The reason that the NYPD found themselves in possession of so many fireworks in the first place stems from NYC’s all inclusive ban on fireworks. The buying, selling, transporting and using of fireworks is strictly prohibited and can lead to jail time. Here’s the explanation from the NYPD –

This year, the Police Department has confiscated more than 5,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, ranging in size from sparklers to professional pyrotechnics. Police have also arrested 70 individuals and seized six vehicles in connection with the transport of illegal fireworks. FDNY Fire Marshals in the Firework Enforcement Unit have made 20 arrests for the sale, use, storage and/or transportation of illegal fireworks, and have seized more than 300 cases of fireworks valued at more than $25,000.

July Fourth is a day for celebration, but not at the expense of safety,” said Fire Commissioner Cassano. “Our Fire Marshals have done a tremendous job removing illegal fireworks from the streets, and our members in Fire Safety Education have worked tirelessly educating the public about the dangers of illegal fireworks. Their efforts show in the dramatic reduction of fireworks related injuries and fires we have seen in recent years.

The destruction of all of those fireworks has incensed YouTubers, for various reasons. Some see the ban as an assault on the very freedom they wish to celebrate. Others find the display a waste of a perfectly good firework show.

“Totally sill stupid waste of time and money- from the ‘busts’ all the way to the time spent on the range making this asinine spectacle. Last I heard there was real crime in NY that needed attending to,” says user eigenstates.

“This is just rediculus even in the so called nanny state of sweden consumer firewoks are legal!!!” says user ollonborresverige.

“‘Items such as sparklers are mistakenly thought to be safe, when in fact they can be very dangerous’ – I don’t know what sparklers NY uses, but other states citizens are doing just fine with them,” adds user bastian74.

“What’s the message of this? We’ll do the same thing you’d do with the illegal fireworks (setting it on fire)” asks sigiSLO.

“Could they not saved it for a special occasion and just do some fireworks charity event? kill 2 birds with 1 stone :S,” says SeriousBusiness100.

As you can see, people are questioning the message the video sends, and that is legitimate on one hand.

On the other hand, however, it’s just an awesome video of things blowing-up.

What do you think?

Just as long as you don’t blow yourself or anyone else up.

With that in mind, the lead video, which appeared at PopSci.com, demonstrates what happens when you add these wonderful items filled with gunpowder and colorful, sparkly powder to common household items, something of a natural occurrence on YouTube. The difference between PopSci’s demonstration and the amateur home video someone uploaded of their uncle blowing up the television is immense, if, for nothing else, that wonderful film trick called slow motion.

From the post’s description:

The Phantom line of ultra-high-speed video cameras have held PopSci’s rapt attention even before the v12 model won our Best of What’s New Award in 2008. So what better way to celebrate our nation’s independence than aiming a Phantom v641 from New Jersey’s Vision Research at all manner of explosives, resulting in high-definition footage of fireworks going off at a glorious 2,000 frames per second?

For me, there isn’t one. Apologies if you wanted a killer fireworks display, but, we’re here to please so try these:

If you haven’t figured out how you’re going to celebrate the Fourth, you may be able to get some ideas by using Google Maps.  Elaine Filadelfo of the Lat Long Blog Team writes, "If you’ll be in DC . . . you can find a map of the various events going on throughout the holiday weekend and a map of fireworks shows throughout the entire region."

Or if you’re planning to spend time elsewhere in the country, there are plenty of other events maps available, including ones for Baltimore, the Milwaukee region, Myrtle Beach New Hampshire, Northern Alabama, the San Francisco Bay Area, South Central Indiana, and Western Michigan.

Finally, if you intend to do your own thing, Filadelfo writes, "[Y]ou can make your own My Map to show friends how to get to your BBQ or where exactly in the park you plan to meet to catch the fireworks."

Anybody who’s going to be close to his or her computer might keep an eye out for a special Google Doodle, too; last year’s is pictured below.

The Best Fourth Of July Fireworks Displays

Poor Boston. When a winner of the online voting for the top fireworks display on the Fourth of July, Boston won’t even be in the top eleven cities put forth as candidates.

And worse, it looks like New York is a shoo-in to win right now. Bostonians will be even more delighted at that prospect.

For everyone else, there will be a whole lot of shakin’ going on when darkness begins on the Fourth. Spectacular fireworks shows will be blasting off to the delights of thousands of watchers all over the country.

Some people will be dancing in Miami or the rebuilding New Orleans. Others will jam with Hootie and the Blowfish in St. Louis, or jam the Capitol Mall in Washington DC to see the show.

West Coast types can see the show in places like San Diego and Lake Tahoe, while on the East Coast there is little to equal the thrills of shows in New York and Philadelphia.

Things will heat up considerably in Houston, where the biggest display over land takes place. Even better, Los Lonely Boys will play a warm-up show before the big booms begin.

Can’t wait for the Fourth? Chicago lights its candle tonight, July 3rd, on the lakefront. In Orlando, Disney World’s nightly fireworks displays happen each night, but special pyrotechnics have been planned for the holiday.

AOL’s CityGuide site looks at all eleven of these cities and the explosions they will put on display. Links from each city description on the Top 11 Booms with a View page go to their respective CityGuides, with more information available about the cities available there.

From WebProNews to our readers, have a Happy Fourth! Even you, Boston.

—
Tag:

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg | Yahoo! My Web | Furl

Bookmark WebProNews:

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business.