New law means certain fireworks legal in parts of New York state

ORANGE COUNTY (WABC) -- One community will be celebrating the Fourth of July in a way they haven't been able to for nearly seven decades.

For the first time since the 1940s, fireworks are legal in some parts of New York.

Residents in Orange County are making the purchases legally after a change in the law, which led to stands popping up throughout the area.

"I always tried to take them to see shows and stuff," parent Rea Castellotti said. "But now I'm happy that we can buy them and do a little bit ourselves in the backyard."

The only fireworks now cleared for sale are limited to colorful sparkling fountain devices, which means no projectiles and no explosives like firecrackers, Roman candles or bottle rockets.

And that's no problem, many say.

"It's fun," parent Angela Senseny said. "I think it's great, as long as you're responsible. Which we are. We're all adults. We don't want to blow up our houses or our kids."

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the law in November allowing counties to determine whether or not to permit sparkling devices, and nearly half of New York's 62 counties have opted in.

The main reason for the aboutface is money. For years, residents have been running to Pennsylvania and Connecticut, where fireworks are legal.

"I could never understand why they wouldn't allow so many things they allowed in the past," area resident Mark Gamma said. "Even if you don't allow it, people are going to get what they want anyway."

Still, officials urge people to be safe.