Lexington County Council heard opposing views at its regularly scheduled Aug. 8 meeting about a proposed ordinance that would put restrictions on fireworks throughout the county.

Council Member Charli Wessinger, chair of the committee that has proposed the new ordinance, said the views heard during the public hearing would be considered as the council deliberates on a final plan during the next few weeks.

“There were a lot of people for it and a lot of people against it,” she said.

Three people spoke in favor of the restrictions during a public hearing addressing the restrictions, with 14 people sending in online correspondence in support, Council Chair Beth Carrigg chair reported to those in attendance.

12 people spoke against the new restrictions, while three people sent online correspondence explaining their opposition.

Wessinger said council would consider all of the views they heard. She expects some changes will be made before the ordinance is submitted for a second-reading vote. The ordinance would also have to go through a final third-reading vote.

Under the current proposal, fireworks would be banned in the unincorporated areas of the county outside city and town limits, except under limited circumstances.

Fireworks would still be permitted between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. on July 3, 4 and 5, Dec. 24 and 25, and Memorial Day; as well as between 10 a.m. Dec. 31 and 1:30 a.m. Jan. 1, and during permitted public displays.

Anyone caught shooting fireworks outside the designated times and circumstances could be fined $150 per violation.

Supporters said dangers posed by fireworks justified stricter regulations. The possibility of fires in some of the rural areas of the county raised concerns about how quickly emergency personnel would be able to respond to a spreading fire, or to someone suffering injuries

Veterans suffering from PTSD can also have adverse reactions to loud fireworks, speakers said.  Opponents also expressed concerns about pets that often have negative reactions to the sound.

But not everybody is in favor of the proposed restrictions.

“In Richland County, fireworks are legal 365 days a year,” said fireworks seller Mike Hughes, pointing out that noise ordinances are already in place.

Swansea resident Daniel Hagan said the proposal is an “overreach” and amounted to an “abuse of power.”

Some objected to the county selecting some specific holidays that can be celebrated with fireworks while implicitly closing the door on other celebrations, like Juneteenth, Cinco de Mayo and Chinese New Year.

There does appear to be more support for the ordinance than opposition.

Wessinger posted a poll in the One Chapin Facebook group, which saw 89 voting in favor and 42 in opposition.