§ 14-414. Pyrotechnics defined; exceptions. - North Carolina Statutes

§14‑414.  Pyrotechnics defined; exceptions.

For the proper construction ofthe provisions of this Article, "pyrotechnics," as is herein used,shall be deemed to be and include any and all kinds of fireworks andexplosives, which are used for exhibitions or amusement purposes: provided,however, that nothing herein contained shall prevent the manufacture, purchase,sale, transportation, and use of explosives or signaling flares used in thecourse of ordinary business or industry, or shells or cartridges used asammunition in firearms. This Article shall not apply to the sale, use, orpossession of the following:

(1)        Explosive capsdesigned to be fired in toy pistols, provided that the explosive mixture of theexplosive caps shall not exceed twenty‑five hundredths (.25) of a gramfor each cap.

(2)        Snake and glow wormscomposed of pressed pellets of a pyrotechnic mixture that produce a large,snake‑like ash when burning.

(3)        Smoke devicesconsisting of a tube or sphere containing a pyrotechnic mixture that produceswhite or colored smoke.

(4)        Trick noisemakerswhich produce a small report designed to surprise the user and which include:

a.         A party popper,which is a small plastic or paper item containing not in excess of 16milligrams of explosive mixture.  A string protruding from the device is pulledto ignite the device, expelling paper streamers and producing a small report.

b.         A string popper,which is a small tube containing not in excess of 16 milligrams of explosivemixture with string protruding from both ends.  The strings are pulled toignite the friction‑sensitive mixture, producing a small report.

c.         A snapper or droppop, which is a small, paper‑wrapped item containing no more than 16milligrams of explosive mixture coated on small bits of sand.  When dropped,the device produces a small report.

(5)        Wire sparklersconsisting of wire or stick coated with nonexplosive pyrotechnic mixture thatproduces a shower of sparks upon ignition.  These items must not exceed 100grams of mixture per item.

(6)        Other sparklingdevices which emit showers of sparks and sometimes a whistling or cracklingeffect when burning, do not detonate or explode, do not spin, are hand‑heldor ground‑based, cannot propel themselves through the air, and containnot more than 75 grams of chemical compound per tube, or not more than a totalof 200 grams if multiple tubes are used. (1947, c. 210, s. 5; 1955, c.674, s. 1; 1993, c. 437.)