City Commissioner Proposes Changes To Fireworks Laws In Great Falls

A Great Falls City Commissioner is asking for a review of current city fireworks laws after a tragic accident occurred
City ordinance allows for 3 days of the lighting of fireworks within the city limits of Great Falls currently
Restrictions on the types of fireworks or a ban could be presented as solutions as soon as 2026 in the city

Does Great Falls Need a Review of Fireworks Laws?

As the smoke clears and the acrid smell of burnt gunpowder wafts away on another Independence Day celebration across the city, state and good old U.S. of A, questions are being aimed at what should be allowed within the Electric City.

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Should Great Falls consider a change in the current fireworks laws that govern just how much fun we can have blowing stuff up? One city commissioner thinks it may be time to review the law and see if a change is warranted.

City of Great Falls and State of Montana Fireworks Code - A Quick Review

In Great Falls, residents within the city limits are allowed to purchase and ignite fireworks for 3 days during the 4th of July celebrations. July 2, 3 and 4 allows for lighting them between 8am and Midnight hours.

READ MORE: Get Rid of Pesky Pests with These Natural Deterrents

Great Falls city code for the type of fireworks allowed follows the Montana State Code for them:

Permissible fireworks include and are limited to those that meet the definition of consumer fireworks as provided in 27 CFR 555.11 and that comply with the construction, chemical composition, and labeling regulations of the U.S. consumer product safety commission

Rules for "display fireworks" which are used for professional displays include the following from the Great Falls city code:

aerial shell, salute, flash shell, comet, sky battle, mine, and any similar 1.3g (display fireworks) and 1.4g (consumer fireworks) explosive as defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation in Part 173, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.

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City Commissioner Tryon to Ask for Review of Current Laws and Code

In a post to social media, City Commissioner Rick Tryon said that he would "be seeking commission consensus on a request for a draft resolution/code change banning fireworks inside City limits starting in 2026."

If that consensus were to be accepted, Tryon stated that "staff would develop a proposal for consideration which would be subject to the normal process of extensive public vetting, comment, debate etc."

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Commissioner Tryon did emphasize however that "This doesn't necessarily mean that fireworks stands would be prohibited or that ALL fireworks, like sparklers, snakes etc. would be banned." Tryon plans to seek the consensus at the July 15, 2025, commission meeting.

40 Outrageous Fireworks Names That Sound Fake, But Are Actually Real

In states where fireworks are legal to purchase, stores have to rely on creative names to entice buyers. It's not like they can just go out and light off a test rocket to show customers.

Here are some of the best fireworks names we found when searching leading industry stores' online inventory.

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll

How Do Fireworks Get Their Colors?

Besides being a fun fact to impress your friends during the finale, knowing what makes fireworks work is a reminder of just how intertwined our daily lives are with Earth’s natural resources. Some of these minerals are considered critical commodities, meaning they’re vital to modern life and can be difficult to source.

So the next time you see a shimmering white sparkle or a deep red bloom over the Mohawk River, you’ll know: there's real science, and some pretty rare elements behind all that beauty.

It all comes down to chemistry. When fireworks are launched, metallic compounds, also called mineral elements, are heated to really hot temperatures. And as they burn, they emit specific colors of light.

The more complex the mix, the more dazzling the display.

Gallery Credit: Unsplash/TSM