A SCOTTISH Government consultation on the sale of fireworks has been inundated with responses from people fed up with the annual gunpowder-fuelled rammy.
Of the 16,000 people who took part in the 13-week survey, 87% said they would support an outright ban on the sale of fireworks.
Some 94% said they want to see tighter controls on the sale of fireworks, while 92% feel there should be tighter controls on how they can be used.
A YouGov poll, carried out for the Scottish Government, revealed that 71% of adults supported tighter controls, while more than half backed an outright ban.
Legislation on the sale and storage of fireworks is reserved to the UK Government, while laws covering their use is devolved.
READ MORE: SNP calls for UK Government review into sale of fireworks
When launching the consultation, ministers said they could even consider increased restrictions on where and when fireworks can be used.
Community Safety Minister Ash Denham said she would update Parliament shortly.
She said: “The results of our consultation and survey demonstrate overwhelming public support for a change in how fireworks are sold and used.
“While legislation on the sale of fireworks is reserved to Westminster, I will work with stakeholders to look at the powers we have to drive forward action to reduce the damage caused by fireworks misuse.
She continued: “The consultation also highlighted the wider harm that can be caused to members of our communities, including our ex-service people and those with underlying mental health issues.
“The serious distress and occasional injury caused to animals around times of celebration has also been highlighted as a specific concern.”
Seven in 10 of those who responded to the government consultation said they had been affected by fireworks used in an irresponsible or unsafe way.
Some raised concerns about the devices being used in inappropriate places, such as back gardens in built-up areas and on streets, and about them being used as “weapons” against the emergency services.
The consultation also found that 93% of people want to see stronger regulations to ensure animals are not caused unnecessary suffering as a result of the misuse of fireworks.
Scottish SPCA head of education and policy Gilly Mendes Ferreira said they supported tighter restrictions.
She said: “Over the years the Scottish SPCA has received a handful of calls relating to an animal that has been injured due to the direct misuse of fireworks.
“The majority of calls relate to animals that have become injured through trying to escape the noise of fireworks.”
Danny Philips, a Glasgow-based campaigner against fireworks, told the BBC that Scotland’s communities had made it absolutely clear that they were looking for action from the Government.
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