Helensburgh campaigner demands more restrictions on fireworks after bill passed in Scottish Parliament

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An anti-fireworks campaigner says more must be done to stamp down on misuse as new legislation was passed.Jane Kerr, 51, fears the new Bill, which will create a licensing scheme and limit the number of days when fireworks can be sold, will encourage some to stockpile them.The Helensburgh dog owner began campaigning against the public use of fireworks after becoming sick of seeing her pet terrified by them.She has previously told how she has to use a vet approved sedative to calm 14-year-old Bonnie, who has a heart murmur.The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill was passed by MSPs at the end of June, with community safety minister Ash Regan insisting the changes would play a “key part in reducing the harm, the distress and the injury” that can be caused.The Bill will only allow the explosives to be bought and used by members of the public at certain times of the year, including Guy Fawkes Day, Hogmanay, Chinese New Year and Diwali.It will also mean members of the public must have a licence to buy and use certain fireworks, and it will become an offence to give fireworks to or buy them for a child.Jane, who organised a Pets Against Fireworks protest event at Levengrove Park several years ago, says the loud noises leave her fearing for Bonnie’s life every year.She fears people will start stockpiling fireworks as a result of the legislation, explaining: “There is a real chance that could happen because people might see it as their only opportunity to buy them, and there is a good chance people could stockpile them.“That needs to be looked at by perhaps introducing a limit on how many people can buy in one go.“We still have a long way to go until we are at a place that it’s suitable for everyone.“More needs to