by David Flint
No, it’s not Virginia or Carolina. Fireworks are now being sold in Stephentown just next to Gardner’s Ice Cream Shoppe. Governor Cuomo signed legislation last November that allows counties and cities outside of New York City to legalize the sale and use of some fireworks such as sparklers, fountains, snappers and poppers. [private] 
Rensselaer County gave it the OK in April and as of June 6 the sale is on.
Bradford Quinn who has a business based in Richmond, VA has set up a franchise of TNT Fireworks in Stephentown and is selling a huge selection of sparkling devices. Nothing explosive, he says, no mortars, firecrackers, cherry bombs or aerial boomers. They do have an edge on fireworks newly available in neighboring Massachusetts though. Massachusetts has a limit of 100 grams NEM (net explosive mass) but New York State and Rensselaer County allow 500 grams – so buy local and get more bang for your buck?
Quinn says the novelty of fireworks here is an attraction and sales have been lucrative. He will be here only until the 4th of July but may come back next year. Eventually he expects that New York will join some other states that have broadened their laws to permit the sale of consumer fireworks at the full Class C level.[/private]