Ohio Exhibitor License

[TeamFullSend]

I will start off by saying I love fireworks. I can't go anywhere without stopping at local stores to look around and I always come out with something. This year's show is going to be the biggest I have ever done and will be packed with tons of 1.4 cakes and shells. I just turned 21 and have been wanting to get my ATF license to purchase 1.3 to add some better shells to my show. Nothing crazy, just some 3 or 4 inch shells and some salutes for the finale. From what I have researched the ATF Type 54 is pretty straightforward. But I live in Ohio. From my research the Ohio Exhibitor License is required to light any 1.3 in Ohio. I am looking for some information about what is required to get that and if there is a way to get around needing it. I am not doing any public shows, just my 4th of July show and maybe lighting a few shells on other holidays if I have friends out. I would work towards getting the Ohio Exhibitor License but if it requires me to have the 1 million in insurance and get a permit for every time I want to light fireworks I don't think it would be worth it. Do I need it to store 1.3 in Ohio too? (Ohio laws suck)

[displayfireworks1]

If you are not doing fireworks displays for profit I do not if you necessarily need an Ohio Exhibitors license. My suggestion is to get the ATF license first and proceed from there. Perhaps someone can update me if I am wrong , but last I heard the State of Ohio has a moratorium on any new explosive magazine storage permits. I keep waiting for a fireworks hobbyist that is not in business to challenge that storage moratorium in Ohio.

[TeamFullSend]

No plans on ever going into business of any sort. I read in the Ohio laws about a hobbiest variance that you could obtain from the Fire Marshal but it only allows 5 pounds of explosive material or components. (1.3 and 1.4 combined) What I have for my show this year is probably close to 30 pounds or more. I am not sure if that law only applies to products I make or ones I buy. I wouldn't be opposed to getting my Type 54 and trying to work from there. Ohio laws are really restrictive compared to Indiana which look like you can do any private shoots without anything except a Type 54. It appears you can't even store 1.3 in Ohio unless you have pulled a permit for a shoot. I believe laws like this make it more dangerous since people will get stuff in the black market.

[Salutecake]

Well is that Net Explosive Weight? I'm not sure what consumer or pro specs are, I do know the ATF is not concerned about them -- But 1.3 stuff - shells are consider 50% of weight and 1.3 cakes are 25% of the total weight in Storage terms for the ATF. Not sure what your State standards might be.