ARE FIREWORKS LEGAL IN MISSOURI?
Fireworks are legal in Missouri.
Consumer fireworks are legal in Missouri. Most 1.4G consumer fireworks are legal for purchase and use.
📅 WHEN CAN YOU USE FIREWORKS?
Jun 20 – Jul 10 (sale period under RSMo § 320.106(10))
No statewide time-of-day restriction; many municipalities limit use to 10:00 AM – midnight
Dec 20 – Jan 2 (sale period under RSMo § 320.106(10))
No statewide time-of-day restriction; local ordinances apply
Missouri restricts retail sale to the two seasonal windows. Consumer use/possession is generally limited to these periods as well. Under RSMo § 320.121, cities and counties (including charter counties) may regulate or prohibit the sale, possession, and use of fireworks within their jurisdictions. Major cities like St. Louis and Kansas City have banned consumer fireworks within city limits entirely. Unincorporated areas may be more permissive. State law does not set time-of-day limits, but many municipalities do.
🎆 WHAT'S LEGAL IN MISSOURI?
Bottle rockets, Roman candles, mortars, 500g cakes
All 1.4G consumer fireworks legal under RSMo § 320.131; aerial shells ≤1.75 inches diameter
Fountains, cones, wheels, ground spinners
Sparklers, smoke bombs, snaps, poppers, snakes
Party poppers and toy caps (≤0.25 grains) are exempt from fireworks regulation entirely (RSMo § 320.131(4))
Firecrackers, strings
Legal if ≤50mg explosive composition per CPSC standards
Spinning aerial devices
Legal if classified as 1.4G consumer fireworks
Any DIY, altered, or reloaded fireworks
Always illegal — cherry bombs, M-80s, M-100s, M-1000s, and all modified/homemade devices prohibited under RSMo § 320.136; punishable under § 571.020 weapons offense
📋 KEY RULES
Children under 14 cannot purchase without parent/guardian present (11 CSR 40-3.010)
No state minimum specified for use
Private property with owner's consent; check local ordinances
Public streets, highways, parks, government land without authorization (RSMo § 320.121); near gasoline pumps, gas stations, or volatile liquid storage (RSMo § 320.151)
Cannot explode fireworks from or at any motor vehicle (RSMo § 320.151)
Cities and counties may ban fireworks entirely — check local ordinances (RSMo § 320.121)
⚖️ PENALTIES
Operating without required permit/license
Civil penalty up to $1,000/day, maximum $10,000 (11 CSR 40-3.010(M))
Possession/sale of illegal fireworks (cherry bombs, M-80s, etc.)
Punished under RSMo § 571.020 (unlawful use of weapons) — Class D felony
Sale to child under 14 without parent present
Permit revocation and civil penalties (11 CSR 40-3.010)
General violation of fireworks statutes
Class A misdemeanor — up to 1 year imprisonment and/or $2,000 fine (RSMo § 320.161)
Sale out of season to Missouri residents for in-state use
Permit suspension or revocation + civil fines (11 CSR 40-3.010)