LYNN – With the Fourth of July on tap Friday, another heated debate is exploding in the state as to the laws that prohibit residents from purchasing, igniting or possessing fireworks.In a letter to The Item, William Weimer, vice president of Phantom Fireworks of Ohio, says, “The laws of Massachusetts that govern the use of consumer fireworks are out of date and out of touch with the demands and rights of the Massachusetts citizens.”Weimer continues by saying, “consumer fireworks today are the safest ever, and the injuries associated with the use of consumer fireworks is at an all-time low.”Lynn Fire Capt. Robert Bourke says Weimer is merely stating his dislike for the consumer fireworks laws in Massachusetts because selling and distributing fireworks is the sole purpose of his fireworks company.”Selling fireworks is their business, their livelihood. Of course they would want to be able to sell fireworks in Massachusetts,” Bourke said.”In Massachusetts we feel that injuries caused by consumer fireworks are staggering. The number of maiming injuries are soaring and that is why in Massachusetts we don’t allow any fireworks.”In his letter, Weimer cites statistics from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that stated, “From 1992 to 2006, the actual number of fireworks-related injuries has dropped over 26 percent, while during the same period use of fireworks measured by imports from China has increased almost 220 percent.”Regardless of those facts, Bourke believes the right way to go is with the tough and thorough laws of Massachusetts that prohibit the purchase, possession, or ignition of even a cherry bomb.”If you give an inch, they will take a mile,” Bourke said. “For example, New Hampshire allows consumer fireworks to be sold, but they also have certain regulations which make certain varieties of fireworks illegal. If a person from North Carolina is traveling to New Hampshire they just think that New Hampshire allows all varieties of fireworks, but in reality, this is not true.”Bourke says banning all fireworks is the best way to limit confusion for consumers and to avoid any gray areas that can exist when a state allows some fireworks and not others.”Fire officials in Massachusetts, including myself, are not heartless people, but we stand very strong against them (fireworks) and that includes all varieties,” Bourke said.Pauline Agnew, a nurse at the emergency department at Union Hospital, explains that they typically see injuries caused by cherry bombs and sparklers.”There seems to be more and more backyard fireworks these days and we typically see eye, hand and ear injuries on kids who are curious,” said Agnew, a nurse of 41 years.”We don’t just see these injuries on the Fourth of July either, Labor Day and summer months are also common times to see these injuries.”The Massachusetts Fireworks Law, MGL Chapter 148, S. 39, says “it is illegal for private citizens to use, possess, or sell fireworks in Massachusetts, or to purchase them legally elsewhere and then transport them into the state.”The law also states that the sale of fireworks carries a $100 to $1,000 fine, confiscation and imprisonment, whereas the possession, use, or cause to explode fireworks carries a $10 to $100 fine and mandatory confiscation.