D.C. City Council is considering legislation that would ban any and all consumer fireworks in the District, but area residents are split on safety or fun.

Current city law allows sparklers, cones and other novelty fireworks as long as they don't explode or leave the ground. But proponents of an all-out ban say they city needs to send a message so they testified at a public hearing for the committee on public safety.

The legislation would not affect the Fourth of July festivities at the Capitol, games at Nationals Park or other professional displays. The legislation only applies to the amateur fireworks on sale at special vendor tents or fired off in neighborhoods. Some residents say they're a tradition while other say they're annoying and dangerous.

"I can assure you there's nothing fun about the rockets that land on my roof every year or the bottle rockets that fly past my child's window every year," said resident James Wilmot. He wants all fireworks banned in D.C. "Those kind of folks who sell legal sparklers have illegal fireworks behind their curtains or in their vans or cars," said Wilmot.

Fireworks vendors say an all out ban would do nothing but hurt small businesses. "So a ban on consumer approved fireworks does nothing to stop the illegal fireworks," said James Peters, president of Capitol Works.

Vendors say they work in cooperation with the fire department and educate customers about safety. "But to ban legal fireworks creates a black market," said Ernest Johnson.

In a council hearing, committee chair Phil Mendelson questioned if it was just an enforcement problem with illegal fireworks. "Those are illegal now, so passing a law that says their illegal isn't going to make them less prevalent."

But the bill's sponsor Jim Graham says it's not about enforcement, but rather it's about sending a message that fireworks aren't welcome in the District. "But eventually people would get the message."

Some people say it seems like the Fourth of July lasts the whole month. "We can't sleep," complained one resident. Others say D.C. Leaders need to save fireworks and the tradition of Independence Day. "That freedom must be maintained for individuals," said Alfred Austin.

The Fireworks Neighborhood Safety Act of 2008 would not just prohibit the use of fireworks, it would also stop residents from selling, storing or even displaying fireworks in the District. It calls for civil penalties and possibly even criminal charges.