Rep. Randy Frye’s HB 1056 would require the State Fire Marshal to make a list of “novelty lighters;” the manufacture, sale, or distribution of which would become a crime.
A novelty lighter is defined as:
A lighter that has one (1) or more of the following characteristics:
(1) A toy-like appearance, including the physical form of an animal, animated character, a vehicle, weaponry, a telephone, or food.
(2) Entertaining audio or visual effects. For purposes of this subdivision, visual effects do not include logos, decals, decorative artwork, or heat shrinkable sleeves.
(3) Any other feature or appearance that would reasonably be expected to make the lighter:
(A) appealing or attractive to; or
(B) seem to be intended for use by;
a child less than ten (10) years of age.
I am all for child safety features on various products. But this is (1) way too vague for a criminal statute (2) kids have played w/non-toy-like appearing Ohio Blue-tip matches since those very functional items were developed, and (3) does this mean Inspector Clousseau’s lighter—wait, it was his boss’s lighter—in the shape of a gun would be illegal?
Alas, idiocy knows no boundaries.
Particularly among the voters who elect clowns like Mr. Frye to office.
Can’t the General Assembly stick to passing eugenics laws and rounding pi to 3?
What we really need in Indiana is a House of Repeal.
“appealing to a child”
Hey, Randy?
IT *MAKES* *FIRE.*
Do you people have nothing better to do. Are you trying to make Indiana law the “parents” of the state’s children so the parents will have less to do and spend their time electing fools like you.
There is a reason that politicians are dropping lower on the respect list.
How did any of us manage to survive to adulthood without the help of the General Assembly? Personally, I am way more concerned about lighters that are appealing to 16 and 17 year olds.
I fear that the term “nanny state” always gets applied to liberals, but I’m as liberal as can be and I think this kind of legislation is just stupid. I feel the same way about San Francisco, The Best City in The World IMO, passing legislation prohibiting toys in Happy Meals.
Ban novelty lighters,fine folks for bad renditions of the National Anthem. Although I do not live in Indiana I am quite sure that that fine state faces way more pressing issues then those previously mentioned. To WASTE the publics money on such foolishness is criminal and its purveyors should be treated as such. To do less only encourages such malfeasance.
“It’s for the children!”. Is there nothing this slogan can’t be used to justify?
appeals to a child? isn’t that a little dangerous? haha. i don’t think we should be giving children lighters.