Firework explosions were commonplace for Fritz Vandover, growing up in Missouri.

"Fireworks are legal there, so we spent a lot of time playing with them," said Vandover.

Vandover said fireworks are found easily in rural areas.

"We used to buy them from my father-in-law," he said.

A graduate student in higher education policy, Vandover said that fireworks are great for public displays, but said he wasn't sure that they are always safe for personal use.

"I'm not sure if they should be legalized; they are kind of a personal safety issue," he said.

-Kim Melchert