Celebrate Safely: No Fireworks, Gunfire or DWIs

Published on January 02, 2023

We want everyone to have a safe and happy New Years, but fireworks inside the Grand Prairie city limits shouldn't be a part of the festivities. In addition to being a problem for families with young children and pets, they are also against the law. Let’s celebrate new beginnings safely by observing the city’s No Fireworks or Gunfire ordinances. 

In Grand Prairie, it is illegal to possess or use illegal fireworks and to shoot a gun into the air.

The City of Grand Prairie is reminding the community about those laws as well as motorists about the dangers and penalties of driving while intoxicated (DWI).

To report this illegal activity, the public should contact the City and provide the address of the incident, as this will help police and fire with their response efforts.

• For gunfire reports, call 911 with a street address of the offense.
• For fireworks reports, call 911 with a street address of the offense.
• If you spot a car being driven in a dangerous manner and it may be a DWI – stay away and call 911

The penalties for fireworks, gunfire and DWI in Grand Prairie can be costly.

• DWIs begin as a misdemeanor B for the first offense and carry a minimum of 3 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000 and up to 6 months in jail.
• DWIs can be as high as a Felony depending on the facts (multiple convictions, kids in car, etc.) They can carry as many as 10 years in prison.Fines can be as high as $10,000 and does not include the cost for legal defense.
• DWI Texas Penal Code Provisions are 49.04 and 49.045
• Discharging a firearm in the city is a violation of Texas Penal Code 42.12 and is a Class A misdemeanor. Can carry a jail sentence of up to 1 year and a fine of up to $4,000.
• Up to $572 in City fines and court costs for the discharge or possession of illegal fireworks. If a minor is caught with fireworks, the parent or guardian will receive the fine even if they were unaware of the minor's possession and/or usage.

But fireworks are pretty, why can’t I have them at home or in town?

• Your neighbors do not appreciate the loud noises.No really.They do not like you shooting off fireworks.Or guns.
• The sound produced by fireworks is often distressing and disturbing for our Veterans.
• Fireworks send pets into panic, many escaping the safety of their yard to be lost or killed in traffic.
• Fireworks cause fires.On average fireworks cause about 20,000 fires a year and $105 million in property damage.
• Fireworks cause injuries.On average about 13,000 firework related injuries are reported each year nationwide.
• Gunfire is even more dangerous, as any bullet that goes up has to come down, often with devastating results.