It seems the Missouri legislature is considering outlawing those lighters that whistle and glow lights, or look like toys.
Last year’s House Bill
407.918. 1. No supplier of novelty lighters in this state, including a manufacturer,
2 distributor, importer, retailer, or anyone giving away novelty lighters as prizes or
3 promotions, shall sell or give away operable novelty lighters. This subsection shall not
4 apply to the transportation of novelty lighters through this state or the storage of novelty
5 lighters in a warehouse or distribution center in this state that is closed to the public for
6 purposes of retail sales.
7 2. As used in this section, "novelty lighter" means a mechanical or electrical device
8 typically used for lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes that has entertaining audio or visual
9 effects, or that resembles in physical form or function articles commonly recognized as
10 appealing to or intended for use by children under eighteen years of age. This includes,
11 but is not limited to, lighters that resemble cartoon characters, toys, guns, watches, musical
12 instruments, vehicles, animals, food or beverages, or that play musical notes, have flashing
13 lights, or other entertaining features.
Novelty lighters may operate on any fuel, including
14 butane, isobutylene, or liquid fuel.
15 3. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following:
16 (1) Lighters that were made before January 1, 1980, or that are considered to be
17 collectable items;
(2) Lighters incapable of being fueled or lacking a device necessary to produce combustion or a flame;
(3) Any mechanical or electrical device primarily used to ignite fuel for fireplaces or for charcoal or gas grills; or
(4) Standard disposable and refillable lighters that are printed or decorated with logos, labels, decals, artwork, or heat-shrinkable sleeves.
4. Violation of this section is a class D misdemeanor.
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The sponsor is a conservative farmer who farms 2,000 acres.
I found this 2008 article about the hazards of novelty lighters.
CHICO — Fire officials agree that small children generally find it easier to use a lighter than strike a match. That”s especially true in the case of so-called novelty lighters, which a…
www.santacruzsentinel.com
My objection to the cheap novelty lighters sold at gas stations is I cannot refill any of them I’ve tried.
This isn’t a nefarious bill. The farmer that proposed it is no doubt well intentioned.
But for every new criminal the State of Missouri creates, they should be required to decriminalize at least one sinner.
My favorite Missouri felony, since at least 1909:
Explosives prohibited--penalty.
252.220. 1. It shall be unlawful for any person to place any explosive substance or preparation in any of the waters of this state, whereby any fish which may inhabit said waters may be killed, injured or destroyed; and no person, by any such means, shall kill, catch or take any fish from said waters; provided, however, that explosive substances or preparations may be used in said waters, but only with the permission and under the supervision of the commission.
2. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and upon conviction shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars, nor more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for not more than two years, or by both such fine and imprisonment, for each such offense.
(RSMo 1939 § 8926, A.L. 1945 p. 664 § 20)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 8266; 1919 § 5615; 1909 § 6537
