AI-assisted research summary: Certain fireworks sellers must have a proper permit, and violations can trigger cease-sale orders, seizure of goods, permit revocation, and criminal penalties.
§658. Penalties A.(1) No manufacturer, assembler, distributor, importer, jobber, or retailer shall operate within the state of Louisiana without proper permit. (2) A person found operating within the state of Louisiana without a proper permit shall immediately cease the sale of fireworks upon the lawful order of the state fire marshal, a certified local authority of the fire marshal, or any local law enforcement official until such time as an application for permit has been made to the state fire marshal as required in R.S. 51:656 and subsequently granted. The application for a retail permit shall be notarized and shall attest that each location on the application is situated in a jurisdiction which allows legal retail fireworks sales, that no open flame heating devices are located at any listed location, that there are no facilities for sleeping and sleeping is not allowed in any listed location, and that no listed location is used for residential purposes or for other than the purpose of making retail sales of fireworks. Violation by transmission of a false statement or false representation of any information required by this Paragraph may be prosecuted pursuant to R.S. 14:125 and shall be the basis for revocation of all permits held by the applicant. (3) The refusal of any person to cease sales and obtain a permit or the failure of any person to comply with a lawful order of the state fire marshal, a certified local authority of the fire marshal, or any local law enforcement official, may be cause for the seizure of any merchandise and equipment of the person found in violation at any physical location. Those items seized shall be retained until otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction. If the state fire marshal, a certified local authority of the fire marshal, or a local law enforcement official is not otherwise ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction within ninety days of the date of seizure to return the items seized, then the state fire marshal, certified local authority, or local law enforcement official may destroy or dispose of the seized items in such a manner which, in their discretion, they deem suitable in order to protect the public safety. B. A person who violates any provision of this Part, with the exception of the penalties specifically imposed herein, shall upon conviction be subject to a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. Each day's violation constitutes a separate offense and may be punished as such at the discretion of the court. Each separate physical location in violation of this Part also constitutes a separate offense and may be punished as such at the discretion of the court. Acts 1958, No. 63, §10; Amended by Acts 1962, No. 456, §2. Acts 1984, No. 918, §1, eff. July 20, 1984; Acts 1987, No. 401, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 2003, No. 398, §2; Acts 2012, No. 10, §1.