I’m going to give Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe a heads-up on a potential run-in with the law. Via Twitter, he said a few minutes ago:
Back at my spot, the Shell off exit 118. Don’t tell Dorothy but I got Peter a box of fireworks.
McAuliffe is in Maryland.
He’s a resident of McLean, Va., which is in Fairfax County. Their applicable law:
Many fireworks are not available in Northern Virginia because they are illegal. Firecrackers, cherry bombs, and skyrockets are just a few examples of fireworks which may be purchased in other areas but are illegal in Virginia. Since even the possession of unapproved fireworks is prohibited in Fairfax County, such fireworks will be confiscated and persons possessing them will be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. This carries a maximum penalty of a $2,500 fine and/or one year in jail. All fireworks that explode, emit a flame, sparks, or performs as a projectile higher than 12 feet are prohibited by the Fairfax County Fire Prevention Code.
I hate to spoil the fun, but those look like some pretty big fireworks in the picture.
(UPDATE: Some folks are saying that there isn’t a route 118 in Maryland, and that McAuliffe is in Virginia. He’s still in danger of running afoul of his local fireworks laws, though.)