A judge in Kitsap County, Washington has shut down a fireworks stand that has been operating on tribal land in Bremerton.
The city sued two years ago, alleging that the stand was selling fireworks that were banned by state law, which created a hazard. The land, while not actual reservation land, is land that has been put in trust for Suquamish Tribe.
Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent praised the decision, telling the Kitsap Sun: “We feel the decision makes that area safer. And I think that within our city limits, anything we can do to enhance the safety of our residents is beneficial.”
However, Kevin Chambers, whose family owns the land, disputes the city’s jurisdiction. He told the Sun: “We don’t believe they have the jurisdiction to rule on anything. Local governments here never have had any say over federal land.” He noted that his family has a license from the tribe to sell the fireworks.
The land has also been considered at one time as a possible site for a tribal casino. The city also opposes that use for the land.
The city notes that the land is many miles from any reservation. It considered the fireworks a hazard because people often buy them and then set them off within city limits.
