I'm probably not being very PC or in line with the thought of younger millennials (i'm 28), but I think people should certainly be able to shoot off fireworks for celebration. The part about it being symbolic of war is bothersome, but in the modern age for most of us it's a quaint retrospective on our war for independence literally hundreds of years ago. That isn't to say anything about current conflicts or people with PTSD (my dad said fireworks remind him of mortars in vietnam which makes me very sad). As for the environmental impact, it's probably no worse than any big holiday. We can't have that argument without talking about all the plastic cups and decorations from St. Patrick's day or Cinco de Mayo. The dangers of people injuring themselves are on the people. We don't ban cars because people drive like idiots, we regulate them. Just like we should regulate fireworks to certain days and we don't sell fireworks to young people. I think if we're talking about it being offensive to shoot off rockets in memory of a military victory from hundreds of years ago--that's just reaching a little too far. I think it's absurd to say we should ban them all together. There are plenty of holidays where fireworks can be used in a celebratory manner that has nothing to do with representing military conflict.
There is the issue of fireworks setting off fires in the more flammable of towns (supposedly an issue where I live). But past that, I agree with most of what you said.The dangers of people injuring themselves are on the people. We don't ban cars because people drive like idiots, we regulate them. Just like we should regulate fireworks to certain days and we don't sell fireworks to young people.
My wife had to wake up at 4:30 the next day to open the cafe she helps manage. The day after sucked for her. We're both old and cranky beyond our years. (we're 35ish)