He must be tried this Friday in immediate appearance before the criminal court of Meaux (Seine-et-Marne). A young adult is being prosecuted for firing a fireworks mortar into a classroom full of students on Monday at his high school in Chelles. A case far from being isolated because the same scene took place Thursday in several schools in Toulouse, Pessac, Nantes or Clermont (Oise). “It has become a game of shooting police officers, firefighters and now principals and teachers,” laments Jean-Christophe Couvy, national secretary of the Police Unit union.
However, the misuse of these explosive devices is not new. “We were confronted with them during the riots after Nahel’s death, but gangs have been using them in neighborhoods for years to target police officers or police stations,” says the trade unionist. Since the start of the high school mobilization, the phenomenon has further grown with shootings increasing in processions or around establishments. “It makes noise and color so it’s very visual and the videos go viral on the networks,” emphasizes Jean-Christophe Couvy.
Designed for a festive setting, these fireworks mortars now serve as weapons by destination when they are fired horizontally. With risk of injury or serious burns for the people who are targeted. “But as these are non-lethal weapons, the offenders understood that they risked less if they were arrested,” believes the unionist. To stem this scourge, the authorities have tightened regulations on fireworks mortars in recent years. The Ripost law adopted this summer now punishes the carrying or transport of these explosive devices without legitimate reason with three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros. And up to five years in prison if these fireworks are used to commit violence or damage property.
“But I am waiting to see the first person who will be sentenced to such a sentence,” reacts Jean-Christophe Couvy. Because we can make all the repressive laws we want, it is of no use if the judicial chain does not follow. And in the meantime, we continue to get sprayed with paving stones and mortars. In the imagination, it has even become acceptable and we cannot let that go. »
Should we then prohibit the sale of these category F2 and F3 fireworks which can legally only be purchased by adults? Many prefectures already impose such bans during festivities such as New Year or July 14 or on the sidelines of certain events. But according to the police unionist, the effect of these bans remains very limited. “It’s very easy to obtain it in Germany, Belgium or Eastern countries and there is a very parallel, very organized market for obtaining it,” he assures.
A few clicks are enough to buy fireworks mortars with ads that abound on social networks, encrypted messaging and even resale platforms like Vinted. “We have been alerting the public authorities for years about these mortars which are a real plague,” warns Jean-Christophe. But to stem this delinquency, the perpetrators must be truly punished for their actions. »
