TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Lawmakers have sent a bill to Gov. Chris Christie's desk to legalize the sale of sparklers and novelty fireworks in New Jersey.

The measure passed in the Assembly on Thursday and was previously approved by the state Senate. It now needs Christie's signature.

The law would allow people 16 and up to buy wire sparklers, non-explosive hand-held or ground-based sparking devices and other items like smoke devices and trick noisemakers.

Assemblyman John Burzichelli said that most states allow residents to buy that type of fireworks and that changing the law will let the state participate in the consumer pyrotechnics industry.