Shooting a gun into the air to celebrate the New Year is not only dangerous for all those present, but is also a felony and can result in serving a jail sentence, according to officials.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department wants all to know shooting into the air is not only irresponsible, but a felony-level crime. Willfully discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent
manner which could result in injury or death to a person is a violation of section 246.3(a) of the California Penal Code.

“Unfortunately and all too often, the celebration of brooming-out the old and welcoming-in the new is disrupted by indiscriminate gunfire into the air,” said a Los Angeles County Sheriff news release. “The adage of ‘what goes up, must come down’ rings especially true in this case, and with the acceleration of gravity, physics determine free-falling objects speed up as they return to earth.”

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The danger of injuring someone with firing even a single round into the air is a lethal prospect, the news release explained.

“Each year, tragic reports nationwide tell of unsuspecting victims being struck and tragically injured by falling bullets caused by celebratory gunfire,” the news release said.

Despite public warnings from numerous law enforcement agencies, many people across Los Angeles disregard advisements and basic firearm safety, and discharge firearms into the air to celebrate the end year holiday.

“Last year, as we all rang in 2017, deputies responded to 117 “Illegal shooting” calls for service throughout Los Angeles County, neighboring contract cities and unincorporated communities,” officials continued. “Of these calls, one male adult was struck by a descending bullet, causing a laceration to the back of his head as he stood in his front yard.”

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If you see someone discharge a firearm in public or into the air, take immediate shelter and call 911. Do not attempt to confront the shooter, officials urge.

“So, enjoy all the fun of New Year’s Eve offerings safely, but allow others the same opportunity to celebrate, as well: Don’t shoot, the news release concluded.

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