End Celebratory Gunfire this New Year's - $1000 Fines

The Atlanta Police Department is actively asking residents in Atlanta, including our communities, to not engage in "celebratory gunfire" this New Year's Eve.

Celebratory gunfire is when people discharge their weapons up in the air as part of the celebration of the New Year.  The dangerous and sometimes fatal problem occurs after those bullets reach their highest point and then fall back to the ground.  If hit by one of these falling bullets, the chances are high that you will be fatally injured.

"If you fire a gun into the air, the bullet can travel up to a mile high and then it will fall. When that bullet falls and hits someone, it can have the same impact as when you aim and fire at someone," says Officer Lyon.

On New Year's Day 2010 during church services, a 4‐year‐old was sitting next to his mother when he was struck and killed by a bullet believed to have been fired by a New Year's Eve reveler.  The stray bullet came through the roof of the sanctuary and struck the boy on the top of his head.

Celebratory gunfire is against the law. If you are caught firing a gun into the air, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $1000.00.