The South Bend Police Department is among the many reminding residents not to shoot a gun in the air to celebrate the new year at midnight.
The department posted on Facebook:
“There are a lot of things you can do when the clock strikes midnight for the new year… shooting a gun in the air shouldn’t be one of them. Recklessly discharging a firearm in South Bend could result in a $2,500 fine – or worse – property damage and injuries.”
Indianapolis Metro Police issued a statement:
“A bullet fired into the air can ascend a mile or more in the air. Smaller caliber ammunition can fall at a rate of 300 feet per second and larger caliber ammunition can fall at a rate of 500 feet per second,” IMPD said. “A rate of 150 to 170 feet per second can penetrate the human skin, while a velocity of 200 feet per second is sufficient to penetrate the human skull.”
Police encourage anybody who sees someone firing a weapon to call 911.
2 comments
Yet stupid people do this every New Year’s Eve and 4th of July. They don’t know the consequences with what goes up comes down. Do you remember last year when somebody shot the 14th floor of the County City Building. The bullet lodged inside the building’s ceiling. These folks are not responsible gun owners.
I’d say they aren’t responsible PEOPLE, period.