By Daily Press staff
All too often, New Year’s Eve can translate into random gunfire, much to the dismay of police.
But local authorities hope no one will ring in the new year in Santa Monica with a bullet. Fatalities are reported each year as a result of stray bullets and authorities this week warned against firing guns into the air, saying such acts would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The ritual of shooting firearms on New Year’s Eve may have started in Mexico, but it has moved into the Los Angeles area in the last decade, as well as across the country.
Stray bullets kill and injure innocent people each year. Discharging a firearm into the air is a felony and punishable by one year in state prison. If someone dies as a result of the bullet, the shooter will be charged with murder.
Santa Monica Police Chief James T. Butts, Jr. is urging the continued support of the community in ensuring a safe New Year’s celebration. California Penal Code Section 246.3 prohibits negligent discharging of firearms. Any person who violates section 246.3 of the California Penal Code will have their firearm confiscated and will be arrested for a felony crime. If arrested, bail can be set at $25,000.
Researchers report that a bullet fired into the air can climb as high as two miles and remain in flight for more than a minute. That was the case a couple of years ago when a bullet traveled more than seven blocks and struck a window at a pre-school next to Santa Monica College.
Police urges anyone that witnesses a person shoot a gun to report it to local authorities by calling 9-1-1 and giving the police dispatcher as much information as possible in regards to the shooting. If anyome hears gunfire, they are urged to call (310) 458-8491 immediately.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 31, 2004. Read the original PDF.