Shooting a firearm on New Years is considered a felony
By Daily Press staff
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.
“It’s outrageous and it shouldn’t be,” said LAPD spokesman Jack Richter. “It’s just stupid.”
Dozens of people die each year from 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.
“It’s a problem in Los Angeles County,” said Santa Monica Police Lt. Frank Fabrega. “But people are adhering to the new laws and last year was a dramatic improvement from the year before.”
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.
Researchers report that a bullet fired into the air can climb two miles into the air and remain in flight more than a minute. As it falls, the bullet reaches a velocity of 300 to 700 feet per second. A velocity of only 200 feet per second is sufficient to penetrate the human skull.
“That bullet can literally travel for blocks,” Fabrega said. “In all honesty, they travel faster when they are coming down.”
While law enforcement, in partnership with the community, local businesses and the media, has made an impact on reducing indiscriminate gunfire, the problem persists. Local law enforcement is once again asking the community to celebrate the new year safely and responsibly. Don’t fire guns in the air. Remember what goes up will come down and when a bullet comes down it is traveling at a fatal velocity.
If you see a person shoot a gun, report it immediately by calling 911 and give the dispatcher as much information as possible. If you only hear gunfire, call (310) 458-8491 immediately.
Any person who violates section 246.3 of the California Penal Code will have their firearm(s) confiscated and will be arrested for a felony crime. Shooters can and will be arrested and prosecuted for negligent discharge of a firearm, which is a felony and punishable by imprisonment in state prison. If arrested your bail will be $25,000.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 31, 2002. Read the original PDF.