NEW YEARS FIREWORKS ARE OK, BUT NOT FIREARMS.

By Ben Sessions on January 1st, 2018 in Criminal Defense

It is okay to celebrate New Years with fireworks, but do not celebrate with firearms.

Throughout Georgia and the south, it is customary to celebrate holidays, particularly New Years and July 4th, with fireworks. Fireworks obviously pose significant risks to people lighting them and, potentially, to those watching fireworks. Unfortunately, many people also discharge firearms in connection with or in the place of fireworks. The discharge of firearms in this manner is illegal under almost all circumstances. Firearms should not be used to celebrate, and the firing of guns to celebrate any holiday is highly dangerous.

Thanks to the Macon Telegraph and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office for this reminder:

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is urging people not to celebrate the New Year by shooting guns into the air.

“When you fire something up into the air, it must come down,” a release stated. “Stray bullets can damage personal property and it can cause personal injury or even death.”

The release also stated the fireworks are allowed between 10 a.m. and midnight on New Year’s Eve, and midnight to 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day. No one under 18 should be discharging fireworks.

NEW YEARS FIREWORKS ARE OK BUT NOT FIREARMS: WHY DO FIREARMS POSE PARTICULAR RISKS WHEN USE FOR CELEBRATIONS?

Some firearms posing less significant risks than others when they are discharged in the air. The bullets from rifles travel significant distances, but are a single bullet. The person firing a rifle into the air has no idea where the bullet will ultimately land or what it will hit. A shotgun being fired in the air also poses incredible dangers, but for different reasons. A shotgun fired straight up in the air (or nearly straight up) is going to shower the observers of the firing with pellets shortly after firing. This is incredibly dangerous for onlookers. Hopefully, with the legalization of the sale of fireworks in Georgia, the number of people that use firearms to celebrate holidays will decrease and this dangerous use of guns will fall out of favor.

If you or someone that you care about is hurt as a result of fireworks or firearms/guns, call The Sessions Law Firm today for a free consultation.