Bullets Come Down: Help Stop Celebratory Gunfire this New Years

Million Mom March (united with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence) ^ | 12/23/2004 | Brady Campaign/MMM

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Bullets Come Down: Help Stop Celebratory Gunfire this New Years
	Action Alert Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence United with the Million Mom March 1225 Eye Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 www.bradycampaign.org Brady/MMM is joining with America's police departments to urge Americans not to engage in what police call "celebratory gunfire" -- the indiscriminate firing of weapons into the air. On New Years Eve, scores of people will place others at risk of injury or death because of celebratory gunfire. When a bullet is fired into the air, the bullet has to come down somewhere. This holiday season, help spread the word about the dangers of "celebratory gunfire" - the practice of firing a gun indiscriminately into the air to celebrate the beginning of the New Year. For activists and chapters looking for a project over the holiday week, we suggest contacting your local police and asking them if you can help spread the word about an annual firearm threat that more-and-more cities are facing. Brady/MMM will be issuing a press release on Tuesday, December 28, urging Americans not to engage in celebratory gunfire. The body of the press release is below. Your local police department would probably appreciate help from the Moms in spreading the word about this problem. It is not just about convincing potential shooters to think again - public attention on the problem can also increase peer pressure from the potential shooter's friends and relatives. Your efforts could lead to someone urging a spouse or friend to "put the gun away." Here's an early draft of next Tuesday's press release: Washington, D.C. - In dozens of American communities this New Years Eve, overexcited individuals will welcome in 2005 with an act of stupidity that may kill an innocent person in the bargain. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the Million Mom March is joining with America's police departments to urge Americans not to engage in what police call "celebratory gunfire" - the indiscriminate unloading of weapons into the air. On New Years Eve and Independence Day each year, scores of people place others at risk of injury or death as a result of celebratory gunfire. When a bullet is fired into the air, the bullet has to come down somewhere. The practice of celebratory gunfire has been a problem in cities like Miami, New Orleans, Phoenix and Los Angeles and in towns along the U.S. and Mexico border. Last year, it became such a problem in Puerto Rico that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were called in for advice. "Every police group in America supports national and local efforts to educate citizens on the dangers of celebratory gunfire," said John Shanks, Law Enforcement Relations Director for Brady/MMM. "Every police officer in America would urge people not to do something as reckless as this." "The danger inherent in this activity ought to be obvious," continued Shanks. "It makes no sense whatsoever to fire a weapon into the air, not knowing where the bullet may fall. This is probably the most unsafe, crazy practice people engage in on New Years Eve." Four years ago, Phoenix, Arizona enacted Shannon's law, in memory of 14 year-old Shannon Smith, killed by a stray bullet in June 1999 while talking on her phone in her back yard. The law makes it a felony to fire a gun into the air within the city limits. Yet in 2003, there were still 95 cases of random gunfire successfully prosecuted in the city of Phoenix. How dangerous can it get? Consider one of the risks facing America's service men and women in Iraq. Last November, celebratory gunfire in Baghdad following the death of Saddam Hussein's two sons cost 31 Iraqis their lives, including two young children. Seventy-six others were wounded.

[shellshocked]

About the last time I heard of someone being killed by a falling bullet is was shot by an illegal from Mexico. Guns don't kill people, stupid people do.

[packrat01]

I didn't know that. Hadn't tried yet.

But then, all my neighbors are too close for doing any trenching... Then, there's the gas main that runs through the place. Don't want to crack that, even by accident. (the secondary'd be better than the primary!)

[Condor51]

The New Orleans was the only city that I wondered about, but the press release should have included Chicago. On New Years Eve its practically a 'free fire zone' in the 90% of the city that's now "Hispanic".

And it didn't use to be that way, that is a fact. In the neighborhood I grew up in, Brighton Park-McKinley Park area, gun shots were never heard (and we had plenty of guns in our homes). Now that those areas are 98% "Hispanic" ...... fugetaboutit. The animals think and act like they're still in frigging Juarez or Chihuahua.