Sheriff's Reminder: Don't Shoot on New Year's

When the party starts, and it’s time to ring in the new year, law enforcement advises people to never shoot guns into the air.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles Police Department are reminding locals not to shoot guns in the air on New Year's Eve or day.

“When you get to New Year’s bang pots and pans [instead],” Sheriff’s Captain Dave Silversparre said at Crescenta Valley Town Council’s meeting in December. Silversparre’s message comes from a Los Angeles city and county campaign. 

Shooting a gun in the air is a felony and a person could spend up to one year in prison if found, according to a release from both the Los Angeles Police Department and los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. 

“If a stray bullet from your gun should kill someone, you will be arrested and charged with murder,” according to the news release. 

A bullet fired into the air can climb up to about two miles and when it returns can reach a speed of 300 to 700 feet per second, officials said.

Officials urge anyone who watches another person who fires a gun to call sheriff’s deputies or police.

Remember, what goes up will come down," according to LAPD's New Year's Eve Gunfire Reduction Program website.