Don’t Shoot! What Goes Up Must Come Down.



Every year, New Year's Eve brings another opportunity to say good bye to the old and welcome in the possibilities of a new year. Unfortunately, too many times that celebration is marked by indiscriminate gun fire into the air. Don't believe the myth: Bullets shot into the air eventually return to earth. As the old adage says, "what goes up, must come down" and each year stories arise around the country telling of unsuspecting victims struck and tragically injured by falling bullets from celebratory gunfire.

In fact, a study conducted by a group of physicians at the Martin Luther King/Drew Medical Centre in Los Angeles between 1985 and 1992 revealed that the chance of the being fatally wounded by falling bullets was far higher than a typical shooting. "The hospital put deaths from regular shootings between 2% and 6%, while for those struck by falling bullets the death rate was close to one third."(1)

We at Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff station would like the public to know, shooting into the air is not only irresponsible, but is also a felony. Willfully discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner which could result in injury or death to a person is a violation of section 246.3(a) of the California penal code. If you see anyone discharging a firearm in public, call 9-1-1, but don't attempt to confront them.

Walnut/Diamond Bar station personnel would like to wish all of you a happy and safe New Year's Eve.

(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7996596

Contact Information: Sgt Byron Ward - 909-951-2264,