As the clock ticks down to midnight, it’s tempting to let loose and celebrate with a bang. But firing a gun into the air? That’s one New Year’s tradition you’ll want to leave in the last century—for your safety, your wallet, and your freedom.
The Legal Buzzkill
What goes up must come down, and that includes legal consequences:
- California: Under Penal Code § 246.3, shooting into the air could land you a "New Year’s Eve special" in the form of jail time.
- Florida: Recklessly firing a gun in public or on residential property (§ 790.15) could upgrade your fireworks display to a first-degree misdemeanor—and not the fun kind.
- Maryland: In the Free State, firing from a vehicle with reckless abandon could make you a prime candidate for reckless endangerment charges (§ 3-204).
- Pennsylvania: The Keystone State considers where and how you fire, but let’s be real—no one wants to explain their “midnight moment” in court (United States v. Riley).
The Unfun Physics
Those “festive” bullets? They don’t evaporate into sparkles. They fall—fast and hard.
- The California Supreme Court (People v. Ramirez) warned that falling bullets don’t care if it’s a holiday—they’ll pierce roofs, cars, and unfortunately, people.
- In Illinois, People v. Collins made it clear: firing into the air is about as safe as juggling knives blindfolded.
The Bottom Line
Skip the fireworks disguised as firearms this New Year’s. The risk of jail time, fines, or injuring someone just isn’t worth the momentary thrill. Let’s start the new year with resolutions, not recklessness.
Celebrate smarter. Leave the bang to the confetti cannons.