3 ms·

I was under the impression that firing into the air, especially in limited amounts, was generally non-fatal. The Wikipedia article on Celebratory Gunfire seems

by maxmcd 13y ago

I was under the impression that firing into the air, especially in limited amounts, was generally non-fatal. The Wikipedia article on Celebratory Gunfire seems to confirm my assumption. Deaths and injuries are possible, but usually only accompanying large amount of gunfire. There actions are still not without fault, but I can imagine a few more important aspects of this issue that we could be debating. "Highly Dangerous" seems excessive

gfody 13y ago
http://mythbustersresults.com/episode50 http://mythbustersresults.com/episode50 In the case of a bullet fired at a precisely vertical angle (something extremely difficult for a human being to duplicate), the bullet would tumble, lose its spin, and fall at a much slower speed due to terminal velocity and is therefore rendered less than lethal on impact. However, if a bullet is fired upward at a non-vertical angle (a far more probable possibility), it will maintain its spin and will reach a high enough speed to be lethal on impact. Because of this potentiality, firing a gun into the air is illegal in most states, and even in the states that it is legal, it is not recommended by the police. Also the MythBusters were able to identify two people who had been injured by falling bullets, one of them fatally injured. To date, this is the only myth to receive all three ratings at the same time.
- MichaelApproved 13y ago
  I remember it differently. The bullet would tumble back down so long as the angle didnt allow for the bullet to arc over. You do t have to shoot up perfectly for it to fall backwards and tumble down. There's a pretty wide margin for shoot up that would cause the bullet to fall back on itself and not cause as much harm as a bullet which held an arc.
pondababa 13y ago
It's unlikely that it will hit someone, but it can, so you don't do it. Remember rule 4: know your target and what's beyond it. You don't pull the trigger unless you know where each projectile will come to rest.

by maxmcd 13y ago

gfody 13y ago

http://mythbustersresults.com/episode50 http://mythbustersresults.com/episode50 In the case of a bullet fired at a precisely vertical angle (something extremely difficult for a human being to duplicate), the bullet would tumble, lose its spin, and fall at a much slower speed due to terminal velocity and is therefore rendered less than lethal on impact. However, if a bullet is fired upward at a non-vertical angle (a far more probable possibility), it will maintain its spin and will reach a high enough speed to be lethal on impact. Because of this potentiality, firing a gun into the air is illegal in most states, and even in the states that it is legal, it is not recommended by the police. Also the MythBusters were able to identify two people who had been injured by falling bullets, one of them fatally injured. To date, this is the only myth to receive all three ratings at the same time.

MichaelApproved 13y ago
I remember it differently. The bullet would tumble back down so long as the angle didnt allow for the bullet to arc over. You do t have to shoot up perfectly for it to fall backwards and tumble down. There's a pretty wide margin for shoot up that would cause the bullet to fall back on itself and not cause as much harm as a bullet which held an arc.

pondababa 13y ago

It's unlikely that it will hit someone, but it can, so you don't do it. Remember rule 4: know your target and what's beyond it. You don't pull the trigger unless you know where each projectile will come to rest.