The Brief
- Law enforcement in Georgia is warning against celebratory gunfire during holidays like New Year’s Eve, emphasizing its deadly risks and the potential for tragic incidents, such as the death of 4-year-old Marquel Peters in 2010.
- East Point Police Chief Sean Buchanan and Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum are advocating for increased police presence and strict consequences for those caught engaging in celebratory gunfire.
- Georgia prosecutors are taking a firm stance against celebratory gunfire, pledging year-long sentences, fines, and probation for offenders, and may seek firearm confiscation and psychological evaluations.
- Celebratory gunfire is illegal under Georgia law, with specific regulations against firing guns on private property without permission, near public roads, or while under the influence, with violations considered misdemeanors.
- Authorities are urging communities to prioritize safety and use alternatives like fireworks to celebrate, aiming to prevent further tragedies and safeguard public safety.
EAST POINT, Ga. – Law enforcement across Georgia is warning gun owners not to fire their weapons into the air to ring in the New Year. The old saying “what goes up, must come down” is true, but with celebratory gunfire, it can be deadly.
East Point Police Chief Sean Buchanan is urging residents to prioritize safety as they ring in the New Year, emphasizing a firm stance against celebratory gunfire. “As we approach this New Year 2025, we have a lot of great opportunities for us, and that goes for you too,” Buchanan said in a video posted to Facebook on New Year’s Eve. “Our number one goal at the police department is to keep this city safe.”
Highlighting the dangers of celebratory gunfire, Buchanan appealed to the community to avoid this dangerous tradition, which he said claims lives across the United States each year. “Please, do not shoot guns in the air,” Buchanan said. “Celebratory gunfire causes many deaths each year in the United States.”…