Bibb Sheriff’s Office: Please refrain from celebratory gunfire

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is asking people celebrating the new year not to shoot their guns into the air. 

In a news release, the sheriff’s office says celebratory gunfire is not only dangerous, but also against the law. Shooting firearms recklessly and discharging a firearm 50 yards from a public street or highway are both against the law. 

Stray bullets can damage personal property and it can cause personal injury, or even death.

“When people do celebratory gunfire, that projectile is going to come down somewhere and we don’t want it to come down and strike an individual,” said Lt. Randy Gonzalez of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, “Because that can be potentially fatal if it does hit a person.”

Lt. Gonzalez also said that being caught shooting a gun in the air could lead to a misdemeanor charge and potential jail time.

“We do take that seriously, that type of offense,” Lt. Gonzalez continued, “No time is a good time or a right time for celebratory gunfire.”

If anyone hears gunfire or sees anything suspicious, call the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at (478) 751-7500 to report what they heard.