Georgia police warned they will arrest those who celebrate New Year’s Eve by firing guns into the air.
In statements on Tuesday, law enforcement officials warned against celebratory gunfire and the potential for deadly incidents. Americans all over the country have been killed by bullets that rain down on their homes during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
One tragic incident occurred on New Year’s Eve in 2010 when 4-year-old Marquel Peters was killed while attending a church service in Decatur, a suburb of Atlanta. A stray bullet fired into the air fell through the church roof, killing Marquel instantly.
Marquel’s death led to the creation of Marquel’s Pledge, a campaign aimed at stopping celebratory gunfire across Georgia.
One of the tools used by law enforcement agencies is ShotSpotter, a gunfire locator service that alerts police to celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve, on New Year’s Day, and on the Fourth of July.
Law enforcement agencies are encouraging gun owners to prioritize safety to prevent further tragedies. Georgia prosecutors are taking a hard stance on celebratory gunfire with year-long jail sentences and stiff fines for those caught firing guns into the air.
East Point Police Chief Sean Buchanan has prepared space in his jail for people who celebrate New Year’s Eve with gunfire. “Our number one goal at the police department is to keep this city safe,” he said in a video posted to Facebook.
“Please do not shoot guns in the air,” Buchanan said. “Celebratory gunfire causes many deaths each year in the United States.”
“We’ll have three times the number of officers on our streets, and they will be strategically placed within neighborhoods to catch people shooting firearms,” he added. “We don’t want to lock people up on New Year’s Eve, but if you’re shooting a firearm, that’s where you’re going — to jail,” he said.
