Fulton County, Ga. police warn they will arrest anyone who celebrates New Year’s Eve by firing guns into the air.
Fulton County Solicitor General Keith E. Gammage said celebratory gunfire causes deaths, injuries, and property damage.
“What goes up must come down — and too often, falling bullets injure or kill innocent people who are simply celebrating or resting in their homes,” Gammage said in a statement.
He said celebratory gunfire causes “catastrophic consequences.”
“This New Year’s Eve, celebrate with joy — not gunfire. Choose fireworks displays, music, gatherings with loved ones, and safe traditions. Let’s start the new year without preventable tragedy.”
The solicitor general’s office said gun owners can’t control where a bullet fired into the air will land.
Savannah, Georgia police also warned against celebratory gunfire.
“We just don’t want people to get hurt. It’s a safety issue,” Savannah Police Department (SPD) Sgt. Barry Lewis said. “Sometimes we’ll get people who will take their car, drive down Abercorn or something and shoot up in the air. It happens.”
Lewis said Savannah police will be on high alert this New Year’s Eve. They are often notified by neighbors or ShotSpotter reports.
People who are caught shooting into the air can be charged with reckless conduct, aggravated assault or involuntary manslaughter.
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 and New Year’s Day.
“A consequence is you can go to jail. Another consequence is you can hurt somebody to the point of death and they’ll be accountable and go to prison,” Lewis said. “And the idea of taking somebody’s life will be on their conscience.”
Americans have been killed by bullets that rain down on their homes during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
In 2025, a 32-year-old Houston woman was shot in the leg by celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Day, and, in 2024, a 12-year-old Houston girl was injured by a stray bullet on Christmas Eve.
