Don’t celebrate the eve with skyward bullets, DA warns

[MartinBrody]

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news..._DA_warns.html

Don’t celebrate the eve with skyward bullets, DA warns

By Robert Moran

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
District Attorney Lynne Abraham warned Philadelphians who plan to shoot guns in the air tonight to celebrate the New Year that they face aggressive prosecution if caught.

Joined at a late-morning news conference by Joseph Jaskolka, who on New Year's Eve in 1998 was struck and disabled by a falling bullet, Abraham also warned revelers of the devastating costs of the dangerous tradition.

"This is a sobering message on what should be a night of celebration," Abraham said.

She delivered the same message last year, and that night police received 402 reports of gunfire or someone with a gun, and officers arrested 19 people.

Jaskolka was 11 when he was struck in the head with a bullet in South Philadelphia. Now 20, he uses a wheelchair and attends Delaware Technical and Community College.

The gunman was never identified.

[RoyJackson]

Actually makes sense...I've done this (years ago), but gravity does do it's thing, doesn't it?

[Pa. Patriot]

Actually makes sense...I've done this (years ago), but gravity does do it's thing, doesn't it?

As most already know, it's the low angle trajectory projectiles that cause the most damage. IOW, a shot fired at say a 45 degree angle, that still maintains a percentage of it's original velocity.

A bullet from a handgun or rifle fired straight up will only have a maximum velocity of a couple hundred feet per second on it's return trip. (terminal velocity due to gravity)
Same as dropping one from a tall building.

[scoutjoe]

A bullet from a handgun or rifle fired straight up will only have a maximum velocity of a couple hundred feet per second on it's return trip. (terminal velocity due to gravity)
Same as dropping one from a tall building.

uhhh its still fired buy some drunk gun owner and therefore it is all sorts of bad. Thats what senator mccarthy told me

[Pa. Patriot]

uhhh its still fired buy some drunk gun owner and therefore it is all sorts of bad. Thats what senator mccarthy told me

Your right!
Who am I to take away from their gun bashing in the name of science

[Kendrickson]

As most already know, it's the low angle trajectory projectiles that cause the most damage. IOW, a shot fired at say a 45 degree angle, that still maintains a percentage of it's original velocity.

A bullet from a handgun or rifle fired straight up will only have a maximum velocity of a couple hundred feet per second on it's return trip. (terminal velocity due to gravity)
Same as dropping one from a tall building.

I'll bet that it still smarts a little when it lands on your head.

[27hand]

So, If my buddy from Philly is visiting in my neighborhood and shoots into the air, someone from Philly is going to arrest me? er him?

Just kidding, I nor he would never violate safety rule #4. However, I did pull a 9mm bullet out of my shingles a few years back and gave it to the local police. I don't believe Phiily PD was making house calls then. (it looked like a bullet from there)

27hand

[Pa. Patriot]

I'll bet that it still smarts a little when it lands on your head.

I'd think.
But not lethal.

Maybe if it was something with some mass.... like a 600+ grain 50 cal

[Kendrickson]

I'd think.
But not lethal.

Maybe if it was something with some mass.... like a 600+ grain 50 cal

That smarts just thinking about it!

[Skullz]

I think Mythbusters busted the myth of a bullet returning to earth via a gravity being lethal.

They did mention the same thing as PA Patriot, the low angle trajectories are definitely dangerous.

Finally, I found this on David Codrea's blog.

December 29. 1775

In Schenectady, New York, the local Committee of Correspondence asks local magistrates to prevent the firing of guns on New Year's Day in order to conserve gun powder.


Ahh...The Founding Fathers' version of gun control...