Santa Monica Police Remind Residents Not to Fire Guns to Celebrate New Year

December 28, 2012 -- Santa Monica Police officials want residents to remember that it is illegal to fire guns to celebrate the New Year.

“Each year throughout the country, as part of the New Year’s Eve celebration, many individuals discharge their firearms into the air, not realizing the potential consequences of their actions,” Police officials said.

Sergeant Richard Lewis reminds people that it not only is it dangerous, it's against the law.

“It's a felony,” Lewis said. “What goes up must come down. A bullet traveling down still has enough velocity to kill.”

“The negligent discharge of a firearm is... punishable by imprisonment in state prison. If arrested, your bail will be $35,000.00,” officials said.

“If a stray bullet fired by you should kill someone, you WILL be arrested for murder,” they said.

Though Santa Monica has had incidents of people shooting guns during past New Year's celebrations, Lewis said that there weren't any last year.

And he hopes that this year will be the same.

“We want people to enjoy themselves,” said Lewis. To that end, he wants to remind people to avoid other potentially dangerous situations.

“If (people) are going out, make sure they have a sober driver,” Lewis said. “Being drunk in public is a crime as well.”

People who are heavily intoxicated and not able to take caare of themselves can be arrested and be made to spend the night in jail.

“Be peaceful,” Lewis said, and be aware that even if you are following the law, there may be people around who aren't.

SMPD asks that if residents see someone shooting a gun, to call 9-1-1.

“Give the 9-1-1 dispatcher as much information as possible about the shooting,” officials said. “If you only hear gunfire, call Santa Monica Police Dispatch at 310-458-8491 immediately.”