Authorities issue warning on New Year’s Eve gunfire

John Torres, left, a special agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, discusses with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Sheriff Lee Baca the ShotSpotter technology used to detect gunfire and pinpoint its location during a Tuesday press conference at the Century Sheriff’s Station in Lynwood. The officials urged the public not to shoot guns in the air to celebrate the New Year. (Photo by Gary McCarthy)

By WIRE SERVICES

Story Created: Dec 30, 2009 at 7:16 PM PST

Story Updated: Dec 31, 2009 at 1:53 AM PST

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Southland revelers are being warned to avoid celebrating the New Year by firing guns in the air, an offense that could lead to a year in prison — or more if a stray bullet kills or injures someone.

A small-caliber bullet rockets two miles high at 300 to 700 feet per second and it will return to earth at a powerful enough velocity to penetrate a human skull, authorities said.

County Sheriff Lee Baca and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa issued a warning Tuesday from the Century Sheriff’s Station in Lynwood, along with John Torres, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the area.

“ATF wants to ensure that all those celebrating New Year’s Eve have a great time and enjoy family and friends,” Torres said. “We don’t want to see the New Year ruined by senseless tragedy just because someone thought it would be ‘fun’ to shoot a gun in the air. Random gunfire on New Year’s Eve has gone down significantly in recent years, but even one is too many.”

Torres also reminded residents that illegal fireworks can be deadly, particularly in the hands of children.

“ATF will continue to work with our state and local law enforcement partners to ensure that persons who possess firearms or fireworks illegally are prosecuted to the fullest extent possible to include federal prosecution if warranted,” Torres said.

Baca and Villaraigosa also demonstrated the ShotSpotter technology used to detect the sound of gunfire and pinpoint where it originated.

Residents who see someone firing a gun in the air or using illegal fireworks were urged to call police or the ATF at (800) 283-4867.

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