Advisory: Athens-Clarke County Police Warn Against Celebratory Gunfire

The men and women of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department wish everyone a happy New Year and encourage the public to celebrate the arrival of the New Year responsibly and safely.

Celebratory gunfire is unsafe, and it may result in death or injury from stray bullets. Property damage is sometimes another result of celebratory gunfire; shattered windows and damaged roofs are often found after such celebrations.

Discharging a firearm into the air may lead to charges under local ordinances, Georgia state law, or federal offenses.

In Athens-Clarke County, local ordinance 3-5-5 states:
* It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm onto or across the property of another without the express permission of the owner or other person in legal possession of such property.
* It shall be unlawful to fire a centerfire rifle within 900 feet of any structure reasonably capable of habitation or occupation in the legal possession of another without express permission of such other.
* It shall be unlawful to fire any other type of firearm within 600 feet of any structure reasonably capable of habitation or occupation in the legal possession of another without express permission of such other.
* It shall be unlawful to discharge any firearm within 150 feet of any public street, thoroughfare, way or alley.

You can enjoy the festivities of the New Year without placing others in danger. We do not want to see the New Year ruined by a senseless tragedy as a result of someone shooting a gun into the air.

If residents observe anyone criminally misusing a firearm, they are urged to immediately contact law enforcement by dialing 9-1-1.