King County Sheriff Warns Against 'Celebratory' Gunfire on New Year's Eve

The King County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday urged residents with firearms preparing to fire off a few rounds to celebrate the New Year tomorrow night with three words: “Don’t Do It!”

“Any bullet fired from a gun must land somewhere and the risks of causing an injury or death is significant”, said King County Sheriff John Urquhart in a news release.

Every year around the country people are injured and killed by celebratory gunfire and law enforcement officials want to keep that from happening in King County.

The Sheriff’s Office said if they can pinpoint someone shooting they will fully enforce the law.  At a minimum a person can be charged with Reckless Endangerment and if convicted can land the shooter in jail for up to 364 days and imposed a fine of up to $5,000.

Sheriff Urquhart said the bottom line for New Year’s Eve was a simple calculation.

"Have fun but don’t risk lives," he said. “Don’t spend your last day of 2012 in jail.”