Cops and loud music draws gunfire at campground

skipro3 wrote:

frankdamp wrote:
When a gun is fired "into the air", the projectile climbs to several thousand feet to where gravity overcomes momentum. At that point, said projectile starts back towards earth, gathering speed as it does so.

By the time it reaches the ground it's going about 75% of the speed at which it left the gun's muzzle. Who knows what it will hit? Certainly the dumb-butt who fired "harmlessly" into the air didn't understand the dynamics involved, but he'd be responsible for whatever mayhem the bullet caused.

That is SO not true!
A bullet fired at many times the speed of sound, say 1000m/s will not break the sound barrier, 300m/s after reaching it's terminal speed falling back to earth.

It is rather obvious that the bullet will land at a lower velocity - simple conservation of energy, and second law of thermodynamics.

Mythbusters even did a show on this and proved a typical bullet falls back to earth at about 100mph. In order to prove this, they dropped a bullet into a vertical wind tunnel. The wind had to be at 100mph in order to suspend the bullet in the air. Hence, a bullet will fall at 100mph. Now, will a bullet falling at 100mph (150feet per second) kill or even harm anyone? Mythbusters shot a bullet at 100mph, 150fps, measured with a chronograph, into a pig's head. (From a butcher's not a live pig) The bullet didn't even break the skin.

CPD: Celebratory Gunfire Is Dangerous & Illegal
Posted: Dec 30, 2011 11:57 AM EST
By Donna Willis
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Columbus Division of Police would like to remind its citizens to welcome in the New Year in a safe and responsible manner.

Celebrating the New Year with celebratory gunfire is potentially deadly and against the law.

People are put in harm's way when guns are fired aimlessly into the sky.

In 2009, a 6-year-old boy was killed in Miami, Fla., when he was hit by a stray bullet shortly after midnight.

In 2008, Columbus officers were involved in three, separate police-involved shootings due to revelers ringing in the New Year by shooting guns into the air.

Individuals who are observed firing weapons into the air will be charged and taken to jail.

Those caught could face anywhere from 60 days in jail to more serious charges if injury or death occur.

Remember, what goes up must come down, and the velocity of a bullet fired into the air, still has enough speed to enter a human body and do considerable damage, even death.

CPD encourages you to enjoy the holiday, think before you act and celebrate safely.

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