Police Warn Against Celebratory Gunfire In Houston

HOUSTON — Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez are warning Houstonians to avoid taking their guns out to celebrate July 4th with celebratory gunfire bu shooting into the air.

Acevedo and Gonzalez each addressed the issue on Tuesday, just as they do each year ahead of the July 4th and New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations.

"Do not ruin a good time with unnecessary gun fire," Gonzalez said during a visit to the Aldine community in northeast Harris County on Tuesday.

Media Advisory: We’ll hold a press conference today at 10 am at the Harris County 911 Emergency Call Center, located at 3000 Aldine Mail Rt. to address ‘celebratory gunfire’ for the July 4th holiday.

Follow livestream on our Facebook. Release: https://t.co/goI7e2RI8h. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/TYJv4YMd6D
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) July 2, 2019

While sheriff's deputies, constables and police will be out in force looking for drunk drivers, they will also be out addressing other public safety issues, such as celebratory gunfire.

Celebratory gunfire is the act of firing a handgun or rifle into the air, usually during fireworks displays.

Actions like these can cause injury or death if someone is hit by a stray bullet, whether that person is outside, in their home, or in a vehicle.

"When you discharge a firearm in celebratory gunfire, whatever goes up has to come down," Acevedo said.

Celebratory gunfire is illegal in Texas and can lead to prison time, and kill or seriously injure another person.

On Dec. 31, 2017, Houston Police responded to at least 1,500 calls related to celebratory gunfire, according to a KPRC report.

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