Is It Illegal to Fire a Gun into the Air in Arizona?

We've all seen news reports of people in other countries celebrating victories by firing guns into the air. I've always wondered what happened to all those stray bullets launched skyward. After all, anything what goes up, must come down.

And bullets are no exception.

What Happens When You Shoot a Bullet into the Air

When you shoot a bullet into the air, it flies upwards until its initial kinetic energy is exhausted.

Then, it reverses course and starts to fall toward the ground, accelerating as it gets closer to the earth. As it comes under gravity, the bullet reaches terminal velocity, as it's limited by air resistance.

READ: 5 Things You Should Never Say to an Arizona Gun Owner

Consider this: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falling bullets can hit the ground at speeds greater than 61 meters per second (m/s). A bullet traveling between 46 and 61 m/s can penetrate the skin.

Bullets can travel as fast as ninety meters per second (about 200 mph), and those projectiles can penetrate a skull.

Is it Legal to Shoot a Gun into the Air in Arizona?

Compared to most of the United States, Arizona has lenient gun laws. Adults are usually allowed to concealed and open carry sidearms without a permit. There are rules and laws gun owners are expected to follow. Firing a gun in city limits, for example, is strictly forbidden.

READ: Own a Gun in AZ? You Need to Know This Before You Travel

Is it legal to fire a gun into the air in Arizona? According to ARS 13-3107, this practice is illegal.

ARS 13-3107 Part A states, 'A person who with criminal negligence discharges a firearm within or into the limits of any municipality is guilty of a class 6 felony.'

The law was enacted in 1999 after a stray bullet tragically killed a 14-year-old girl named Shannon Smith. Called "Shannon's Law," it is illegal to discharge a firearm into the air within city limits. This law, passed in 2000, makes it a Class 6 felony.

Sources: Grand Canyon Law | Survival World | ARS 13-3107 | New Scientist | Centers for Disease Control (CDC)