Gun owners in Demopolis are advised to not fire celebratory shots into the air on New Year’s Eve.

DPD Chief Tommie Reese said weapons should not be used to celebrate the start of the new year because, not only is it illegal to fire a weapon in the city limits, but it could also result in serious injury or death.

“Firing a piece of lead into the air, when it comes down, it’s going to come down with the same velocity that it went up, and if someone is under it, you could have serious injury or death,” Reese said. “You can’t think of a worse scenario than knowing that the bullet fired from your gun might case the death of a family member, a child, your neighbor or just a stranger. Discharging a firearm in the city limits is illegal. Fireworks can be just as exciting if used in a safe manner.”