Sheriff Clarke: Shoot a gun into the air to celebrate New Year's Eve, and you'll be charged with a felony

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- This New Year's Eve, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke is encouraging people to "use their heads." He's warning against shooting guns in celebration at midnight and driving while under the influence.

Law enforcement officials will be busy on New Year's Eve -- patrolling our roadways in an effort to stop, test and arrest drunk drivers and keep everyone safe. But they're also worried about a dangerous New Year's Eve tradition.

In a statement issued to FOX6 News, Sheriff Clarke said: "On New Year’s Eve, it’s not uncommon for police to receive multiple reports of gunfire. Many people unlawfully shoot guns into the air as a way to bring in the New Year. This is dangerous, and it is illegal. The penalties for this reckless behavior are severe. If a bullet kills a person, a homicide suspect could face up to 25 years in prison."

Sheriff Clarke says a bullet fired into the air can climb up to two miles.  When it comes down, it can fall 300-700 feet per second. Sheriff Clarke warns that citizens shooting guns will be arrested and prosecuted.

"There's nothing we can do to prevent it. We put out the warning. We put out the message. This isn't the back 40 of rural Georgia, okay? This is a densely populated area and people are living on top of each other," Sheriff Clarke said on New Year's Eve.

Since 2011, the Milwaukee Police Department has utilized the "Shot Spotter" program. Technology helps to pinpoint the precise location of gunfire in the city of Milwaukee.

Sheriff Clarke says his office has made arrests for the celebratory shooting of guns in the past.

"And we will tonight. It's a felony charge and we pursue it aggressively to get that charge to stick -- get somebody convicted of a felony," Sheriff Clarke said.

Sheriff Clarke says shooting a gun into the air at midnight is an easy way to ruin someone's night, or possibly, their life.

"I don't want to hear any whining and whaling from people after they get arrested and charged with a felony and say 'I was just trying to bring in the New Year.' Well, you're not going to bring it in that way. If you fire it in the air, there's nothing it's going to hit until it comes down," Sheriff Clarke said.

In addition to investigating these shots fired incidents, Sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement officials will be on patrol throughout the night and into Thursday morning -- looking for drunk drivers.

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