Firing shots into the air a felony offense

Every New Year’s Eve the Yuma Police Department responds to numerous reports of “shots fired” within the city limits. Some people discharge a firearm into the air to bring in the New Year. The Yuma Police Department would like to remind the community this is a felony offense and encourage anyone that witnesses this type of criminal activity to call the police department immediately.

Shannon’s law is named after Shannon Smith, a fourteen-year-old Phoenix girl killed by a stray bullet in June 1999 . Shannon’s law refers to specific changes in Arizona statutes, enacted in 2000, making it a felony offense to discharge firearms randomly into the air.

Per Arizona Revised Statute 13-2904.6 Disorderly conduct: A person commits disorderly conduct if, with intent to disturb the peace or quiet of a neighborhood, family or person, or with knowledge of doing so, such person: Recklessly handles displays or discharges a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. This violation is a class 6 felony.

This is an illegal and unsafe practice that could lead to tragic consequences. Officers will respond, investigate and arrest anyone that is involved in this type of activity.