DENVER POLICE DEPARTMENT

Gerald R. Whitman, Chief of Police

The mission of the Denver Police Department is to deliver high quality public
safety services so all people may share a safe and healthy environment.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Date: December 31, 2009

To: All Denver Police Officers, Media, Denver City Council, and
Denver Community Associations.
Contact: Sonny Jackson
Address: Office of the Chief of Police
1331 Cherokee St., Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 720-913-6534
Fax: 720-913-7021

DPD Warns Against Celebratory Gunfire

Denver Police are warning against celebratory gunfire on New Years Eve. This is an extremely
dangerous and careless act. Every New Years Eve all over the country we hear about people being
injured and even killed by careless gun fire. Firing a gun in the City and County of Denver is against
the law and charges can and will be brought against you. The charges can range from a city charge to a
felony depending on the situation. If a stray bullet hits someone, the charges can range from assault, to
attempted murder, to murder if the person dies.

City Ordnance

Sec. 38-121. Firing or discharging dangerous or deadly weapons.

It shall be unlawful for any person, except a law enforcement officer in the performance of duty, to fire
or discharge a revolver or pistol of any description, machine gun, shotgun or rifle which may be used
for the explosion of cartridges, or any air gun, gas operated gun, spring gun, or any instrument, toy or
weapon commonly known as a "peashooter," "slingshot" or "beany," or any bow made for the purpose
of throwing or projecting missiles of any kind by any means whatsoever, whether such instrument is
called by name set forth herein or by any other name; provided that nothing in this section contained
shall prevent the use of any such instruments in shooting galleries or in any private grounds or
residence under circumstances when such instrument can be fired, discharged or operated in such a
manner as not to endanger persons or property, and also in such a manner as to prevent the projectile
from traversing any grounds or space outside the limits of such gallery, grounds or residence.
(Code 1950, § 845.5; Ord. No. 621-86, § 1, 9-22-86)
The penalty on the city charge can range up to a $999.00 fine and up to one year in jail.

State Law

18-12-107.5. Illegal discharge of a firearm

1) Any person who knowingly or recklessly discharges a firearm into any dwelling or any other
building or occupied structure, or into any motor vehicle occupied by any person, commits the offense
of illegal discharge of a firearm.

Illegal discharge of a firearm is a class 5 felony.

Police also want to remind the community the setting off fireworks is also against the law in the
City and County of Denver.

Celebrate, but celebrate responsibly.

Sonny Jackson