Please Remove Gunfire from Your New Year's Checklist

Monday, Jan 26, 2009 | Updated 1:18 PM PDT

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LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles' top cop had a word Monday for those who like to ring in the New Year with gunfire: Don't.

"What goes up inevitably is going to come down, and it comes down at a velocity that can quite easily penetrate buildings, car roofs and human beings," said Los Angeles police Chief William Bratton.

Firing a gun into the air is a felony and violators could serve one year in state prison if convicted. If someone is hurt, the punishment likely would be more severe.

Bratton and Los Angeles County Lee Baca announced that authorities will use detection systems that allow police officers and sheriff's deputies to pinpoint the location of gunfire.

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