What action do you take when hearing gunfire in the distance?

[urbanlibertarian]

I always stand and applaud.

[brainstormer]

The whole celebratory gunfire was very new and shocking for me when I moved here.  It is quite unnerving, and I don't understand the reasoning for it.  How come people up North don't perform this ridiculous activity?  Is it a Jacksonville thing or a Southern thing?  An inquiring mind would like some background information. 

[Sportmotor]

Southern thing...actually its more of a

if you live out in BFE there isnt much to hurt letting off some rounds for no other reason then just cause

[A-Finnius]

I called about gun shots in front of my house during the time of the rap shows at the 5 points theater on Sunday nights.

When did they have rap shows at 5 points theater on sunday nights? 

[urbanlibertarian]

From Wikipedia:

Celebratory gunfire is the shooting of a firearm into the air in celebration. It is culturally accepted in the Balkans, the Middle East, the South Asian regions of Northern India as well as Pakistan and Afghanistan and Latin American regions such as Puerto Rico as well as some areas of the United States. Common occasions for celebratory gunfire include New Year's Day as well as the religious holidays Christmas and Eid.[1] The practice may result in random death and injury from stray bullets. Property damage is sometimes another result of celebratory gunfire; shattered windows and damaged roofs are often found after such celebrations.[2] Describing the practice, an American sheriff from Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, David A. Clarke Jr., said, "Even though some consider this a tradition, it is extremely dangerous and a violation of the law. In densely populated urban areas, this behavior is not only illegal, but it's reckless. There is no way of predicting where the bullet will land."[3] However, it is generally not as dangerous if one uses blank rounds.[4]

[floridaforester]

The whole celebratory gunfire was very new and shocking for me when I moved here.  It is quite unnerving, and I don't understand the reasoning for it.  How come people up North don't perform this ridiculous activity?  Is it a Jacksonville thing or a Southern thing?  An inquiring mind would like some background information. 

Actually many cities in the north do have an issue with this.  It is not just "a southern thing".  I remember watching a documentary about a northern city that has had a tradition of celebratory gunfire so bad that they had a name for the evening that all their thugs shot in the air just for giggles.  Yes, I know its hard to believe that there are cities up north that have thugs.  I can't remember if it was Detroit or Philly or something of that ilk.  In fact, I was at a new year's eve party off of Hodges this year and a guy from Staten Island pulled out a 380 auto and shot it for no particular reason except to get attention.  At least he had the decency to shoot into the ground.

[Johnny]

Yes, there are reckless people up north as well. Shocking!

[David]

When did they have rap shows at 5 points theater on sunday nights?  

Back when it was Club 5 and the cool runnings gang had a night going on there.

[Ernest Street]

Ah..the Cool Runnings Scumbags that left us with blown speakers,blunt wrappers and Jerk chicken bones in our RENTAL amp racks. They are probably sitting in jail now if they were lucky. New Years Eve 2008 I witnessed actual tracer rounds being fired over I-10 from the Stockton St/ Beaver St area. the station attendant and a Vet that was filling up agreed with me that they weren't fireworks.
The worst case I ever heard was July 4th 2008. I know 223 and 308 semi auto bursts when I hear them...That was the day the DJ from Starlight got his eyes gouged out.(and the now famous riot took place complete with JSO copters hovering with spotlights for several hours)
The next day I got "Pulled over" on my bicycle by JSO...when I asked the Cop, He swore he wasn't working the night of the "Alleged" riot at 5-Points. (I didn't hear anything about it he said!?!)
Matter of fact the whole thing was swept under the rug and we still don't know anything past the denied gunfire and pissed off concert goers that were refused admittance to a purposely overbooked RAP show.
 

[reednavy]

I say "ah shit" and I'm over it. Out here in Mandarin, it is usually rifle shots going off, not so much handguns.

[UpOn2Wheels]

Depends where I am, and how far out.

If it is close(block or so), I will click my safety off the firearm I have on me 80% of the time. As I have been shot at on more then one occasion its not something that scares me to much.
Most people don't haven't paid or gone through any gun training courses or can much less fire one properly.


If it was close and I saw someone attacking someone or attempting to with a firearm I will engage them after one warning to disarm

That's a very dangerous assumption to make.  The last FBI study showed that criminals went to gun ranges for practice more often than police.  They may not receive the same level of training, but the bad guys are putting plenty of rounds down range.  Accurately.

Also, it's your life but I'd think twice before intervening in an armed encouter, unless you have ALL the facts.  How do you know the guy with the gun isn't an undercover cop?  If your gun clears leather, you're looking at potential charges ranging from brandishing (a misdemeanor, IIRC) to aggravated assault even if no shots are fired.  Ag assault is a felony charge that carries a mandatory three year sentence. 

Your best bet is to call 911 and leave it for the police.  Get as many details as possible, and be the best witness you can.  Of course every situation is different, but ask yourself this - are you willing to potentially do 3 years in Raiford for a total stranger?

As far as gunfire, it's not uncommon in Mandarin since we have swamps behind us.  Gunfire in the distance is not big deal; gunfire in my neighborhood would be something else entirely.

[A-Finnius]

When did they have rap shows at 5 points theater on sunday nights?  

Back when it was Club 5 and the cool runnings gang had a night going on there.

So no more "Hip Hop" shows at the 5 points theatre?  I remember seeing Goldfinger there when I was like 22 but I thought it quit hosting concerts soon after that.  How long has it been an actual theatre?

[Dog Walker]

It's been open as a theater for over a year.

www.5pointstheatre.com

They have regular movies and off beat ones too.  They also frequently have a midnight movie and showed some of the bowl games.

They have Bold City brews on tap.

If they would just fix the noisy air-conditioner it would be perfect!

[A-Finnius]

It's been open as a theater for over a year.

www.5pointstheatre.com

They have regular movies and off beat ones too.  They also frequently have a midnight movie and showed some of the bowl games.

They have Bold City brews on tap.

If they would just fix the noisy air-conditioner it would be perfect!

Mmmmm... Bold City.... I'll have to check out a flick there soon.

[heights unknown]

Run for the hills and run for cover!

Then give praise and thanks that I'm still in one piece!

All jokes and kidding aside, if I know for sure where it's coming from, definite that I know where it's coming from, I will call 911.  But if it sounds distant, and I don't know where it's at or where it's coming from, then I let nature take its course and hope that no one got hurt or killed; that's all you can do. You got to be sure you know where it's coming from before calling 911.

"HU"