Stray bullet that injured bystander could have traveled miles

[SecularMotion]

Ballistics experts said Monday that it may be difficult to determine who fired the errant shot that paralyzed a father of four on the Fourth of July in Charlotte because some bullets can travel up to several miles.

“I cannot imagine being able to solve that case,” said Gregory D. Lee, a criminal justice consultant and expert witness from California. “Who knows where that bullet came from?”

Brandon Yam, 47, was selling food and drinks with his wife and two of his children at a festival celebrating the opening of the Cambodian Buddhist Temple, at 219 Owen Blvd. in Charlotte.

About 9 p.m., as people at the temple started shooting off fireworks, Yam started to pack up his supplies to go home, his family said.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/07/07/5029597/experts-stray-bullet-that-injured.html

[tech3149]

1. If you want to fire celebratory rounds, buyy blanks

The stupid is strong in these lands.

[In_The_Wind]

2. That's good advice.

[FreakinDJ]

3. No expert would claim "Several Miles"

[blueridge3210]

5. magic bullet?

Most I've ever heard is 1 mile for a .22lr under extraordianry circumstances. If the shooter is located he should face all the penalty the law allows.

[djean111]

4. I guess it will be filed under "Shit Happens".

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

6. re: "...some bullets can travel up to several miles."

This is a terrible tragedy. Everyone needs to understand that bullets are dumb. Celebratory shots, warning shots and accidental shots can all be harmful and potentially deadly. The only thing preventing these outcomes is responsible safe handling.

I suppose a .50 cal could travel several miles, smaller ammo, not so far.

[Straw Man]

7. Cardinal rules.

• Know your target and what is beyond.

Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second.

-- http://training.nra.org/nra-gun-safety-rules.aspx

[IronGate]

8. LOL.

Several miles? What "expert" would ever claim that?
Maybe one of the VPC's "experts"?
Or was it one of M. Bloomberg's "experts"?

Bullets just don't travel for several miles.

[freebrew]

9. They can...

all depends upon trajectory.

Pistols, no. A .30-06 or like sized round can go several(more than 2) miles easily if pointed in the right direction.

Accurate shots have been recorded of a mile. So, if the trajectory were say, 45 degrees, quite a bit farther.

[IronGate]

10. No bullet will travel "several miles"

maybe a couple of miles if the trajectory is correct, but not several miles.
Several miles means more than 3 miles, maybe a .50 if angled right, but anything below that caliber won't.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

11. The direct quote

"Ballistics experts said Monday that it may be difficult to determine who fired the errant shot that paralyzed a father of four on the Fourth of July in Charlotte because some bullets can travel up to several miles."

Note that no specific "Ballistics expert" is pointed to for this bit of hyperbole. But I will say right here that bullets can travel several thousand miles but UPS will charge appropriately.

[IronGate]

12. LOL.

Point taken.

[Eleanors38]

13. If you are going to fire off a celebratory round,

Be outside city limits, and fire a shotgun with a field load, up into the air.

[Flyboy_451]

14. Or better yet...

Into an appropriate safe backstop.

[Eleanors38]

15. My bullets, even entire cartridges traveled many, many miles

from Lonoak, Arkansas. By truck.

[AtheistCrusader]

16. I have no idea why people fire 'celebratory shots' anyway.

Hell, fireworks are cheaper.