My comment wasn't really one of correct or incorrect.
It was meant to highlight russellbeattie's propositional logic ("if it kills someone" then "it's still your fault"). I agree with you that it's "not terribly dangerous"[1]. Your comment seemed to have omitted the premise, so I wanted highlight how it was a non-empty set. [2]
[1] It's also not terribly dangerous to drive without a seat belt on either. I don't advise people do so.
[2] "Firing a bullet into the air" does not mean it must have time to slow to terminal velocity, nor is a bullet hitting a body the only way to kill. (See "Twenty-three people were electrocuted after celebratory gunfire brought down a power cable".)
Look, I agree with you - celebratory gunfire is pretty safe, and if you want to be safer, shoot straight up. Not only will it slow to zero, but you will be the one most likely to be hurt by it.
That said, just because you shoot straight up doesn't mean it will slow to zero.
russellbeattie is still right - the person who shot that plane is partially at blame for the damage to the plane and the injuries of the two people onboard.
(I say partially because from what I gather, neither person was a trained pilot and were joyriding.)
Comments
My comment wasn't really one of correct or incorrect.
It was meant to highlight russellbeattie's propositional logic ("if it kills someone" then "it's still your fault"). I agree with you that it's "not terribly dangerous"[1]. Your comment seemed to have omitted the premise, so I wanted highlight how it was a non-empty set. [2]
[1] It's also not terribly dangerous to drive without a seat belt on either. I don't advise people do so.
[2] "Firing a bullet into the air" does not mean it must have time to slow to terminal velocity, nor is a bullet hitting a body the only way to kill. (See "Twenty-three people were electrocuted after celebratory gunfire brought down a power cable".)
If you shoot straight up, it will slow to zero, then fall to terminal velocity.
Look, I agree with you - celebratory gunfire is pretty safe, and if you want to be safer, shoot straight up. Not only will it slow to zero, but you will be the one most likely to be hurt by it.
That said, just because you shoot straight up doesn't mean it will slow to zero.
The Wikipedia entry lists "October 12, 2003: Wedding guests in Belgrade, Serbia mistakenly shot down a small aircraft", pointing to http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3185884.stm .
russellbeattie is still right - the person who shot that plane is partially at blame for the damage to the plane and the injuries of the two people onboard.
(I say partially because from what I gather, neither person was a trained pilot and were joyriding.)