Are bullets shot in the air dangerous? Here's what you should know

• Firing bullets into the air during protests can be hazardous and potentially deadly
• Bullets fired straight up can reach a maximum altitude of 9,000 feet and descend at a speed of 91 meters per second
• Bullets fired at an angle follow a ballistic trajectory and can maintain high velocities upon return to the ground

When bullets are fired in the air, they don't crossover into space, they reach a maximum of about 3 kilometers depending on the round.

A bullet shot upwards encounters air resistance and gravity which slows it down but after reaching maximum height it begins the decent.

Understanding the trajectory and impact of these bullets is crucial for recognising the dangers involved.

Trajectory and impact of bullets fired vertically

Bullets fired straight up into the sky follow a vertical trajectory, reaching a maximum altitude before descending.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Julian Hatcher's experiments in the 1940s revealed that a standard .30 caliber bullet fired vertically can reach an altitude of 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) and descend at a speed of 91 meters per second.

At this terminal velocity, the bullet is capable of penetrating human skin and causing serious injury or death.

Even at a speed of 61 meters per second, a bullet can penetrate the skin. If it hits a critical part of your body, it could mean death.

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Bullets fired upwards at an angle

When bullets are fired upwards an angle, they follow a ballistic trajectory and maintain higher velocities upon their return to Earth.

These bullets can travel much farther horizontally, sometimes landing very far away from the shooter.

This makes it challenging to identify the source of the gunfire and increases the risk of injury or death over a wide area.

Bullets fired at an angle do not tumble through the air, allowing them to maintain speeds that can exceed hundreds of miles per hour.

The danger posed by falling bullets extends beyond the immediate protest area.

The seemingly harmless act of firing a gun into the air creates a hazard for anyone within a two-mile radius, and the risk persists for up to two minutes after the final gunshot.

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