Firing Shots Into The Air

[silverhawk_usa]

Reading all the debates around who did what, regarding shots fired into the air, I have to ask the question; Why do they do it?

Firing shots into the air, or "warning shots", are absolutely forbidden where I come from. The potential for deadly results, intended or not, has been seen here and was also a factor for violence, and death, recently in Kyrgyzstan.

What do they accomplish? As a former law enforcement officer, I was trained to only fire a weapon if you INTEND to kill someone. If you need to deter someone, verbal warnings from loudspeakers, or as a last resort, tear gas or other non-lethal mechanism makes sense. But, why fire live bullets at all if you do not intend to shoot someone? Is this tactic used in any other western country? If so, how is it justified?

[Slip]

But it's JUST SO MUCH FUN!

[britmaveric]

Bullet has to go somewhere, so it is indeed a dumb/dangerous practice.

Edited April 14, 2010 by britmaveric

[Slaps]

I don't think these soldiers wanted to kill anyone

Would you rather all shots found a target?

[surangw]

firing in the air in a city with tall buildings had more potential to find a mark then in the countryside

[tw25rw]

Maybe it's so you can't see they are blanks?

[MiG16]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Temporary-Po...al-t355369.html