Or any other day for that matter, but let's start with one day.

What’s Up Sheepdogs? Ryan here with Tampa Carry.

July 4th is awesome, and we all know it. Whether it's due to the significance of Independence Day, the gathering of families, the excitement and tumultuous anxiety of waiting for the fireworks show to start, or the actual BOOMs, POWs, and CRACKLE of the pyrotechnics, July 4th is a day and night of joy, relaxation, and some good old grilling.

I'm fairly certain that some of us will be indulging in alcoholic beverages while celebrating the anniversary of our country gaining its independence from Great Britain. I’m also not a gambling man, but I'd be willing to bet all my stockpiled fireworks that a few of us will probably drink far too much, and then act according to our nature, coupled with a blood alcohol content far exceeding the legal limit. Even if that isn't the case, I'd like everyone to stay safe while celebrating, and I of all the dangers happening on July 4th, there is one danger, in particular, that causes me to worry.

While fireworks lighting up the night sky and their thunderous explosion interrupting the quiet vigil of the night should be enough for anyone celebrating, there will be those who find that fireworks simply aren't enough to fully celebrate the U.S.A.'s independence. They will take matters into their own hands, or, well, hand, while clutching a beer in the other. Flocking together in a massive tribe of substantial stupidity, these birds of a feather will strut their ignorance and utter disregard for others like a peacock trying to attract a mate. You will know who they are by their egregious behavior and awe-inspiring audacity. I'll be blunt, people that partake in this type of behavior are morons, plain and simple.

The individuals that I am talking about are none other than the same imbeciles that think it is a brilliant idea to shoot their guns into the night sky to celebrate Independence Day. If I seem to be coming across as a rude and bitter person then I hit the nail on the head. This is, by far, one of the most profoundly stupid acts of idiocy I've ever had the displeasure of experiencing. Shooting your firearm into the air, or celebratory shooting, is not only illegal in some states and punishable by a felony of up to 3 years, it is a blatant disregard for every human being's safety in your area.

This irresponsible use of a firearm should be viewed as attempted murder due to the fact that, if you've ever heard of gravity, then you know that what goes up must come down. If you're unfamiliar with the phrase, then you should empower yourselves. (Let's face it, if you're shooting up into the air, then you probably need to work on your intelligence level anyways.) Newton's Third Law of Motion is, in a nutshell, the fact that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. One could not exist without the other, hence it is not necessary to decipher which force is the action, and which is the reactionary force.

You fire your weapon into the air. The reaction between the primer and firing pin ignites the gunpower, causing the lead to be accelerated, separated from the casing, and propelled down the barrel of your gun. The bullet then accelerates rapidly upwards and in whichever direction your muzzle was canted. Eventually, due to the forces of gravity pressing towards the Earth, the bullet will cease its ascending and start to decline, still traveling in the same direction it left the barrel of your weapon.

As the bullet is forced downwards due to gravitational pull it starts to accelerate, eventually reaching a terminal velocity. This bullet (Studies found that with a .30 caliber, terminal velocity is 300 fps) is now rapidly traveling back towards the surface of the Earth at a speed fast enough to allow it to penetrate flesh, and possibly bone. Where it lands is proportionate to what angle and in which direction it was initially fired. If someone is standing where the bullet's trajectory is ultimately leading it, then guess what... that person is about to have a really bad time. For the person that discharged said bullet, you just caught manslaughter charges, congratulations.

The probability, given the population density of Earth, that your discharged round will find a home in an unfortunate bystander is far too likely. What started as drunken celebration has led to another family grieving the loss of a loved one, the ruining of a monumental day, and you learning what the inside of a cold, lonely jail cell looks like. Never fear, though, you'll soon learn the differences between a jail cell and a prison cell before it's all said and done.

DO NOT SHOOT YOUR GUN INTO THE AIR FOR ANY REASON! Plain and simple. If you own a gun, don't give the other gun-owners a bad name simply because you're too childish to:

1. Handle your alcohol

2. Handle weapons responsibly

3. Make intelligent decisions that will not only affect you, but strangers, and possibly their families, for the rest of their lives.

The actions you take on July 4th can echo profoundly, affecting you until the day you die. Please, be careful and make smart choices. I beg of you. Do not be the reason someone loses a loved one on a very special day.

Remember:

Pay attention!

Stay safe!

Don't shoot your guns into the air!

Have a happy 4th of July!

That's all I have for today. So until next time keep training and stay safe...Talk to you soon,

Ryan G. Thomas

P.S. You’re one step away from getting your Florida concealed carry permit….FAST & EASY…

And for a limited time you can watch the concealed carry course online for free... Click here to get started...