I’ve often asked myself if firing one’s weapon in the air was not dangerous. And today I came across the first discussion of it I’ve ever seen and that proved to be a shocker.
The Libyan tradition of firing weapons into the air in celebration leaves many swept up in revolutionary fever
The Australian, May 9, 2011, https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/the-libyan-tradition-of-firing-weapons-into-the-air-in-celebration-leaves-many-swept-up-in-revolutionary-fever/story-e6frg6so-1226052471961
(snip)
Most locals AFP questioned said they regarded the celebratory fire as entirely normal, a jubilant expresssion of revolutionary zeal.
“There is no fear because if someone fires they are firing out of joy. Sure, the bullets come down again from the sky. But if they land on someone’s head then that is God’s will,” said Aziza Ahmed Mohamed, a mother of five.
There are some dissenting voices, however.
Critics point out that apart from the risk of someone getting hurt, the ammunition would be better used on the battleground in places like the besieged port of Misrata or the western mountains where pockets of rebels are holding out against Kadhafi’s forces.
Samia Ayissa, a 32-year-old out strolling with her two toddlers, said she was furious that young men with little or no military experience were allowed to behave as they do in Benghazi.
“Of course I’m afraid because there are lots of young men playing with weapons in the street. I’m afraid for my babies,” she said.