Firework or gunshot? How to tell them apart this Fourth of July, from KC police
Go on any Kansas City social media during the week of the Fourth of July, and you’ll see this question over and over again.
“Was that loud pop a firework or a gunshot?”
The ubiquitous query has become a meme online, as residents joke about the possible danger of omnipresent booms.
Kansas and Missouri residents love to celebrate Independence Day with joyful noise. But shooting a firearm could endanger neighbors and bring issues with the law.
Getting caught unlawfully shooting a gun in Missouri is considered a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to one year in jail and/or a fine up to $2,000, under Blair’s Law. The second offense is considered a class E felony, bringing up to four years of incarceration.
Alayna Gonzalez, spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department, wrote in an email, “We want everyone to enjoy celebrating Independence Day with their loved ones, so if there is any indicator loud noises are not fireworks … it is best to go indoors and notify the police.”
Gonzalez shared tips for figuring out the source of a loud explosion sound.
What is the difference between the sound of a firework and gunfire?
Fireworks sounds tend to overlap, while gunfire has clean noises in close succession, Gonzalez described. She recommended finding YouTube videos to hear the difference.
Loud booms caused by fireworks tend to have cracking, hissing or whistling noises, along with sporadic overlapping sounds.
Gunshots are more “rhythmic and tend to have only one clean sharp pop with each pull of a trigger,” Gonzalez wrote.
What other factors can help you distinguish the two?
Gonzalez pointed out that loud gunshot sounds are often accompanied by people shouting and cars speeding away. In this situation, bystanders should move away from windows to an interior room to protect themselves from stray bullets.
If you see heavy smoke or colorful sparks, the sound was likely a firework.
How can I find information about a shooting?
In the hours after an event, you can look for information online. You can check local news outlets, go on the social media of your local law enforcement department or look at a crime map.
The Kansas City Police Department shares information about 911 calls and police responses on the City Protect website. Go to the incidents tab to filter by time frame and include police calls.
The LexisNexis Community Crime Map includes crime data from these local law enforcement agencies:
Blue Springs Police Department
Independence Police Department
Johnson County Sheriff
Kansas City, Kansas Police Department
Leawood Police Department
Lenexa Police Department
North Kansas City Missouri Police Department
Overland Park Police Department
Prairie Village Police Department
Shawnee Police Department
What are the fireworks laws in the Kansas City area?
It depends on the city or town where you live.
Kansas City prohibits the launching of fireworks without a permit all year round, as do other area cities like Overland Park, Olathe, Gladstone, Grandview and North Kansas City.
In addition, some municipalities only allow residents to launch fireworks on the days before the holiday and the Fourth of July itself. These include Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, Liberty and Kansas City, Kansas.
Check the laws in your city to avoid an unwanted visit from the police.
Have more questions about safety in the Kansas City area? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
