can a bullet shoot up in the air kill someone when it comes back down?

Answer 1

From Mythbusters Episode 50: "Bullets Fired Up"

Bullets fired into the air maintain their lethal capability when they eventually fall back down.

busted / plausible / confirmed

In the case of a bullet fired at a precisely vertical angle (something extremely difficult for a human being to duplicate), the bullet would tumble, lose its spin, and fall at a much slower speed due to terminal velocity and is therefore rendered less than lethal on impact. However, if a bullet is fired upward at a non-vertical angle (a far more probable possibility), it will maintain its spin and will reach a high enough speed to be lethal on impact. Because of this potentiality, firing a gun into the air is illegal in most states, and even in the states that it is legal, it is not recommended by the police. Also the MythBusters were able to identify two people who had been injured by falling bullets, one of them fatally injured. To date, this is the only myth to receive all three ratings at the same time.

Answer 2

This was tested on a previous Mythbusters show and the answer is "No". A small arms bullet will reach its maximum height and then just fall back to earth at a speed determined by gravity and air density. It would be the same as dropping the bullet from a tall building. At its maximum speed, it may generate enough kinetic energy to injure a person but is extremely unlikely to kill them. Of course, I am speaking of the average rifle or handgun bullet. A large bullet such as a 20 mm or larger will have enough mass that at its maximum velocity it will have achieved enough kinetic energy to do serious damage when it reaches ground level.

If you would like to calculate the kinetic energy of a bullet, use the formula: W V squared/450,400 Where W is the weight in grains of the bullet, V is the velocity of the bullet in ft. per sec. and 450,400 is a constant. The calculations are very simple. What is going to be difficult is determining the terminal velocity of the bullet in freefall.

Answer 3

Mythbusters Falling Bullet

Answer 4

Mythbusters Bullet Drop

Answer 5

Jan 2, 2010. Falling Bullet Kills 4-Year-Old Boy In DeKalb. DECATUR, Ga. — A 4-year-old boy was killed by a falling bullet from celebratory gunfire while attending a New Year’s Eve church service in Decatur.It happened at the Church of God of Prophecy in the 3300 block of Covington Drive in Decatur. July 7, 2012. Police officer's vest deflects falling bullet BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) — Southeast Texas police say a protective vest probably saved the life of one of their officers when he was hit by a falling bullet fired into the air by a Fourth of July reveler. Check out Wikipedia topic "Celebratory gunfire" \ There are a bunch of incidents. Bottom line is: What goes on must come down.

Answer 6

During the mid 1990's here in New Orleans, a couple of perople got injured by falling bullets, and one woman got killed.

Answer 7

Yes. Once the bullet reaches the apex, it loses all its initial velocity, and gravity takes over. The bullet is now basically a piece of lead falling at its terminal velocity. Given its weight, speed and aerodynamic properties, it can and will cause serious injuries, even death!

The shooter CAN and WILL be charged with attempted murder even if it only results in minor injuries! This has happened already!

Answer 8

Yes. Many people are actually killed by this, especially in countries where people celebrate by firing guns into the air.

Answer 9

They debunked this on Mythbusters a couple of seasons ago. It's "no".

Answer 10

OF course, law of gravity. what goes up must come down. If your going to do it for new years, buy a pack of blanks and shoot those.