Pakistanis marked their 77^th independence year on 14^th August, 2024, with the traditional celebration of Aerial Firing, which injured 95 people, and a child was killed in the largest city Karachi of Pakistan. Such incidents of aerial firing are common on special instances like Independence Day and New Year’s Eve, even after the ban imposed in the past, often leaving dozens injured. In this blog post, we will delve into the sensitivity of a topic titled, “Aerial Firing Illegality Worldwide in 2025,” especially in the US, UK, India and Pakistan.

What is Aerial Firing?

Aerial firing or celebratory firing is an act of shooting a firearm upwards into the sky. The term “aerial firing” underlines that the firearm is fired into the air rather than focused at a specific target on the ground. During festive occasions, like Independence Day or Weddings, it is a common practice and is exercised mostly in certain regions, such as the Middle East, parts of Latin America, and South Asia.

Aerial Firing Illegality Worldwide in 2025:

The aerial firing illegality in the US, UK, India, and Pakistan is discussed below;

1. The illegality of Aerial Firing in the US:

The laws regarding the prohibition of aerial firing vary from state to state in the United States, but generally, it is illegal. For instance, firing a firearm in public areas, including into the sky in Texas, is prohibited. There are significant fines and imprisonment imposed on the violators of such State laws. It reflects the gravity with which this issue is treated. In the US, the proactive approach is maintained to prevent the dangers interlinked with falling bullets and to encourage safe firearm use.

There is permission granted by the US government related to the right of carrying arms, and it is primarily governed by the US’s Second Constitutional Amendment, which states:

“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.”

In a remarkable judgement of the case “New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen 2022”, it is clarified by the U.S. Supreme Court that the individual right to carry firearms in public is mainly for self-defense.

2. The illegality of Aerial Firing in the UK:

In the United Kingdom, strict firearm regulations are enforced under the Firearms Act 1968. As per this Act, it is illegal to discharge a firearm in a manner that endangers others’ lives, including firing in the sky. The consequences to be faced by the offender include five years in prison and substantial fines. The UK’s strict legislations are enacted to prevent dangerous practices like aerial firing and ensure public safety. This manner show the importance of responsible firearm use and strict legal consequences for violations.

3. The illegality of Aerial Firing in the India:

The issue of aerial firing is addressed in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the State of India. Offences related to endangering life and causing grievous hurt is discussed in Sections 336, 337 and 338. The exact language of the Sections are given below;

Section 336:

Act endangering life or personal safety of others

Whoever does any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety others, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees, or with both.

Section 337:

Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others

Whoever causes hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or the personal safety of others, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.

Section 338:

Causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others

Whoever causes grievous hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or the personal safety of others, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Other Law:

The current position of the law is clear after the amendment of the Arms Act in 2019. In Section 25(9) of the Arms Act, 1959, the meaning and punishment of celebratory firing is mentioned. The essential conditions include:
1. Any individual
2. Uses a firearm rashly or recklessly, or discharges it during a celebration.
3. Which endangers human lives.
4. A person found guilty of this offence shall face imprisonment for a term of up to one lakh rupees, or both.
5. In addition, the license will be permanently cancelled or revoked and will never be reissued to an offender charged with an offence, even in self-defense.

4. The illegality of Aerial Firing in the Pakistan:

In Pakistan, the aerial firing is also illegal as like other countries. The provisions which deals with its illegality is Section 337H of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 which states:

Section 337H:

Punishment for hurt by rash or negligent act:

(1). Whoever causes hurt by rash or negligent act, other than rash or negligent driving, shall be liable to Arsh or Daman specified for the kind of hurt caused and may also be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years as Ta’zir.

(2). Whoever does any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of other, shall be punished with imprisonment of either-description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both.

The provision related to the prohibition of carrying arms is almost in India and Pakistan.

Other Laws:

On provincial and federal level, there is also specified laws that operate carrying of arms and their prohibition in Pakistan. The legislation of different provinces and federal is listed down;

1. Federal Level – Pakistan Arms Ordinance, 1965
2. Punjab – The Punjab Arms Rules, 2017 enacted under Punjab Arms Ordinance
3. Sindh – Sindh Arms Act, 2013
4. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – KP Arms Rules (Under KP Arms Act, 2013)
5. Balochistan – Arms Ordinance, 1965 (with Provincial Rules)

Conclusion:

Air gunfire is a dangerous practice with serious legal consequences in various countries. Despite strict laws, enforcement challenges remain, especially during festive occasions. Public awareness and adherence to firearms regulations are crucial to preventing injuries and deaths from celebratory gunfire.

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