Georgia House Underscores Danger of Festive Gunfire

The Georgia House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation on Monday aimed at increasing awareness about the danger of firing bullets into the air during celebrations. The resolution honored Marquel Peters, the 4-year-old boy who was killed by a stray bullet New Year's Day last year.

The resolution, sponsored by Michele Henson of Stone Mountain, urges government officials and others to promote awareness of the dangers of celebratory gunfire, and states that the House is "committed to studying and adopting tougher criminal sanctions" for people firing guns in the air to celebrate.

"The loss of an innocent human life is always tragic, but it seems even more so when it is caused by a thoughtless random act," Henson said in a House press release. 

The resolution passed with 139 votes,  with 23 votes against it.

Marquel Peters was sitting in a church sanctuary with his mother when a bullet pierced the roof and hit him through the top of his head. His death led to a community and county effort to called Marquel's Pledge, which asks people to pledge not to do it and to discourage others from doing it.