Please do not shoot the hurricane. LAMO

Murphy

Executive Branch Member
Apr 12, 2013
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I am confused. If one shot a gun into the air, how far up could it go? Really? Unless Texans are using some kind of firearm slingshot to toss them up. I guess things must be bigger in Texas.

It would make more sense, and generate more noise, if they discharged bullets into the air. After all, that's what smokeless powder is for.
 

Tecumsehsbones

Hall of Fame Member
Mar 18, 2013
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I am confused. If one shot a gun into the air, how far up could it go? Really? Unless Texans are using some kind of firearm slingshot to toss them up. I guess things must be bigger in Texas.

It would make more sense, and generate more noise, if they discharged bullets into the air. After all, that's what smokeless powder is for.

Do the math. Average bullet does about 300 m/sec. so assuming it's shot straight up, it'll go for about 7 seconds, and achieve an altitude of a bit over 1000 m. Then it'll go roughly straight down for seven seconds or so, ending up with a velocity of about 300 m/sec.

Conservation of energy and all.
 

Murphy

Executive Branch Member
Apr 12, 2013
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That's fine for a bullet, but shooting guns at a hurricane seems wasteful - unless you want a new one. I don't believe you could even propel a handgun to an apex of 1000m. You can't even propel a cow to 1000m.

[youtube]V4a35U3VU1w[/youtube]
 

Bar Sinister

Executive Branch Member
Jan 17, 2010
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Urban myth. Texas has no higher rate of falling-bullet deaths and woundings than any other state, and I could find no incidence of the state government issuing such an appeal, though Houston did once.

Maybe.
How dangerous is celebratory gunfire? Legions of victims know but cannot tell


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/24/how-dangerous-is-celebratory-gunfire

Why You Should Celebrate July 4th With Fireworks, Not Gunfire


https://www.thetrace.org/2017/07/celebratory-gunfire-july-4-fireworks-2/

Bill penalizing celebratory gunfire up for debate in House panel


https://www.texastribune.org/2017/0...mony-bill-would-penalize-celebratory-gunfire/


I never lie.
 

Tecumsehsbones

Hall of Fame Member
Mar 18, 2013
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That's fine for a bullet, but shooting guns at a hurricane seems wasteful - unless you want a new one. I don't believe you could even propel a handgun to an apex of 1000m. You can't even propel a cow to 1000m.

[youtube]V4a35U3VU1w[/youtube]
Nonsense. We have it on good authority that cows can self-propel up to 400,000 km.

Hey diddle diddle.

So much for your foolish argument.

I never lie.
I concur. I saw all the same pieces you did, and I conclude that a conflation of these, plus a bit of erroneous focus, led to your "Texas" comment. Your main point was accurate. But details are important.
 

Bar Sinister

Executive Branch Member
Jan 17, 2010
8,252
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38
Edmonton
Nonsense. We have it on good authority that cows can self-propel up to 400,000 km.

Hey diddle diddle.

So much for your foolish argument.


I concur. I saw all the same pieces you did, and I conclude that a conflation of these, plus a bit of erroneous focus, led to your "Texas" comment. Your main point was accurate. But details are important.

I think there was more than enough evidence in my sources to confirm my original comment. Finding the actual quote might be a bit difficult as it was pre-internet.