Dear Idiots, Don't Shoot Your Gun Into the Air This New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is a time of traditions. There are firework shows and champagne toasts and ball drops. There are noisemakers, resolutions, and midnight kisses. And, if you happen to live in Miami, there are press conferences begging you to please not celebrate by firing your gun into the air. Because Miami.

For the 21st year in a row, local leaders lined up — and this year they were backed by a poster of Pitbull to remind Miamians of basic science.

"We do not need to celebrate by shooting guns in the air, because when a bullet goes up, it must come down," said Miami-Dade Commissioner Audrey Edmonson.

#ICYMI: A recap of today's 'One Bullet Kills the Party' press conference. The safety of our residents is a top priority, especially during New Year's Eve celebrations. #SafeCity pic.twitter.com/1i30YEleFf

— City of Miami (@CityofMiami) December 27, 2018

This tradition is sadly necessary in the Magic City. Just this month, a 40-year-old man was killed by a stray bullet as he sat in a loved one's Kendall backyard during a Christmas party. People noticed he was in distress, but initially couldn't figure out what had happened to him. Yemil Arguelles left behind a wife and young children, police said.

New Year's Eve gunfire killed a father of five in West Little River in 2007 and an 11-year-old boy in Opa-locka in 2008. Others have been injured, like the 6-year-old Italian boy hit by a bullet while out to eat with his family in the Design District in 2010.

So officials are forced each year to try to convince people that shooting the sky is a really bad idea. They started the "One Bullet Kills the Party" campaign in 1997, holding press conferences not just for New Year's Eve, but also for the Fourth of July.

For the last few years, the twice-annual reminder has been sponsored by Mr. 305 himself, which means they get to use a poster with his picture on it. This year, the Miami Police Department also posted a video reminder on social media.

“One Bullet Kills the Party.” We are partnering with @MiamiDadePD, and community leaders to urge the public to refrain from engaging in celebratory gunfire. Let’s make this #NewYearsEve a safe and happy one! ????????#onebulletkillstheparty #staysafe pic.twitter.com/Q2xPY5WPWW

— Miami PD (@MiamiPD) December 28, 2018

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez warned that even if you manage to shoot your gun off without killing someone, police will still show up at your front door.

"If you do do it, we will catch you," we said. "We're going to hold you accountable."

So please, Miami. Don't fire your guns at the clouds this New Year's Eve. Just pop some champagne like normal people.