City officials say the “Call the Shots” campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of celebratory gunfire and empowering residents to speak up.
SAN ANTONIO — With Fourth of July celebrations kicking off this week, the City of San Antonio has launched a public awareness campaign to crack down on dangerous and illegal celebratory gunfire.
City officials say the “Call the Shots” campaign will remind residents that celebratory gunfire is illegal in Texas and poses a serious threat to public safety, often resulting in property damage and putting lives at risk.
The campaign comes as a joint initiative by District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo and District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito, in response to an increase in resident calls and incidents involving stray bullets.
“Celebratory gunfire isn’t just illegal—it’s incredibly dangerous,” Castillo said. “Celebratory gunfire puts lives at risk and has no place in our neighborhoods.”
“The ‘Call the Shots’ campaign is about public safety—empowering our residents to speak up, protect their neighborhoods, and prevent tragedy,” said Alderete Gavito. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home—especially during times of celebration.”
The city says the Call the Shots campaign aims to inform residents how to report gunfire to law enforcement and will utilize social media, neighborhood outreach and partnerships with local organizations and community leaders to spread awareness.
Additionally, city officials say law enforcement will be heightened during peak celebration periods to ensure the safety of all residents.
City leaders say celebratory gunfire in San Antonio especially during the New Year’s Eve and Fourth of July celebrations results in hundreds of calls to law enforcement each year, with 102 average daily calls in 2023 and 79 average daily calls in 2024.
“Celebratory gunfire can have deadly consequences,” said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus. “These bullets don’t disappear. They can land blocks away, causing harm to innocent people and damaging homes, vehicles, and property. This kind of reckless behavior has no place in our neighborhoods.”
In the past two years alone, Texas has witnessed the tragic consequences of celebratory gunfire.
In July of 2023, a 7-year-old boy in Dallas was fatally struck while in bed after celebratory gunfire outside sent a bullet through the walls of his family’s apartment. On New Year’s Eve in 2023, an 11-year-old girl in Corpus Christi died after she was struck by a stray bullet while celebrating with family outside their apartment.
In San Antonio, a family said their south-side home was left with bullet holes in 2023 just days apart on Christmas Day and again on New Year’s Eve. And just last year, a woman was injured after being hit by a stray bullet on Christmas Day while outside of her northeast-side apartment.
Officials remind residents that under Texas law, the reckless discharge of a firearm within city limits is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by significant fines and even jail time.
“This is not just a safety issue—it’s a legal one,” said Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Joe Gonzales. “Those who engage in celebratory gunfire will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Residents are urged to report any celebratory gunfire immediately to the San Antonio Police Department’s non-emergency hotline at 210-207-SAPD (7273).
For more information, visit the website here.