Why do people shoot guns into the air?

Question

the bullets just come back down, don't they?!

Answer 1

yes and they hurt too.  some countries do that in celebration.  also for the 21 gun salute they are fired.

Answer 2

this is simply to warn them that they will really fire without injuring the other party.... most pple will stop running unless the crime they committed is also equivalent to the death penalty....

Answer 3

I don't know. It's a waste of bullets and they could kill someone if the bullet falls back to earth and hits some innocent person.