Firework or gunshot? How to tell them apart this Fourth of July in NC
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Not everyone loves fireworks, but even if you do, you may wonder as you hear the first one pop: Was that a gun?
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The pyrotechnics often make a loud sound many confuse with gunfire.
In 2024, a person was shot and killed and another wounded during a firework show in High Point, North Carolina. In 2025, three people were arrested and three guns were seized during a massive fireworks display in uptown Charlotte, but there were no major incidents, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
The Kansas City Star previously covered the difference between gunfire and fireworks. Important takeaways:
Alayna Gonzalez, spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department, told The Star she recommended listening to YouTube clips comparing the two sounds for further context.
Gunshot sounds are sharper, according to a video by Pyrotechnician Mike Tockstein.
As a rule of thumb, if you shoot it into the air, it’s illegal for a civilian to use it in North Carolina.
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The Observer previously covered the legality of various fireworks. You can legally enjoy:
“The display of indoor or outdoor pyrotechnics is strictly prohibited unless a Pyrotechnic Permit has been obtained from the Charlotte Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau,” according to the City of Charlotte website.
This year, experts are recommending additional caution with fireworks in North Carolina, as the heat wave could exacerbate dangerous conditions, The News & Observer reported.
Questions about life in North Carolina? Or have a tip or story idea you’d like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.
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