Bill aimed at celebratory gunshots heads to governor

A Virginia boy lost his life last summer as a result of celebratory gunfire and now Governor Terry McAuliffe will be viewing a bill inspired by the boy’s tragic death. Celebratory gunfire involves firing a weapon into the sky, most commonly on New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July. Legislation providing harder penalties for those who maim or injure others with stray bullets was unanimously approved Thursday by the Virginia Senate. The bill is called “Brendon’s Law,” named after 7-year-old Brendon Mackey, who died last summer after being struck by a bullet at a fireworks show in central Virginia. The bill supposedly raises the penalty to a Class 6 felony, eligible to receive up to five years in prison. The current law provides a penalty of up to one year and a $2,500 fine.