SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. - The Shelby County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) and the Memphis Police Department (MPD) both urged citizens to set the guns aside while celebrating the Fourth of July.

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Jr. posted a video to the SCSO Facebook page depicting an instance of "celebratory gunfire" injuring someone who was also trying to celebrate our nation's birthday.

"As the Sheriff of Shelby County, I would like to strongly remind you of the importance of not engaging in celebratory gunfire," Bonner said in the video.

Bonner offered other options for celebration, including fireworks shows or parades.

"Remember, guns are not toys," Sheriff Bonner said.

MPD took it a step further, warning citizens about the dangers of both fireworks and firearms. "Each year, we receive hundreds of 911 calls about gunshots and fireworks during this holiday," an MPD Facebook post read. 

MPD reminded citizens that setting off fireworks is illegal in Memphis. Police said that calls about celebratory gunfire and fireworks takes officers away from patrolling the city and keeping citizens safe from crimes. But, even if fired in good spirits, guns and fireworks can be dangerous in their own right. 

"Additionally, the careless use of guns and fireworks often leads to property damage and tragic incidents of personal injury and fatalities," MPD said.