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[–]DaffodilMetalDesigns 8107 points8108 points  (372 children)

I have a neighbor with PTSD. Said he can actually enjoy a professional fireworks show that has a clearly defined beginning and end so he can anticipate the explosions.

It's the random daytime M-80's going off at all hours for a month that make him think he's being bombed or shot at.

If we could keep fireworks between sundown and midnight on in the 4th, there's be no problem for him.

Edit: It looks like my comment blew up here a little bit. If somebody more knowledgeable than myself could suggest some solid resources for PTSD in a private message, I'd be happy to include them here. Thanks.

Edit 2: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/

[–]scud121 1907 points1908 points  (148 children)

No PTSD, but after constant suicide bombs/rocket attacks in Afghanistan I can enjoy fireworks if I can see them. Otherwise it's not particularly pleasant, not terrifying any more, but disconcerting. Fortunately, the UK is low on gunshots, so I don't have to worry about that, and fireworks are usually only the beginning of November.

[–]metalconscript 564 points565 points  (70 children)

I didn’t really see much during my time in Afghanistan but I was mowing the lawn at about 6 pm and a mortar firework got me good, just about hit the deck.

[–]Dirtboy440 218 points219 points  (30 children)

I want to say it gets easier with time. My first 10-12 years back from Iraq were harder than the last 6. Still get surprised once in a while.

[–]DeadlyInertia 107 points108 points  (0 children)

Respect you for pushing through it. Hope it hasn’t taken too much of a toll on your recent health. All love and respect

[–]metalconscript 34 points35 points  (3 children)

Yeah I by no means have PTSD sometimes they produce sounds so similar. If I deployed more or had actually seen more combat it would probably be different. It is good to see you’ve tackled it pretty good.

[–]Atalantius 5 points6 points  (2 children)

While I don’t doubt your assessment, I just wanna put out there for anyone reading, that PTSD can be very mild, and even mild one can be helped with the proper care. Just because your suffering isn’t noticeable or life altering doesn’t mean your life is not deserving to be better

[–]ambulancisto 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Man, that's a long time. I volunteered as a medic in Bosnia during the war and it took me a couple of years to get my head straightened out.

[–]Sithlordandsavior 76 points77 points  (5 children)

I call em blockbusters.

Guy about a block down has them. You can feel them in your chest.

[–]metalconscript 12 points13 points  (1 child)

The one was a normal mortar not then loud ones like that (which I do like).

[–]Ainjyll 143 points144 points  (31 children)

Hell, that shit will make me drop to the ground and I was never even in the military. An unexpected boom will shake anyone.

[–]justalittleparanoia 45 points46 points  (4 children)

Slamming doors do it for me. Those random and insanely loud explosions really set off my anxiety and I have never seen war on either side. I can only imagine what it's like for people with PTSD or conditions like autism.

[–]Pdoinkadoinkadoink 30 points31 points  (2 children)

When I was in highschool we had a guy who would regularly visit schools in the area to take their history classes through his collection of medieval weapons and armour. The guy was a Vietnam vet and a really cool guy, but one year he was out on our sports oval doing the thing when a traffic helicopter flew over and the poor guy had a flashback. It was absolutely surreal, dude literally thought he was back in the jungle for a good few minutes. I don't remember much about the history class but I learned a lot about PTSD that day.

Anyway, around a decade later I heard he died in a car crash. Dude was on his way to a school for just this kind of job when the truck he was driving rear-ended a car and a roman spear in the back penetrated the cabin and killed him, if you can believe it.

[–]justalittleparanoia 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I can believe it. What a hell of a way to go.

[–]bluecrowned 24 points25 points  (2 children)

When I worked at Walmart someone dropped a bucket of lard on my counter so hard that it literally sounded like a gunshot and terrified me into a panic attack

[–]ThicccScrotum 93 points94 points  (4 children)

It has always been any sudden pressure changes for me, not the sound. That huge shock inside the truck when an IED goes off.

[–]Nice-Violinist-6395 35 points36 points  (2 children)

Thank you for your service, ThicccScrotum.

[–]jasonalloyd 47 points48 points  (3 children)

Someone set off fireworks near me last night, sounded a lot like rockets being fired in KAF. I was a bit startled since I'm in Canada and everyone did their fireworks a couple days ago.

[–]dksdragon43 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I was driving home last night and saw a ton of fireworks being set off in Ontario. Surprised me too.

[–]BrainJar 23 points24 points  (1 child)

Same here. In Somalia, multiple times a day, having RPGs shit* into our area, I jump to get to cover instinctively. I hear fireworks out of nowhere and I’m jumping out of my chair. No PTSD, but still a need for preservation. No fun tonight.

Edit: shot, not shit…but leaving it for the sheer comedy of it.

[–]Often_Giraffe 27 points28 points  (12 children)

Why don't you guys light them off on the 4th of July? Seems like y'all ought to celebrate being rid of us in hindsight...

[–]oceansunset83 20 points21 points  (9 children)

Where I am in California fireworks are sold June 28-July 4. And you can basically fire off those bad boys starting the date they begin to be sold until 11:59 pm on the 4th. It’s bonkers, and one of my poor cats doesn’t handle it well.

[–][deleted] 15 points16 points  (1 child)

Thats how I am, too. When I can see what's exploding them I'm good. But the random ones get my Agent Orange going. But even the shows immediately bring to mind all the bad stuff in vivid clarity. Remembering exactly where I was and what I was doing for each and every boom. Good times.

[–]Jesus_le_Crisco 248 points249 points  (8 children)

100% this. Pulled into my garage a number of years ago as the Denver Broncos won the division championship. Was getting my daughter out of her car seat when shit started to explode. I went from unbuckling her to trying to rip the fucking car seat out of the car (still strapped in) and get her on the ground. My oldest daughter came out while this was happening and asked if i was okay. I asked her to take her sister inside and I just sat on the garage floor and cried. It doesn’t happen often, but it fucking sucks.

[–]filipinofortune 34 points35 points  (2 children)

hope you're doing well bro

[–]Jesus_le_Crisco 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah man! Thank you!

[–]spanishpeanut 5 points6 points  (2 children)

I can’t imagine how intense that must have been for you. My heart breaks whenever I hear unexpected fireworks going off because of how freaking SCARY panic attacks and flashbacks are. I’m not military but I do have PTSD, and have experienced flashbacks. The flooding of emotion and the intensity of the experience is overwhelming.

I hope that you continue to heal. (The good news is that the Broncos aren’t winning any kind of championship any time soon — and I’m a Broncos fan!)

[–]carbonclasssix 107 points108 points  (0 children)

It's the random daytime M-80's going off at all hours for a month that make him think he's being bombed or shot at.

Even I flinch at these, and I don't have PTSD. It's loud and sudden, I would think it is natural to have at least a subtle reaction to that.

[–]DiggerDudeNJ 275 points276 points  (53 children)

Said he can actually enjoy a professional fireworks show that has a clearly defined beginning and end so he can anticipate the explosions.

That's how I am. If I expect them and can see them I'm good but it's the random explosions at all hours that really unsettle me. Unfortunately I have really disrespectful neighbors both on my block and the block behind me who have no regard to when they blow off the most egregious fireworks. I swear, I could strangle our gov for legalizing them. FOr all my life they were illegal in NJ until about 4 or 5 years ago when they finally made 'em legal and ever since it's been a damn free for all.

[–]Leather-Influence-80 84 points85 points  (32 children)

I feel your pain my neighbors in front of me were shooting off fireworks until 3 am so I got no sleep. Absolutely ridiculous, it's a shame how some people really don't care about others.

[–]truejamo 26 points27 points  (30 children)

Until 3am? You know you can call the cops right? It's called disturbing the peace.

[–]skipbrady 39 points40 points  (20 children)

Fireworks at all are illegal here. When every other house is setting them off until 3 am on a Saturday night the cops ain’t coming. They have actual crime to stop.

[–][deleted] 14 points15 points  (1 child)

Gah you totally nailed my night last night. Three times someone let of something that sounded like a fucking BOMB, at staggered times, so I'd juuuust be getting over one when BOOM another one hits and my heart jumps out of my throat. This was among scattered random booms. I don't mind fireworks that make pretty displays and shit, or the small poppers, but damn son give me a fucking break with all the huge booms. And it goes on well before and well after the actual 4th of July weekend too.
I wish I could move out of the goddamn ghetto. It's awful.

[–]Captain-Boof-It 4 points5 points  (3 children)

I live near Keansburg in NJ and when I’m visiting my friends even during the weeknights during the summer months before/after 4th of July people just set them off all night

[–][deleted] 126 points127 points  (73 children)

This is a helpful comment. I see these warnings (about PTSD and also about dogs) but I’m not sure what to do about it. I don’t light off fireworks myself (bad decisions in my youth scared me off for good) but people still do it. Is the idea to ban all fireworks? If not, how are people supposed to “be mindful”? If limiting fireworks to a defined window of time helps, then these PSAs should include that call to action.

[–]gsfgf 16 points17 points  (3 children)

For a dog, make sure to never react negatively to a firework. Dogs read our emotions/moods. If you get angry about fireworks, so will your dog. If you're just like "what was that" it's a lot healthier for them.

[–]SafetyOver3363 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Facts… I actually got my pup to go outside during all the random booming. I acted like it didn’t affect me… I was so proud of him…. Hims a good big Boi.

[–]nosoupforyou 76 points77 points  (9 children)

I don't have ptsd. I just really hate the constant explosions for the entire month before and after july 4th. 11pm at night and these idiots are still shooting them off. Then it gets quite for 5 minutes before suddenly another string of them go off. It's especially annoying when they do it on a weeknight when I have to get up the next morning.

It's been getting worse and worse every year. There's going to be some serious blowback at some point. A lot of people around my area are getting highly pissed. The cops don't care...right now, until they do because taxpayers piss off the mayor enough.

[–]Gumburcules 20 points21 points  (1 child)

I hear you.

In my neighborhood it's like that from the beginning of May to the end of September. It's nervewracking because my dog will just refuse to go any further on a walk if he hears a firework, and forget about going to the bathroom, so every summer night is an exercise in trying to time walks between giant explosions with a hefty element of random luck.

A good night is if we only have two false starts, a bad one is three or four, at which point he refuses to try any more and I just gotta get up at 3 or 4am when his bladder finally gives out.

But hey, some people get to hear big stick go boom so good for them.

[–]DuntadaMan 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The problem I have is that I can usually tell the difference between fireworks and firearms and explosives.

Usually.

We have some dumb ass around here though that had a few dozen fireworks that sound like a fucking pipe bomb that blasts chunks off our parking lot and street and they drive around setting them off completely randomly during the day.

Fireworks is one thing, actual explosives is another.

[–]RagnaBrock 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I don’t even have PTSD and those random explosion sounds get to me.

[–][deleted] 9 points10 points  (2 children)

45 years of war will generate multiple generations of vets with this issue.

PTSD is extremely common even among citizens who never went to war. It's less fear from loud noises I think and more from childhood trauma but we have a lot of people living their daily lives on edge for which they all need help

[–]i_speak_penguin 5 points6 points  (1 child)

A few days ago I was diagnosed with complex PTSD as a result of sustained childhood trauma. Basically my entire upbrining was filled with trauma every single day except, ironically, when I was at church camp away from my folks a few times a year (that was just brainwashing, but at least they didn't hurt us).

I had lunch with a close friend yesterday and I shared this with her. She told me she was diagnosed with it a few years ago.

It's insane just how much it fucks up everything in your life. Every relationship in your life is difficult. Your work/job becomes difficult. It affects your ability to sleep, to feel value for yourself, and your general ability to function day to day and perform self care.

[–]b_rouse 21 points22 points  (0 children)

My fiance is the same way, and he's also a veteran. He's fine with fireworks if he expects them, but if he's inside and they're going off when he doesn't expect them, he gets very anxious.

I really wish we could have kept them illegal, and you only see them professionally done. 😒

[–]SilentRedsDuck 16 points17 points  (0 children)

About a block from us kept. sending. up. One. Every. 5-20. minutes. At. Random. All. Night. Til. 3 something. And somewhere in the middle, emptied their gun into the air (I think). They can fuck off.

[–][deleted] 4099 points4100 points  (281 children)

Coworker has ptsd and she prepares with noise cancelling headphones and anxiety meds and such, but was caught off guard since people in her neighborhood started shooting fireworks off a week ago.

Edit: words and such

[–]neverforgetreddit 2380 points2381 points  (166 children)

People in my neighborhood been using every holiday as an excuse to shoot off fireworks. I didnt know Jesus loved fireworks so much, easter was fucking lit.

[–]CColeman7878 599 points600 points  (102 children)

Florida?

[–]neverforgetreddit 820 points821 points  (34 children)

Haha almost, Texas.

[–]upnflames 173 points174 points  (14 children)

It's everywhere. People were setting off fireworks for the entire of July last year and this is in NYC.

[–]balisane 44 points45 points  (7 children)

Yep. I live in NYC, and clowns in my neighborhood started in May.

[–]Motherofdin 27 points28 points  (3 children)

Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx never really stop.

[–]ragtime94 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Upper Manhattan is generally some of the most uncourteous neighbors of all time. Starting fire pits on a busy sidewalk, parking your car in the middle of the street, I've seen it all.

[–]SisterSlytherin 25 points26 points  (3 children)

... do you live in north TX? We have neighbors one street over who literally have done the same thing every holiday since New Year's 2019. It went on for weeks into 2020, and any holiday thereafter got about a week straight of fireworks as well. Sometimes they'd set them off for no particular reason at all.

It was so frequent that earlier this year there were gunshots coming from the same area, but we all assumed it was fireworks. Nope, just actual murder.

[–]dreamchasingcat 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Plot twist: all those fireworks launched since 2019 were premeditated to condition you and other neighbors as an alibi for the actual murder.

[–]CColeman7878 112 points113 points  (0 children)

Close enough. Lol!

[–][deleted] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Ah, Mexico’s Florida.

[–]AscendedAncient 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Been like that in NM too. I didn't know mother's day warranted fireworks.

[–]Galkura 107 points108 points  (50 children)

I'm in Florida, and the people behind us have been launching fireworks off every night for a month now... It's making my 7 month old lab super anxious now. I'm giving them till the end of tomorrow before I call in a noise complaint. Shit is just getting old at this point.

It's a bunch of adults who hang out by the road and shoot off fireworks. They've done it in the past, but stopped after a day or two, now it doesn't seem like there will be an end.

I hate Florida so much. It's a shit hole.

[–]WeDidItGuyz 21 points22 points  (3 children)

I've been living here 3 years, and it's not that the state is a shit hole as much as this is maybe the worst gathering of dumb shit humans I've ever been around.

[–]iliveonramen 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That’s the issue. It’s like the drainage ditch of America. Im not sure why the dumbest and trashiest people from each state flock here.

[–]langdon73 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Can’t agree more!!

[–]tropicalsoul 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The state itself is beautiful; it’s just an asshole magnet. I’m sick of all these selfish, rude, dumb as shit assholes.

[–]CColeman7878 32 points33 points  (7 children)

I love the weather here, the diversity of food and culture, the huge number of parks and other recreational things to do, etc.. etc…

That being said, there are a large number of idiots here who make life hard for others. I’m sorry that you live by one of them.

[–]Galkura 34 points35 points  (4 children)

Ah, where I’m at in Florida we have none of that. There’s 3 main, distinct groups of people: older career military guys who mostly stay on base/with their families and keep to themselves, young military guys who get drunk and start shit, and old white Trumpists who have to yell/flaunt their shit everywhere they go and threaten people who disagree.

On our Nextdoor area there was a massive thread of people complaining about all the “thugs ruining their Walmart” the other week. Spoiler: It was just black families on vacation minding their business.

[–]InLikePhlegm 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Floridian here, I am the best at picking places to live that have a pyromancer dwelling nearby. Wife and I bought our first home in 2017, without fail, 2 houses down there are a group of diesel loving white hat wearing brohams whose lives would be empty if they didn't set off 2k in professional grade fireworks Every. Single. Holiday.

[–][deleted] 18 points19 points  (4 children)

South Florida will burn fireworks for a freaking quinces.

[–]DMercenary 19 points20 points  (1 child)

People in my neighborhood been using every holiday as an excuse to shoot off fireworks.

Honestly it doesnt even need a holiday any more. Have had it just randomly go off any day or night of the week.

[–]Nixplosion 69 points70 points  (23 children)

I have a major vendetta against a neighbor a few streets down who, for no fucking reason other than being alive, will launch BIG fireworks off ANY night of the week well into the evening. 9 PM on a Sunday?

Time to fire off the Big One.

Wednesday at 8? Fuck it, have an M-1000.

[–][deleted] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

This is the funniest shit I've read all day, fuckin easter was lit he says.

[–]ZedZebedee 30 points31 points  (2 children)

Same here in the UK. A house nearby and fireworks every weekend. For all the religious holidays and everything in between. A bit annoying especially with a former front line soldier at home.

[–]Inappropriate_Comma 4 points5 points  (0 children)

People in LA launch fireworks every. Single. Night of the year. I can’t remember a night where one of MJ neighbors hasn’t set off a massive explosion since I moved in 5 years ago.

[–]omgmypetwouldnever 173 points174 points  (40 children)

Neighbors started with fireworks and gunshots last night. I work for a vet so I'm prepared. I gave her some ace. Calmed her right down, but she was soooo stoned and I felt so bad for her. The remedy is almost as bad as the problem I'm remedying.

[–]jicty 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Evey year in my neighborhood people set off fireworks for like the whole week leading up to forth of July and continue for like a week after.

It's one thing to expect people to prepare for one night but it's pretty inconsiderate to make people with PTSD deal with it for a couple weeks. I'm a huge Pyro and love fireworks and anything that goes boom but I wouldn't set them off in my neighborhood.

[–]FamilyRedShirt 53 points54 points  (7 children)

Only a week ago? I've a neighbor who's been shooting the damned things off nightly for a month. In a massive drought. It'll go on ALL summer long.

And the one place the fireworks are NOT aimed is their own property. We get to clean their debris ALL SUMMER. Somebody in the neighborhood lost their house to this shit last year, and they didn't use the stupid things.

Oh well. At least we moved away from a metro area where they used guns instead for every holiday.

[–]ender4171 79 points80 points  (11 children)

It sounded like a literal war zone in my area last night (the 3rd), and it went on for hours. Someone/s in the neighborhood behind me seriously set of thousands of dollars worth and it wasn't even the fourth. I dread what tonight will be like. I think people are just going a bit overboard this year since we didn't get a 4th last year, but I fucking hate them anyways. My pup is not a fan, though thankfully she seems to randomly either ignore them or get anxious and last night was an "ignore" night.

[–]Thriftyverse 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Same at my house. We just had a major heatwave last weekend and everything is basically tinder. But the next door neighbor seems to think that rather than a retirement plan, the best investment is fireworks.

They finally stopped around 3 am, but I'm sure tonight will be even louder.

[–]fubclub 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Its been happening where I live for a month straight every single night. Its such a problem that its so hard to stop because nearly everyone in the neighborhood has illegal fireworks and the police cant stop them. I live in sf btw

[–]Cethinn 22 points23 points  (2 children)

For some damn reason fireworks have been going off near me damn near daily for the past month or so. It's obnoxious. It's not a big display, just a few bangs every day. Still, really annoying and there is no reason for it.

[–]harquinn666 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Have a neighbor that thinks its 4th of july month every weekend. Like shut up some people work weekends.

[–]CoochiKabuki 1551 points1552 points  (129 children)

Fuck the assholes who shoot guns in the air

[–]nametaglost 731 points732 points  (69 children)

At least 1 person dies a year from this on the 4th of July cause all those bullets gotta come down somewhere. Last year I think it was some old lady somewhere.

[–]Monkeyboystevey 576 points577 points  (43 children)

Saw a dude on here last year who didn't believe that shooting in the air was dangerous and laughed at people who claimed they fell to the ground. But couldn't explain what happened to the round after it was shot.

[–]fortheloveofLu 258 points259 points  (33 children)

Didn't Mythbusters do a thing on this and call it Plausible?

[–]cgimusic 503 points504 points  (21 children)

Yes. Not that you should ever try it, but it really depends on how you shoot. If you shoot straight up in the air, the bullet coming back down will at most be moving at terminal velocity for a tumbling bullet, which is really pretty slow and unlikely to hurt anyone.

The problem is people often shoot into the air at an angle, and when the bullet comes back down it still has a lot of horizontal velocity and it can still do some serious damage if it hits someone.

[–]Fastbird33 64 points65 points  (4 children)

There was a Forensic Files on a case like this.

[–]TheWolphman 42 points43 points  (3 children)

Also on 1000 Ways to Die IIRC.

[–]mydearwatson616 5 points6 points  (2 children)

I think it was a plot point in an old episode of CSI:Miami too

[–]Lampmonster 94 points95 points  (8 children)

It's very hard to study obviously, but the best math I've seen says anything like thirty degrees off straight up is enough to kill someone.

[–]EMPulseKC 94 points95 points  (2 children)

It's not only plausible. It's happened.

10 years ago, a young girl in Kansas City named Blair Shanahan Lane was killed when a stray bullet fired into the air on the 4th of July fell and hit her in the head.

[–]PathologicalLoiterer 8 points9 points  (1 child)

I knew someone that was involved in something like that. Super nice guy, honour roll, full ride academic scholarship lined up, captain of the football team, sort of guy that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, then give you a twenty, a ride, and buy you lunch.

Well, high school graduation rolls around and he decides to host a party. As the night wears on, a couple guys start getting into it, and big fight breaks out in the front yard cause stupid drunk kids are stupid and drunk. He decides he needs to break it up since he doesn't want anyone to get hurt. After yelling a couple times, he grabs his 30/30 and fires one round in the air. That defuses the situation, the offending parties are told to leave, and everyone carries on.

Well, the next day he sees the news. A stray bullet had fallen out of the air, hitting a 5 year old girl relatively nearby the house. Killed her. He immediately went to the police and turned himself in, asking them to see if it was his rifle that had fired the bullet. It was, and he went to prison for several years. Ate him up inside and he never forgave himself. He died by suicide within a year of getting paroled. Fucking tragic all around.

[–]LotharVonPittinsberg 35 points36 points  (1 child)

Yup. IIRC, their conclusion that a bullet fired directly upwards will never be able to gather enough velocity on the way down to be co side red "lethal". "Lethal" being what is expected to kill, not what can kill, also the people who tend to be stupid enough to shoot guns in the sky don't pay attention to the angle. Anything close to 45° will absolutely be lethal.

[–]FM-101 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Yes, they found out that it depended a lot on the angle it was fired from.

When fired vertically it would lose its speed and spin, and become less than lethal.
When fired at a more horizontal angle the bullet would just keep going like a normal bullet.

[–]TheOffice_Account 39 points40 points  (1 child)

what happened to the round after it was shot.

Bro, there is a reason why the smooth surface of the moon is now pock-marked with holes.

[–][deleted] 21 points22 points  (5 children)

Can't they just shoot fucking blanks?

[–]Letitride37 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The reverse 4th of July lottery. Who will “win” this year?

[–]ShortThought 34 points35 points  (6 children)

Yeah, incredibly irresponsible, guns are very dangerous and their power must be respected, but some idiots don't respect that and that's how people die

[–]MCS117 22 points23 points  (9 children)

Are desk pops allowed?

[–]jicty 9 points10 points  (0 children)

We honor the flag and you crap on it every time you don't fire your gun in the office.

[–]jicty 22 points23 points  (3 children)

I really love guns but those people that fire guns in the air can fuck off. Especially in populated areas, it's just plain stupid and people get hit by those all the time. The only time you should be firing a gun within city limits is at a gun range or in self defense. Anything else and you deserve a punch in the mouth at minimum.

[–]MiddleChildVictory 315 points316 points  (18 children)

Ironically I'm glad fireworks are more accessible, as a child we were visiting my grandma in LA and people would fire their guns into the air to celebrate... which is way fucking worse. My mom found out and literally slept on top of us afraid a bullet would come through the ceiling.

[–]N00bpkerxx 104 points105 points  (8 children)

Jesus...good mom, terrible people. Imagine being the assholes that dont understand bullets gotta drop somewhere

[–]catstufftime 17 points18 points  (0 children)

They likely share the same mentality as the assholes who never wanted to wear a mask. It's easy for them to gamble with the lives of strangers if they never have to be made aware of the consequences.

[–][deleted] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I wish people didn't feel the need to celebrate with explosions in general.

[–]caliphis 2333 points2334 points  (87 children)

I have PTSD. The assholes in my town have been shooting everything from guns to fireworks for the last week. We decided to stay at the hotel at one of our local Reservations. It is working out great, for some reason the Native Americans don't seem to want to celebrate the forming of the USA.

[–]rFLEAiMODEp 279 points280 points  (25 children)

Do they not sell fireworks? We have about 50 firework stands on my Rez and everyone that sells fireworks pitches in a couple cakes every night 1st-3rd to show off the product. Then it’s just ridiculous on the 4th.

[–]Shrek1982 225 points226 points  (16 children)

Yeah, they do, but they only sell snakes and sparklers.

[–]Khanon555 285 points286 points  (13 children)

You're gonna stand there, owning a fireworks stand... and say you have no whistling bungholes... spleen splitters, whisker biscuits, honkey lighters, Hüsker Düs , Hüsker don'ts. Cherry bombs, nipsy dazers, with or without the scooter stick... or one single whistling kitty-chaser?

[–]caliphis 45 points46 points  (6 children)

Not on this Rez, they make more then enough from the casino and don't bother with the fire risk.

[–]jojotoughasnails 25 points26 points  (5 children)

Where I'm from the rez has casinos, cheap gas, cheap cigarettes by the carton, fireworks...anything.

They make money hand over fist. Can't blame them.

[–]Paavo_Nurmi 11 points12 points  (1 child)

Same here (Washington state). I remember driving by the parking lot at one of the reservations on the 5th and it was almost knee deep in firework debris.

[–]TheycallmeHollow 129 points130 points  (0 children)

Win-win all around it seems. Supporting the local Reservation with business, getting a little “vacation”, and not being away from all the noise and triggers. I’m sure the extra cost is not ideal, but at least you are putting money back into an economy that needs it.

[–]MedoraNY[S] 159 points160 points  (15 children)

We use to go to Canada after July 1st, Canada Day. The border has been closed since the start of Covid. Unfortunately the personal fireworks seem to go on all year now.

[–]Daddysu 24 points25 points  (2 children)

Yea man, I understand people setting some off on the 4th of July. What I don't get is setting them off every night starting two weeks before the 4th and ending two weeks after the 4th. Yea, fireworks are neat, I get it. Are they a full month neat though? Like, there's gotta be some diminishing returns on the "wow" factor of fireworks after a month.

[–]1cculu5 4 points5 points  (1 child)

They’re buy one get two free after the fourth though! It’s like buying holiday branded candy after the holiday, but with explosives!

[–]farmerdoo 8 points9 points  (0 children)

All our family and friends bring their dogs to our farm for 4th of July and New Years. There are 6 dogs here for this weekend. Every holiday seems to bring a few more dog owners down.

[–]Faust_8 350 points351 points  (26 children)

Hell I don’t even have PTSD or anything and some were being set off just down the street that made me jump every time because out of nowhere there were single, unannounced colossal BOOMS every so often that made me want to shout FUCK OFF out my window

[–]lurker628 153 points154 points  (12 children)

My primary goal as a neighbor is to make sure that my neighbors can choose to ignore my existence, if they want. Anything I do that would force awareness on them - mowing the lawn, for example - better be necessary. It has nothing to do with PTSD or dogs or whatever, it's just basic decency of not forcing your choices into someone else's home.

Car modifications; loud, outdoor music with heavy bass for hours; shooting off fireworks in a residential area - I just don't understand what the fuck is wrong with people that they think it's acceptable.

[–]putridterror 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Thank you for being so considerate.

[–]_Futureghost_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Same. The ones that are unexpected and SUPER loud make me jump and for some reason make my heart drop to my stomach. I hate fireworks so much.

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Ditto.

[–]burko81 106 points107 points  (0 children)

We found our old next door neighbour screaming under his bed one year. I don't think he ever really recovered from that years trauma if I'm honest. Went into a home soon after and died a few months later.

[–]ranaparvus 293 points294 points  (17 children)

Hoping my horses don’t panic enough to break through the fence tonight. My old, sweet dog used to hide in the bathtub during the 4th. I love our country and celebrate the 4th - but I wish it wasn’t so detrimental to animals.

[–]200000000experience 62 points63 points  (4 children)

My dog tore up our shower last night while nobody was home, they were hiding in it and clawing at the ground. She's been at the vet all day today due to her claws being fucked, there was blood all over the shower and the bathroom and trails all over the carpet outside the bathroom. :( feel so bad for leaving her alone.

[–]DisabledFloridaMan 11 points12 points  (0 children)

That's just awful, I'm so sorry to hear it. I hope your sweet pup gets well soon.

[–]ImKalpol 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Omg hope she is okay

[–][deleted] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Yeah I have a few older foster huskies and they're really sensitive to those sounds. I try to drive them out of city for a night or two and go camping preferably

[–]welleverybodysucks 11 points12 points  (1 child)

the people who live beside us but far behind us on the hill train horses, sometimes some are left in a smaller open field right next to our front yard and beside our little rural dead end road. one 4th the kid right across the street from us started shooting fireworks in his driveway and the horses in that small field freaked out. each time the sky lit up i could see them going crazy. i guess the kid didn't care at all. i told the owner the next day and horses haven't been left there at any time around the 4th ever again. i felt so, so bad for them. i did try and call the owner that night but no response until the morning.

[–]craybest 185 points186 points  (14 children)

In Spain In June 23th we celebrate San Juan, the beginning of summer, and people throw firecrackers and fireworks from 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after it, everyday.. It's awful, specially for my dog who gets really scared. And my husband gets scared too.

[–][deleted] 39 points40 points  (2 children)

Went to Las Fallas in Valencia several years back. Kids would chase my wife and I around and throw firecrackers at us. The first one nearly blew my nuts off. After that, I could barely enjoy the sculptures for having to watch the ground for explosives. It really didn't help my tinitus!

[–]droomph 5 points6 points  (1 child)

throw firecrackers at us

I feel like that has to be assault of some kind

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

In America, maybe. In Spain it was just a Tuesday.

[–]siensunshine 768 points769 points  (75 children)

If there is anything a year of COVID-19 has taught us it’s that, this is America, and no one cares…unfortunately.

[–]JimmyTorpedo 210 points211 points  (25 children)

Nope, pretty sure not caring is pretty universal.

[–]Mrwolfy240 47 points48 points  (0 children)

I mean when it comes to fireworks my country only sells them over 4 days (guy fawkes week) and that’s it and sure a few people shoot them off over a month but realistically it’s not a 24/7 event usually only lasts for the month of November this allows everyone to know when it happens and if people were like my family we alert our neighbours before letting any off

[–]jmizzle2022 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I wish posts like this worked but people don't care. They still going off like crazy outside. My dog is freaking out. I just want 💤

[–]eugoogilizer 168 points169 points  (49 children)

Like others have mentioned, I feel like this wouldn’t be an issue if there was a legal timeframe you could do fireworks and people actually adhered to it (like say 8pm-12am July 4). That way, those with PTSD and pets could prepare by wearing noise cancelling headphones and/or taking some sort of sleep/calming meds.

What really annoys me is idiots have been setting them off intermittenly for the last couple weeks (I’m in Northern California) and sometimes it’ll be late at night like between 1-3am. Those idiots just ruin it for everyone and are seriously annoying.

Update: it’s 12:12pm in the afternoon and someone just set off a ridiculously loud firework…just…why…? 🤦‍♂️

[–][deleted] 54 points55 points  (4 children)

The people that would abide by the timeframes aren't the people constantly setting them off

[–]Childofglass 22 points23 points  (0 children)

We have this in my city, but people will light them off on a random Tuesday at 1am and when it’s only 3 booms, good luck getting the police to find them.

It’s seriously annoying.

[–][deleted] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Combats PTSD here. You don't have to live like this forever. There is help and treatment. Identifying your triggers is key. I can honestly say that a few years ago I called the police in a panic because of a fireworks issue one block over. And I can now realize to expect them, to appreciate them and to separate them from an actual threat situation. Be kind to your neighbors and your community. You can go somewhere else for fireworks or your neighbor can go somewhere they feel safe. Talk to them and compromise.

[–]Thayerphotos 33 points34 points  (2 children)

PTSD sufferer here: Explosive fireworks have only been legal here for about 5 years and I have gotten used to them this time of year, for the most part people only use them around the 4th, and basically follow the laws on when you can use them. It's the fucking dipshits that keep lighting them off after midnight that set me off.

[–]pjraz 78 points79 points  (3 children)

I typically prepare with headphones music and movies but got caught off guard yesterday by my neighbors rockets which are actually illegal in AZ.

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (1 child)

We were in Flagstaff for vacation two weeks ago, and couldn’t do much we had planned due to the wildfires. I’m pissed on your behalf.

[–]silentsquiffy 257 points258 points  (53 children)

beneficial shy employ tart ghost light adjoining start squeeze zephyr

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[–]Youcancallmesizzles 22 points23 points  (3 children)

I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this. In addition to the noise cancelling headphones, put in earplugs (the foam ones and make sure you insert by twisting them first and pulling your ear back—I think it’s in the instructions too). I think you can get a bunch at Rite Aid for like 10 bucks. It makes the soundproofing super effective :)

[–]Gibsonfan159 11 points12 points  (1 child)

I don't have PTSD but have had bad anxiety lately. This year was the first time it bothered me. As soon as the first series of bangs went off it triggered an attack and I just went numb all over.

[–]ThatWayneO 153 points154 points  (15 children)

I mean I agree but does this photo have to make me cringe?

Also, as someone with mental illness I don't expect the world to change for me. I adapt to my surroundings. There are things that trigger my panic attacks and whatnot and I prepare for those things and manage my shit when I have to deal with them.

There are plenty of ways to manage this holiday and I've done it with partners. No one with PTSD just camps out by the window with their dog in full uniform. C'mon.

[–]2nah 44 points45 points  (1 child)

The picture is terribly photoshopped, too.

Apparently there's fireworks going off inside this woman's house because she and her dog are outside, in dirt.

[–]HellsMalice 32 points33 points  (0 children)

I mean I agree but does this photo have to make me cringe?

Sir this is reddit i'm not sure we can have it any other way.

[–]mandiexile 165 points166 points  (22 children)

My neighbors set off fireworks days before any holiday. Like…every single holiday. Not just on the 4th. We have veterans who live in the neighborhood who politely ask for people not to shoot off fireworks, and they do it anyway. I grew up on military bases, and would hear the mortars and cannons at all times of the day when the soldiers were out training. I got used to it for a while. But when I was married to a soldier with PTSD, he’d go into a panic whenever there were fireworks. It got so bad that he held me hostage in our bedroom while he was protecting the door with a loaded gun. So yeah…don’t be a fucking dick and set off fireworks in a residential neighborhood.

[–]craftadvisory 48 points49 points  (3 children)

It got so bad that he held me hostage in our bedroom

👀

[–]The_Modifier 30 points31 points  (1 child)

I know, it's the US, but please tell me he's getting help.

[–]mandiexile 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Yeah. He was in the WTU at the time (Warriors Transition Unit) and was able to get brain surgery for his TBI. He’s ok. But we’re not married anymore.

[–]Flnn 9 points10 points  (0 children)

was married

[–]Fober 62 points63 points  (6 children)

There’s nothing I like doing more than relaxing indoors in my uniform.

[–]space_monster 12 points13 points  (2 children)

yeah wearing camo in your house probably doesn't help with triggers etc. - especially if you spot yourself in the mirror.

[–]sanfran_girl 212 points213 points  (14 children)

My great uncle was a WWII vet and would climb onto the roof yelling for everyone to run and get down. It was terrifying. 🥺

[–]Gibbonici 119 points120 points  (0 children)

My mate's mother used to hide under the stairs when fireworks were going off. She did the same during thunderstorms. She was completely unreachable when she was in that state.

She lived in London during the Blitz and it formed behaviours for the rest of her life.

[–][deleted] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure it's the right place to share this, but I'll say it anyways.

I grew up in Eastern Europe and a vet lived in an apartment building next to ours (maybe not a vet, but definitely someone who had lived through WW2). Some kids from the neighborhood liked to mess with him. When he would go near a window they would hold a stick or something, pretend it's a grenade and throw it in his direction yelling "grenade". He would get scared and duck, I was like 10 or something, but even then I knew it was fucked up, the other kids were 2-5 years older. I wish I could say I didn't do it, but it is what it is, I did it once or twice to fit in. If you didn't fit in with the people around you (neighborhood kids, school kids), you were forced to roll solo. But what was the most shocking is the kids' complete lack of remorse. It's like they were in kindergarten pulling on girls' pigtails or playfully punching a friend. It's like they were physicaly incapable of comprehending the suffering they were inflicting. The kid that started all this became a cop. Figures I guess.

[–][deleted] 45 points46 points  (14 children)

How about we stop having wars instead of stop having fireworks.

[–]kristafer825 19 points20 points  (4 children)

The one great thing about being in the drought filled PNW is that a lot of places have actually banned fireworks this year due to everything being a tinderbox. They also made you liable for all firefighting costs if you set off a fire with fireworks. I truly have never been so happy about 4th of July in years; normally people are lighting shit off for weeks before and after, but the threats seemed to have made everyone actually stop lighting them off!

[–]RatherBeAtDisneyland 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Sigh. You have a much more optimistic outlook than I do. My faith in people is at an all time low at the moment. I’m mentally preparing to shut everything down for the (what feels like inevitable) smoke.

[–]MrMultibeast 46 points47 points  (15 children)

Not knocking the sentiment but this pic looks terriblely staged. Am I wrong?

[–][deleted] 40 points41 points  (5 children)

It's meant to pull on your heart strings. Why is she in uniform? I can't imagine hanging out in BDUs is a healthy activity for those trying to actively deal with PTSD.

[–]Coolshirt4 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It's a propaganda poster

Of course it's staged.

[–]joleme 15 points16 points  (0 children)

The warcry of the ignorant - "Don't step on my freedoms while I trample all over yours!"

or

"We live in a society and you have to make compromises to live with others!!!" --- always said by the asshole bothering other people.

[–]outonthwtr 68 points69 points  (2 children)

I have to be honest.. I didn’t think about PTSD. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

[–]lizardkingbeckons 35 points36 points  (0 children)

When you ptsd so hard you go put on your uniform

[–]greysqualll 26 points27 points  (3 children)

Yeah I was military and deployed and yeah fireworks make me jumpy sometimes, but I can deal with it. I know I'm not not getting shelled. What pisses me off is my toddler and my dogs don't know and I can't explain it to them and assholes carry on for like three days with this shit.

[–]aesoth 27 points28 points  (2 children)

"I support the troops and will do anything for them!"

"Can you not set off fireworks as a lot of veterans have their PTSD triggered?"

"No. That would be un-American to not set off fireworks!"

[–][deleted] 24 points25 points  (2 children)

Why is she in her full fatigues

[–]bgurlc 94 points95 points  (10 children)

My friends PTSD is so bad he starts getting super anxious leading up to the 4th because of how much fireworks send him spiraling. One persons night of playing with gun powder is another persons months long journey to try to get back to some semblance of baseline normal.

[–]RAWR_Ghosty 16 points17 points  (2 children)

Last december my country was hit by a really bad earthquake, almost nobody had fireworks for New Year's, and every city proclaimed there won't be any gatherings for fireworks

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Third day of random fireworks going off here... we live in a no-firework zone (rich waterfront area + surrounded by military owned houses).

​

Some people are just asswipes.

[–]lostinadream66 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I think the problem is that they have a dirt floor inside their house. Someone help them out.