Amman, Aug. 6 (Petra) What should be a moment of joy and celebration often descends into sorrow and tragedy in Jordan when graduation parties and other happy occasions are marred by the sound of gunfire instead of cheers. Despite repeated warnings and rising casualties, the dangerous practice of celebratory gunfire remains prevalent, especially during the announcement of the general secondary education certificate examination (tawjihi) results.
According to the Public Security Directorate (PSD)’s Criminal Information Department, Jordan has recorded approximately 9,473 gunfire-related crimes between 2020 and 2024, including around 1,730 such incidents just last year alone.
Authorities have toughened their stance. The Public Prosecution reaffirms every year its strict policy of prosecuting individuals involved in celebratory gunfire. Offenders are referred to court under strict no-bail policies until a judicial verdict is issued.
Experts who spoke to Petra called for more intensive public awareness campaigns to highlight the dangers of such actions. They emphasized the importance of celebrating in a civilized, safe manner that respects others’ rights and preserves public safety. Communities and families, they argued, must shoulder responsibility and lead efforts to abandon this harmful practice.
The Ministry of Interior continues its digital campaign inviting citizens to sign an e-pledge to renounce celebratory gunfire. The initiative, launched to encourage public engagement in curbing the practice, is available online and open to all citizens regardless of location. The pledge can be accessed at: [https://ammangov.jo/Weapon](https://ammangov.jo/Weapon).
The campaign aims to raise awareness and enhance public safety, the ministry said.
Yousef Sharman, Associate Professor of Sociology at Al-Balqa Applied University, said celebratory gunfire is both a traditional and contemporary phenomenon rooted in social showmanship and pride. However, he stressed that it has caused widespread trauma, bodily harm, and even fatalities turning moments of happiness into lasting grief for victims and their families.
Statistics and past records, he said, reveal a troubling number of injuries and deaths as well as psychological trauma from witnessing such events. “How many lives have we lost to a moment of reckless pride?” Sharman asked, adding that these acts have led to feuds, tribal conflicts, and even property damage.
Economist Amer Shoubaki told Petra that celebratory gunfire remains a dangerous and costly social problem. The financial burden is not insignificant one bullet can cost up to two Jordanian dinars, meaning hundreds or even thousands of dinars could be wasted in a single event. Around 20% of households reportedly still engage in this behavior during major occasions.
“More critically, these actions instill fear among citizens, especially during summer when people spend more time outdoors, on rooftops and in public parks. This turns joyful events into a source of anxiety and real danger,” Shoubaki warned.
Between 2019 and 2023, seven people lost their lives to celebratory gunfire. Although police have solved all cases, the number of injuries and deaths remains alarmingly high. The real goal, he stressed, is to eliminate such incidents altogether.
Tribal leader Fayez Kharabsheh said celebratory gunfire stems from emotional overexcitement and cultural habits. Some people believe shooting reflects the intensity of their joy or serves as a reciprocation for similar gestures in previous events.
However, he highlighted the psychological risks and high financial costs, especially when automatic weapons are used, with expenses reaching thousands of dinars.
Jihad Turk, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at Tafila Technical University, noted that celebratory gunfire is deeply intertwined with social, cultural, and psychological factors. For some, he explained, it is a means of asserting identity, masculinity, or drawing attention to oneself in public gatherings.
Turk also attributed the persistence of the phenomenon to a belief that it is a vital tradition, along with widespread ignorance of its legal and physical dangers.
Laith Nasrawin, Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Jordan, pointed out that the Jordanian legislature addressed celebratory gunfire through various laws, including a 2017 amendment to Article 330 of the Penal Code. The law stipulates a three-month prison sentence or a JD1,000 fine or both for firing a weapon without justification, even if the weapon is licensed. If the act causes injury, the penalty increases to at least one year in prison; if it results in permanent disability or the death of a person, the penalty can reach 10 years of temporary hard labor, with harsher sentences in cases of repeat offenses or multiple victims.
Nasrawin added that the Firearms and Ammunition Law No. 5 of 1952 punishes the use of unlicensed weapons similarly. However, challenges remain, including the perception that celebratory gunfire is a cultural norm rather than a criminal offense and the lack of legal awareness in communities where the practice is most prevalent.
He urged a policy shift where carrying firearms is banned by default and allowed only for licensed security professionals, excluding automatic weapons from civilian use.
Nahla Momani, Commissioner for Protection at the National Centre for Human Rights, emphasized that celebratory gunfire violates fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life, bodily integrity, personal safety, and public order.
She noted that Jordan’s Constitution and legal framework criminalize such acts, and the penal code imposes prison sentences and fines on offenders. The law, she said, follows a graduated approach to punishment, consistent with international human rights standards and best practices, and is aimed at upholding the rule of law and deterring both individuals and communities from such dangerous behaviors.
//Petra// AF
06/08/2025 21:36:15
