Once again we take to this space to ask of our friends, our neighbors, to celebrate the Fourth of July in a manner befitting those who living in a civilized society.

Once again we take to this space to ask our friends, our neighbors, to not do something so incredibly stupid that it requires us to regularly write such a request each Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve.

We are simply asking our friends, our neighbors, to not use their guns as a way to celebrate the Fourth of July.

You would think asking people to not shoot rounds of ammunition into the night sky to celebrate the Fourth of July is something you wouldn’t have to do. You would think.

But, as if with the passing of the seasons, the rising and setting of the sun, there is no doubt in our minds, some persons — some idiots — will look at their handgun and say, “heck yeah, happy Fourth of July everyone” and then squeeze off a few rounds into the night sky.

It always happens despite our incessant pleading, the repeated requests of law enforcement and the mere law of physics.

Those bullets have to come down at some point, and it is only a matter of time before medical officials and the authorities have to respond to a scene where someone was injured — or God forbid — killed by a falling bullet.

This is not kid’s play. This is not something to make fun of, nor is it something to take lightly. This is dangerous.

So again, we come to you and ask, please do not fire your handguns or rifles into the sky this Fourth of July. We’d actually to go so far as to ask you to never do it all.

Make sure this Fourth of July is one that is a time for family and friends, not one where one family has to remember when bullets came raining down from the sky.