Did you just hear fireworks or gunshots in Columbus? Here’s how to tell the difference

Even though most fireworks are illegal in the Columbus area, you can still hear them around the city, and sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between those pops and the sound of gunfire.

Knowing the difference in sounds can help neighbors decide whether to call 911 or just chock it up to seasonal celebrating.

AmmoMan, a gun and firearm enthusiast website, acknowledges it can be hard to tell, but there are a few distinct ways to distinguish between the two.

It’s about rhythm, not volume

Both gunfire and fireworks can hit 120 to 140 decibels, so loudness alone won’t tell you anything, and large fireworks exploding close to the ground can even outdo a handgun or rifle.

Gunshots, typically:

• Are sharper and lower-frequency
• Have a brief silence afterward
• Fire in quick succession rather than a predictable pattern
• Have a mechanical firing limit that creates a rhythmic cadence
• Are crisp in sound
• Produce a sharper crack

Fireworks, often:

• Are not bound by a set cadence
• Fire on the fuse’s own schedule
• Sound more sporadic
• Crackle with echoes and sometimes have a whistle beforehand
• Give a boom followed by an echo or sizzle

Check for smoke and light, not just sound

If you can see the sky, that’s often faster than analyzing the noise. A “pop, pop, pop” with no smoke is a red flag. A smoke trail or light trail in the sky after a bang points to fireworks, not gunfire

Modern firearms:

• Use smokeless powder
• Produce little visible smoke

Fireworks

• Rely on black powder
• Leave a large smoke cloud.

Understand the detection technology

Columbus Police Department uses the Real Time Crime Center, a state-of-the-art hub where they utilize technology to monitor, analyze, and respond to incidents as they unfold in real time, 24/7.

This technology brings together gunshot detection, surveillance camera feeds, license-plate readers and other digital tools in a single command center. Analysts monitor live and recorded data, flag leads for officers and package digital evidence for prosecutors.

What to do if you think you hear gunshots

If you fear for your safety, call the police.

Immediate safety actions

• Take cover: drop to the floor and stay away from windows and doors
• Assess the context: Use the above criteria to consider what you may be hearing.

When reporting:

• Dial 911
• Provide specific details
• If you feel unsafe or fear retaliation, tell the dispatcher you would like to remain anonymous, or request officers do not approach

If there is no immediate danger, but you want to report suspicious activity or provide lingering details, call the CPD non-emergency line at 706-653-3188 for anonymous tips or 706-225-3205 to reach the main department.

This story was originally published July 2, 2026 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Did you just hear fireworks or gunshots in Columbus? Here’s how to tell the difference."