GUNS, FIRES ARE JULY 4 WORRIES.

Byline: Mariel Garza Staff Writer

The biggest threat to the city this Fourth of July holiday isn't coming from terrorists, but from celebrants firing guns into the air and setting off fireworks, law enforcement officials said Wednesday.

City and police officials are mobilizing to thwart any potential terrorist attacks, but there has been no specific threat against the city, they said.

``There's a general fear about things that might happen over this holiday weekend,'' said Los Angeles' acting Police Chief Martin Pomeroy, flanked by other leaders at the Police Academy. ``In my judgment, all of us - you and me and all of our citizens - are in far graver danger from being injured or having our property destroyed because of the thoughtless actions of a few of our neighbors ... than from any other single source.''

Pomeroy, Mayor James Hahn, Sheriff Lee Baca, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and other law enforcement authorities gathered on the eve of the nation's birthday to warn against shooting off guns in celebration or setting off fireworks, which are illegal in the city.

``We want everyone to have a wonderful Fourth of July celebrating our nation's independence and expressing their patriotism,'' Hahn said. ``We also want to make sure that everyone has a safe Fourth of July.''

``I've always been amazed that people think that when they fire a gun in the air, the bullets somehow enter orbit and disappear,'' Hahn said. ``Those bullets come down to earth - sometimes with very tragic circumstances.''

Both illegal fireworks and gunshots have hurt and killed people in past years. Pomeroy said that during his tenure with the LAPD, two children have been killed by bullets from guns fired in celebration.

Scofflaws who ignore the law will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and sheriff's deputies will be outfitted with ``shotspotter'' technology that can pinpoint a gunshot within a 25-foot radius.

``People who shoot guns in the air are stupid, quite frankly,'' Baca said. ``And this kind of insanity and stupidity has got to stop.''

Law enforcement officials said that on the typical Fourth of July, crime decreases, while there's an increase in personal dangers such as drunk- driving crashes, pool drownings, burns from illegal fireworks and barbecues, and fights.

Serious wildfires are also a concern, and the use of illegal fireworks could ignite a blaze because conditions are unusually dry, warned acting Los Angeles Fire Chief John Callahan.

To guard against possible terrorism, LAPD will deploy extra officers at large gatherings, on public transportation and at public buildings.

The Sheriff's Department won't have extra officers on duty, but will redeploy on-duty officers as needed. Baca said deputies will keep an eye on bridges, movie studios, entertainment parks and public buildings.

The California Highway Patrol will also be on heightened alert, with all available officers on duty through Sunday night.

``So far we haven't heard of anything,'' Hahn said. ``But we will continue to be vigilant.''