Gunshots or fireworks? Here’s how to tell the difference as the Fourth of July approaches

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — As America gears up to celebrate its Independence Day on July 4th, some Rockford residents may be wondering how to tell the difference between the sound of gunshots and fireworks.

Residents of some Rockford neighborhoods often take to social media platforms like NextDoor or Ring Neighbors to share reports of pops and bangs, often questioning whether they’ve heard a “celebration or catastrophe.”

Both the City of Rockford and the City of Freeport installed a gunshot detection system called SoundThinking (formerly ShotSpotter), which uses listening posts placed throughout the city, along with a sophisticated software decoding system, to listen for and differentiate between the sound of gunshots and fireworks.

Experts say there is a distinct difference in the sounds.

Kevin Creighton, who runs AmmoMan.com, said gunshots have regular intervals as a pistol reloads a new bullet into the weapon’s chamber, after each round is fired.

Gunshots produce a very hard, sharp sound, Creighton said.

 “If you hear a ‘pop, pop, pop’ and you’re not seeing any smoke, call law enforcement,” he added.

In 2022, Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley established a new gun court to deal with what he called a “gun crime epidemic.” The program sends criminal cases in which a firearm was used to a specific judge and attorneys.

Private cameras can also go a long way in helping investigations. Residents can do their part by allowing their camera into the city’s system.

Fireworks can give off multiple cracks or booms all at once, or at random, Creighton told WBTV. There is also usually a whiz or crackling noise to be heard if the listener is close enough to the sound.

According to Rockford Police, in the first part of 2025, data showed a 7.6% decline in aggravated assaults, from 1,396 in 2023 to 1,290 in 2024; “shots fired” incidents, from 437 to 302; and victims struck by gunfire from 105 to 83.

Guns recovered during arrests has also declined. Police said in 2022 they recovered 387 weapons; that was down to 321 in 2023 and 268 in 2024.