1784-1785 N.Y. Laws 152, An Act to Prevent Firing of Guns and Other Firearms within this State, on Certain Days Therein Mentioned, ch. 81.

Whereas great dangers have arisen, and mischief been done, by the pernicious practice of firing guns, pistols, rockets, squibs, and other fire works on the eve of the last day of December, and the first and second days of January . . . if any person or persons whomsoever, shall fire or discharge any gun, pistol, rocket, squib or any other firework, within a quarter of a mile of any building, of the said eve, or days beforementioned, every such person so offending, and being thereof convicted before an justice of the peace, of the city or county where such offence shall be committed either by the confession of the party or parties so offending, or the oath of any one credible witness, shall for every such offence forfeit the sum of forty shillings with costs of suit, to be levied by distress and sale of the offenders [sic] goods and chattles, but warrant under the hand and seal of said justice, before whom such conviction or convictions shall be had as aforesaid, the one moiety of which forfeiture, to be applied to the use of the poor, of the town or place wherein such offender shall be convicted, and the other moiety to the use of the person or persons who shall prosecute for the same and for want of sufficient distress, whereon to levy the same, every such justice is hereby impowered [sic] and required, by warrant under his hand and seal to commit every such person or persons, so as aforesaid offending, to the common gaol of the county wherein the said forfeiture shall arise, there to remain without bail or mainprize for the space of one month, unless such forfeiture or forfeitures shall sooner be paid.