I'm told that gun owners are supposed to be responsible for their actions.  I'm told that guns are supposed to be used for appropriate recreation and self defense.  It doesn't appear that your neighbor was responsible or exercising appropriate recreation or self defense.

Let's see how the gun enthusiasts answer this one.

Probably not a machine gun. There are not a whole lot of machine guns left in this country. If it had been a machine gun you wouldn't have been able to give a good estimate on the number of rounds fired. It would have been "a lot" and "really fast".

It is illegal to discharge your firearm within most parts of the city. I don't think that there are any exceptions to this rule when it comes to new years or the 4th. If you know which household it was you probably should have "reported" them the night that it happend. If you are truly concerned you can do it now and see what the police say. I'm all for being a nice neighbor, but if I think I hear a gunshot from someone in my building, I'm calling the cops right then.

That's my take. The other possibility is to knock on his door and ask if he heard any gunshots on new years.

"I'm all for being a nice neighbor, but if I think I hear a gunshot from someone in my building, I'm calling the cops right then." - Norm

Again, Norm, I sense that you think I'm being sarcastic and such, but you're wrong.  I'm not positive that all gun enthusiasts will answer so responsibly or intellecually honest as you did. 

Unfortunately, there are apologists in all walks of life.  Think back to the port protest discussions.

As to the number of "machine guns" (aren't all automatics aka "machine guns"?), is there some kind of record of the number in the US?

it was a firearm with live rounds, not blanks, then the shooter is in clear violation of the law and should be held accoutable.  Even shooting blanks is likely a violation of the law, but I wouldn't get too worked up about that. 

Shooting live rounds into the air is not only illegal, but grossly irresponsible.  Wherever the rounds come down can injure and even kill. 

Stupid people do stupid stuff.  Some dummies get into cars and drive dangerously, and some shoot guns in a dangerous manner.

...'cause I don't want to reveal myself to my neighbor.

I do think it was a small machine gun. The "burst" of fire lasted about 1.5 seconds and, being a musician, I heard a tempo and judged the 16 rounds in my head. I could be wrond about the number.

It sounded exeactly like those small, pistol-machine guns from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. LOL!

here is a demonstration of someone "bump firing" a semi-automatic weapon.

If I just go

L1 L2 R1 R2 up down up down up down...

All my problems will be solved.

if you're an idiot before you bought a gun, you likely are still an idiot after you bought it. Some people shouldn't be gun owners, just like some people shouldn't be parents.

"We Israelis sacrifice ourselves for our continued existence, our enemies sacrifice themselves for our destruction."--Unknown--

Well, I never reported him. And enough time has gone by that I think it's really water under the bridge. 

I really hope, though, that he doesn't shoot those guns off in the 'hood again. I can't really see approaching him and talking about it, though that might be an ideal solution with other types of issues.

Looking back on this thread, I suppose that if it happens again, I will probably call the police. Thanks for all of your input.