http://mythbustersresults.com/episode50
Fired straight up...unlikely to be dangerous, particularly a .22 handgun fired up...
1K fine is second offense.
The right to armed defense here extends to property.
http://www.guncite.com/court/state/48vt636.html
And this right trumps any city ordinance.
I take it you're not aware of this incident:
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100611/THISJUSTIN/100619989
That officer fired into the dark (he couldn't see his target) in a very dense residential area, towards houses ad near a school, denser than where Trapeni shot in the air. Yet he was given a pass. This is why this is important.
I do agree, Rutland is turning into a dumping ground for trash. Burlington too is that way these days. The police aren't taking it seriously in either city. Writing traffic tickets gets more priority than robberies, drug dealing, etc.