What most of you don't understand is a warning shot is still a bullet sailing off into the distance. If it is fired into the air at any angle below 45 degrees it will probably travel to its maximum range, which for a 5.56mm round could be up to 3 kms. If it is fired into the ground then it could ricochet in any direction. The alternative to firing a warning shot is actually shooting the suspected attacker or waiting to possibly die. This is the best defence we currently have.