A couple from western Nebraska are in hot water after their baby gender announcement went off with... a bang. Jon and Ashley Sterkel thought that using an explosive rifle target to reveal they are expecting a boy would be a fantastic idea. However, when Jon shot the target the blue chalk powder that was packed around the target erupted. The explosion was so loud that several people called the police as far as three miles away and radio stations reported the boom. John took to Facebook to address the concerns:

'I would like to apologise for all of the confusion. This was just our way of announcing what gender our baby was.'

The Mail Online reports that because of the confusion surrounding the laws the couple were issued with a ticket punishable by a $1,000 fee, one year in prison, or both.

Although it is legal to buy them, they require a permit by the State Patrol to be legally set off.

Watch the announcement here What do you think of gender reveals? Do you have any unusual examples?