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Fact Finders: Can you shoot down a drone? Here’s why you don’t have the right to interfere with the flight of an aircraft.
KY3 ^ | January 15, 2025 | Paul Adler

Posted on 03/22/2025 7:45:57 AM PDT by DoodleBob

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3)—The House Committee on Homeland Security Chair is promising new federal drone legislation this year. We’ve recently had a lot of discussion on Unmanned Aircraft Systems after drone scares in New Jersey.

So, our viewer Jen wants to know; If we see drones hovering over our property, what rights do we have to take them down? Can you shoot them down?

Congress may not have written the word drone in the Aircraft Sabotage Act back in 1984 but the act is now the law of the land. It protects all aircraft... and that includes drones.

“If you shoot at it,” explained Grant Rahmeyer of Rah Law. “You could be subject to some serious criminal penalties, both federal penalties for shooting at what they would consider a drone as an aircraft. There are state law penalties as well for negligently discharging firearms..., which specifically list aircraft as well.”

The FAA sent us this statement: It’s illegal under federal law to shoot at an aircraft. A private citizen shooting at any aircraft – including unmanned aircraft – poses a significant safety hazard. An unmanned aircraft hit by gunfire could crash, causing damage to persons or property on the ground, or it could collide with other objects in the air. Shooting at an unmanned aircraft could result in a civil penalty from the FAA and/or criminal charges filed by federal, state, or local law enforcement. Congress gave certain federal agencies authority to counter credible threats from drones. Generally speaking, it is legal to fly a drone in most locations if you’re operating under 400 feet, but there are rules—including safety tests, keeping below 400 feet, keeping the drone in sight, avoiding all other aircraft, not causing a hazard to any people or property, and avoiding restricted airspace.

If you have a drone circling your property, Rahmeyer says you should photograph it, videotape it, and document it in any way possible. Then, call the authorities with your documentation. You could then pursue a nuisance-type claim against the drone operator.

One more thing to keep in mind, many cities restrict the discharge of firearms in city limits.

To answer Jen’s question; NO, you do not have the right to shoot down a drone.


TOPICS: Hobbies; Outdoors; Society
KEYWORDS: aviation; banglist; drone; drones; flying
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This article provides a deeper treatment on the subject.

Jamming

Jamming any type of radio signal is illegal. Federal law prohibits the use of and sale of jamming equipment that interferes with any authorized radio communications. This includes trying to jam the signal between a drone and its operator.

Drones are equipped with transmitters and receivers. All communications are sent using radio waves of varying frequencies, whether the interface is provided by GPS, Wi-Fi, or a handheld controller. Jamming equipment works by emitting a signal on the same frequency as the drone, disrupting communication. Attempting to jam the drone’s signal could interrupt the transmission of other radio signals, including police radios.

Jamming the drone’s signal does not provide control of the drone. When a signal is lost, drones are designed to do one of two things. The drone either lands on the spot or uses GPS to navigate to its home location.

1 posted on 03/22/2025 7:45:57 AM PDT by DoodleBob
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To: DoodleBob

If a drone appeared over my property, there is a very high probability that it would be neutralized.


2 posted on 03/22/2025 7:51:50 AM PDT by drwoof
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To: DoodleBob

If it buzzes me, we’re gonna find out.


3 posted on 03/22/2025 7:52:11 AM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
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To: DoodleBob

You can legally throw a stick at it or snag it with a pool skimmer net.


4 posted on 03/22/2025 7:52:24 AM PDT by wildcard_redneck ( )
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To: DoodleBob

This is another “right” these assholes like to abuse.
Like these first amendment “auditors” some purposely got out and antagonize people to get responces.
Facts are, you purposely fly your “drone” around to take videos of private individuals without their express permission and post them for commercial purposes, youtube, etc, you can and will be liable.


5 posted on 03/22/2025 7:55:17 AM PDT by crz
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To: DoodleBob

If a drone falls in th3 wilderness, does it make a sound?


6 posted on 03/22/2025 7:56:51 AM PDT by Bob434 (Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana)
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To: DoodleBob

7 posted on 03/22/2025 7:59:39 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is opinion or satire. Or both.)
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To: DoodleBob

There are also anti-peeping laws in most States, so down the drone and charge the operator.

There are also FAA regs about keeping so far away from people and occupied properties.


8 posted on 03/22/2025 8:01:26 AM PDT by CodeToad ( )
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To: DoodleBob

But... but... but... what about those drones that can contain weapons? Don’t we have the right to bear arms? Don’t we have a right to protect ourselves from something that may or may not have a weapon?

https://nexttools.net/what-weapons-do-drones-carry/


9 posted on 03/22/2025 8:02:17 AM PDT by Deaf and Discerning
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To: DoodleBob

You think that 4th of July is deadly in ghettos, wait until they start shooting at drones, the angled bullets will travel farther and be more deadly.


10 posted on 03/22/2025 8:06:45 AM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: drwoof

SSS

just make sure it’s dead enough it’s tracker is um dead too.


11 posted on 03/22/2025 8:12:06 AM PDT by cableguymn (They don't want peace they want skeletons )
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To: DoodleBob
If you fire a rifle into the air, the bullet can travel far and still have lethal speed when it lands.
Buckshot would probably be safer.

But the legality... you don't really know what the drone is doing or why.
It could be a perfectly legitimate use, like surveying, search & rescue, tracking illegals or fugitives etc.
The problem comes when law enforcement use drones to keep an eye on private land owners. It should require a search warrant at least.
And of course, peeping drones. Those are the ones we want to shoot down.
But how can you tell, reliably? Other than hovering too close to your sunbathing daughters.

12 posted on 03/22/2025 8:13:11 AM PDT by BitWielder1 (I'd rather have Unequal Wealth than Equal Poverty.)
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To: ansel12

Bird shot. Don’t use slugs..

more likely to get a confirmed hit.


13 posted on 03/22/2025 8:13:32 AM PDT by cableguymn (They don't want peace they want skeletons )
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To: drwoof
Photo of drwoof shooting down drones in his backyard


14 posted on 03/22/2025 8:14:36 AM PDT by lowbridge ("Let’s check with Senator Schumer before we run it" - NY Times)
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To: CodeToad

There are also laws that require every drone buyer to obtain a license. And, there are laws about “peeping”.

Down it.


15 posted on 03/22/2025 8:16:26 AM PDT by bobbo666
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To: BitWielder1

Re “… It could be a perfectly legitimate use, like surveying, search & rescue, tracking illegals or fugitives etc...”

Then, if that is the case, the operator needs to inform people in the area that that is the purpose.

Otherwise… it’s Duck Season


16 posted on 03/22/2025 8:29:07 AM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: DoodleBob
Yes, if the drone is below a certain altitude.

Grant Rahmeyer of Rah Law is wrong.

You not only can shoot them down if they are over your property and below 400 feet but you can sue the nasty little peeping tom for privacy violations.

17 posted on 03/22/2025 8:36:48 AM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear ( Not my circus. Not my monkeys. But I can pick out the clowns at 100 yards.)
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To: bobbo666

Many areas are under FAA controlled airspace and drones cannot be flown there without permission. To know, anyone can search online for a “Sectional” for their area and that sectional will depict the Class B, Class C, and Class D airport areas drones are prohibited, often from the ground to 2,500 feet above the ground.


18 posted on 03/22/2025 8:36:53 AM PDT by CodeToad ( )
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To: crz

I was checking that pesky constitution thingie and I can’t find where the fed was granted the power to regulate aircraft or airspace...


19 posted on 03/22/2025 8:41:38 AM PDT by joe fonebone (And the people said NO! The End)
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To: joe fonebone

FAA before that CAA.
Argue their “Constitutionality” with them see how far you get. Here’s where you can start your legal brief.

https://openyls.law.yale.edu/bitstream/handle/20.500.13051/12234/68_39YaleLJ1113_1929_1930_.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y


20 posted on 03/22/2025 8:48:34 AM PDT by Reily (a)
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