Florida could lead the way as the first state to allow property owners to use reasonable force to prevent drones from operating within 500 feet of their homes.
The legislation, known as SB 1422, introduced by State Senator Keith L. Truenow (R), aims to enhance residents' privacy rights due to the increasing use of drone technology.
On April 16, a bill was introduced in the Senate seeking to expand the no-fly zones. This measure seeks to protect residential neighborhoods and critical infrastructure, such as airports and refineries.
The lack of definition in the information regarding the use of the term "reasonable force" has raised concerns about potential misunderstandings, particularly in relation to the use of firearms.
Shooting down drones is prohibited by federal law. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines drones as aircraft, and shooting them down can result in serious civil and criminal consequences. The agency warns: "A struck drone could cause serious damage or accidents."
As reported by interestingengineering.com, Senator Jason Pizzo warned during a committee discussion about the dangers of ambiguity in legislation: "I don't want anyone to think they can just knock things out of the sky, which could cost them up to 20 years in federal prison."
The legislation comes as public concern grows over the misuse of drones for surveillance purposes. With more than one million drones registered in the United States, the demand for stricter controls is constantly growing.
If approved, this legislation could be implemented by October 2025, establishing a benchmark for air privacy regulation nationwide.
