Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
William Kirk, President of Washington Gun Law, tackled a frustrating issue for some Americans: the temptation to shoot down a neighbor’s drone if it’s hovering over your property.
Kirk acknowledges the desire, saying, “This is what we’re going to be talking about today… the strong desire that some of you may have to shoot your neighbor’s drone out of the sky when they’re flying it over your property.”
But despite the urge, he’s quick to clarify, “Do you get to shoot one of these out of the sky? The answer is no, you don’t.”
Kirk explains that local laws almost universally prohibit discharging a firearm except in self-defense. “The likelihood that your city, municipality, or county is going to permit you to discharge a firearm merely to shoot a drone out of the sky is virtually impossible,” he states.
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Even if privacy feels violated, Kirk reminds listeners that “there is no situation where I find that you’re going to be an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury” because of a drone.
Kirk then highlights the federal angle, noting that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has regulatory authority over drones, classifying them as “aircraft.”
Under federal law, he warns, “if you are prosecuted successfully for shooting a drone… you are subjected to felony penalties including up to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.”
He drives home the point: “No matter how bad your privacy is being invaded… you do not have the legal authority to shoot a drone out of the sky.”
Instead, Kirk suggests filing a complaint with the FAA, though he admits this may not provide immediate results.
In closing, Kirk advises gun owners to “know what the law is in every situation.”
Shooting down a drone may seem tempting, but he stresses the importance of being a responsible, law-abiding firearm owner.
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