U.S. Representative Peter Meijer (R-MI) today joined Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) in introducing the Drone Act, legislation that would create comprehensive federal restrictions to prohibit the most dangerous uses of drones.
“Drone technology has the potential to transform the way we conduct business in our country,” said Rep. Meijer. “At the same time, we must ensure that bad actors cannot use drones to facilitate illegal activity and cause harm to our society, and this is especially important at our southern border where drug and human traffickers are known to use drones to commit crimes and bolster their operations. I am glad to help lead this effort to modernize existing law, deter criminal activity, and enhance public safety.”
“Drones can be useful pieces of technology for commerce and recreation, but in the hands of terrorist organizations, drug traffickers, or irresponsible operators, can be a threat to our homeland security,” said Rep. Gallagher. “The Drone Act would create federal guidelines to ensure this technology is used responsibly and that bad actors are held accountable. I look forward to seeing this bill pass the House.”
The Drone Act of 2022 would:
- Prohibit attaching a weapon to a drone
- Prohibit the willful removal of drone identification numbers and the disabling of their transmissions and anti-collision lights
- Subject anyone trying to get a prohibited object into a prison by way of drone with a ten-year prison sentence
- Apply the same penalties to drone operators who knowingly or recklessly interfere with motor vehicles, boats, and spacecraft. Under current law, drone operators are subject to various penalties for knowingly or recklessly interfering with airplanes and runways.
- Prohibit, with up to a two-year prison sentence, the reckless or knowing interference of another emergency-response activity, law enforcement agency, or military operation
Original source can be found here.
