Drone Delivery: The Sky is Falling, and So Are the Consequences
As corporate giants like Amazon, Google, and Walmart continue to invest in drone delivery, a sinister trend is emerging. Drones, once hailed as the future of convenience, are now being shot out of the sky by angry citizens. And the question on everyone’s mind is: what are the consequences?
In a recent incident in Florida, a man allegedly shot down a Walmart drone, claiming it was spying on him. The suspect, Dennis Winn, was charged with discharging a firearm and criminal mischief, resulting in damages of over $1,000. But as the drone delivery industry continues to grow, it’s only a matter of time before more drones meet the same fate.
The United States is home to more guns than people, and it’s not hard to imagine a scenario where a disgruntled citizen takes matters into their own hands. And with the FAA’s ambiguous stance on drone shootings, the consequences could be severe.
In 2016, the FAA pointed to 18 U.S.C. 32, a law focused on aircraft sabotage, which could be interpreted to include drones. The language is broad enough to cover UAVs, meaning the penalties could be just as stiff. But in most cases, the federal government has deferred to state law for enforcement, leaving the legal implications murky.
As the drone delivery industry continues to scale, we may soon have an answer to the role federal legislation will play in UAV shootings. But one thing is clear: the consequences can be severe, whether it’s invoked or not.
The Sky is Falling, and So Are the Consequences
The question on everyone’s mind is: what are the consequences of shooting down a drone? As the drone delivery industry continues to grow, it’s only a matter of time before more drones meet the same fate. And with the FAA’s ambiguous stance on drone shootings, the consequences could be severe.
In a recent incident in Florida, a man allegedly shot down a Walmart drone, claiming it was spying on him. The suspect, Dennis Winn, was charged with discharging a firearm and criminal mischief, resulting in damages of over $1,000. But as the drone delivery industry continues to grow, it’s only a matter of time before more drones meet the same fate.
The United States is home to more guns than people, and it’s not hard to imagine a scenario where a disgruntled citizen takes matters into their own hands. And with the FAA’s ambiguous stance on drone shootings, the consequences could be severe.
In 2016, the FAA pointed to 18 U.S.C. 32, a law focused on aircraft sabotage, which could be interpreted to include drones. The language is broad enough to cover UAVs, meaning the penalties could be just as stiff. But in most cases, the federal government has deferred to state law for enforcement, leaving the legal implications murky.
As the drone delivery industry continues to scale, we may soon have an answer to the role federal legislation will play in UAV shootings. But one thing is clear: the consequences can be severe, whether it’s invoked or not.
The Drone Delivery Conundrum
The drone delivery industry is still in its infancy, with many logistical and legal hurdles to overcome. But one thing is clear: the consequences of shooting down a drone could be severe. And as the industry continues to grow, it’s only a matter of time before more drones meet the same fate.
In a recent incident in Florida, a man allegedly shot down a Walmart drone, claiming it was spying on him. The suspect, Dennis Winn, was charged with discharging a firearm and criminal mischief, resulting in damages of over $1,000. But as the drone delivery industry continues to grow, it’s only a matter of time before more drones meet the same fate.
The United States is home to more guns than people, and it’s not hard to imagine a scenario where a disgruntled citizen takes matters into their own hands. And with the FAA’s ambiguous stance on drone shootings, the consequences could be severe.
In 2016, the FAA pointed to 18 U.S.C. 32, a law focused on aircraft sabotage, which could be interpreted to include drones. The language is broad enough to cover UAVs, meaning the penalties could be just as stiff. But in most cases, the federal government has deferred to state law for enforcement, leaving the legal implications murky.
As the drone delivery industry continues to scale, we may soon have an answer to the role federal legislation will play in UAV shootings. But one thing is clear: the consequences can be severe, whether it’s invoked or not.
