Over the past month, buzzing clouds of unidentified drones have been spotted buzzing through the night sky over New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.
Robert W. Wheeler Jr., deputy director of the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group, said the agency still cannot explain these cases. Some New England leaders have expressed concern about the lack of knowledge about these unknown floating machines.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said state police are working with necessary authorities to determine the cause of these drone sightings. Connecticut State Senator Tony Hwang said the lack of information to the public on the issue was inexcusable.
Representative Seth Magaziner, member of the Homeland Security Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Subcommittee, said in a video on actor.
Whatever the source, it does beg the question: can you shoot drones?
Can you shoot drones in Rhode Island?
An Atlantic City man is accused of flying drones to drop paint packets into swimming pools.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, as of October 1, there are 791,597 drones registered in the U.S., almost evenly split between commercial and recreational use. Of course, not all drones are registered.
But even if they annoy you, it’s illegal to shoot at a hovering drone. The FAA considers shooting at an aircraft a federal crime.
Only law enforcement agencies can take action against drones, said Ryan Calo, a law professor at the University of Washington and an expert on robotics. It’s also not very safe because your missed shots could injure someone or damage property and if you hit it, you could now be liable to whatever or whoever the ball lands on.
Are drones legal in Rhode Island?
Some federal drone laws apply everywhere. Commercial drone pilots or government employees (such as first responders) must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA and meet the requirements of the FAA’s Part 107 Small UAS Rule (Part 107).
Recreational drone pilots must take the FAA’s Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), follow FAA rules for recreational model aircraft and register them if the drones weigh more than 0.55 pounds, along with line-of-sight restrictions and other rules.
Rhode Island has multiple state laws regarding drones.
Must read: What are drones and who can fly them? What to know amid mysterious sightings.
HB 7511 is a bill that gives exclusive authority as regulators over drones to the State of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, with this authority subject to federal law and taking precedence over local governments making their own drone laws.
Title 250 of the Park and Management Area Rules and Regulations says operating drones in a state park in Rhode Island without a special use permit is prohibited. It also says drone operations cannot harass or attack park visitors, wildlife or other natural resources with a state park.
All Rhode Island drone pilots operating commercially are subject to the FAA’s Part 107 regulations.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared in The Providence Journal: Can you shoot down a drone in Rhode Island? What you need to know
