States join battle over drone flights
Eighteen states have considered bills that would limit the use of unmanned aerial systems, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, and more are likely to follow suit.
In Washington, meanwhile, lawmakers are pushing for new civil liberties and privacy protections to ease fears about invasive surveillance from the skies.
Manufacturers of unmanned aerial systems say there is vast potential for police departments and law enforcement officials to use drones in their work. But the idea is being met with strong resistance in some states, including Virginia, which last week sent a bill to Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) that would create a two-year moratorium on police work with unmanned aircraft.
Several states — including California, Florida, New Jersey, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas and Missouri — are considering a moratorium similar to Virginia’s.
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Hope and Change….and drones.
aquaviva on February 17, 2013 at 2:20 PM
They shouldn’t have a moratorium, they should ban them. Allow private communications, non-surveillance drones and weather drones but that’s about it.
sharrukin on February 17, 2013 at 2:28 PM
I’m opposed to drone surveillance, but not so much the concept of drone surveillance. The problem as I see it is in more in the laws, in the enforcement, and in the intentions of those using it, and not so much in the technology used to further it. As it is now with the current regime, a drone surveilling an area with 10,000 people people passing through could find some 10% of the people breaking some law or another and there will be a host of government bureaucrats, all the way down to dog wardens and health department lemonade stand division wanting to use that information.
I don’t know that I’d want to ban them all, but I certainly think states should ban the Federal government from using them in their states. If the Feds have reason to have one used they can apply to the responsible state authority for assistance on it.
Dusty on February 17, 2013 at 2:58 PM
Absolutely. No fed drones in my state, for openers. After that, we can thrash the rest out at the state and local levels.
petefrt on February 17, 2013 at 3:04 PM
Now THIS is something worth bringing up at the MIGOP Convention!
Once again the TEA Party Patriots will lead the way.
DannoJyd on February 17, 2013 at 3:13 PM