DronesMore states consider laws to limit the use of drones by police
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) appears ready to allow the use of drones in the United States, by both law enforcement agencies and private citizens, almost with no restrictions. Experts predict that by the end of the decade, there will be about 30,000 drones flying over the United States. Legislators in at least eleven states want to impose limits on the use of UAVs as worries grow that the unregulated use of drones would erode the liberties of Americans.
Police drone-limiting legislation underway // Source: ganjejang.com
Legislators in at least eleven states want to impose limits on the use of UAV by local law enforcement, as worries grow that the unregulated use of drones would erode the liberties of Americans.
These privacy concerns grow as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) appears ready to allow the use of drones, by both law enforcement agencies and private citizens, almost with no restrictions. Experts predict that by the end of the decade, there will be about 30,000 drones flying over the United States.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) notes that states can impose limits only on the use of drones by state law enforcement. Federal law enforcement and border agents will not be restricted by state regulations.
The Miami Herald reports that California, Oregon, Texas, Nebraska, Missouri, North Dakota, Florida, Virginia, Maine, and Oklahoma are all looking to restrict the use of UAVs by local law enforcement.
The concerns come as the FAA began to establish safety standards for civilian drones, which are becoming more affordable and smaller in size. Police agencies say the drone would be a great help for surveillance and search and rescue operations, but in many states there has been a push-back by privacy advocates.
Montana, a state with decidedly libertarian leanings, is a case in point. The state, for example, does not even allow the police to use traffic cameras to catch people running red lights.
Now Democrats and Republicans in the state are behind several proposals aiming to restrict drone use.
State Senator Matthew Rosendale (R) is supporting a measure which will require local law enforcement to get a search warrant in order to use a drone, and also make it illegal for private citizens to spy on neighbors with UAVs.
“I do not think our citizens would want cameras to fly overhead and collect data on our lives,” Rosendale told a legislative panel on Tuesday.
A different bill now before the Montana state senate bans any and all information collected by drones from being used in court. The measure would also ban local and state government from owning drones outfitted with weapons such as stun guns.
“The use of drones across the country has become a great threat to our personal privacy,” ACLU of Montana policy director Niki Zupanic told the AP. “The door is wide open for intrusions into our personal private space.”
In Missouri, a House Committee reviewed a bill earlier this week which would outlaw the use of unmanned aircraft from conducting surveillance on individuals or property, unless the police have a search warrant.
“It’s important for us to prevent Missouri from sliding into a police-type state,” Representative. Casey Guernsey (R) said.
In North Dakota, a similar bill was introduced last month as a result of the 2011 arrest of a farmer after a 16-hour standoff in which SWAT used a drone to help apprehend the suspect. The use of the drone was challenged, but upheld by state courts.
