Drones are great for exploring. Seeing everything from a bird’s eye perspective is pretty cool, but you have to be careful. Obviously, drones can smash into buildings, power lines, or even people, but there is another risk. Some people might think it is okay to take aim at your drone. The thought of hundreds or even thousands of tiny spying eyes in the sky isn’t a pleasant thought! The time is coming; drones are starting to appear overhead already. Soon, we’ll have to face the issue of drone shootings in Missouri.

Drone Shooting in Kentucky

Shooting at a drone might sound like part of a TV show, but it really happens. When William Meredith saw a drone flown by John Boggs, William thought the drone was spying on his sunbathing daughter in the privacy of their back yard, so he shot it down. Of course, he was concerned; he thought he was just defending his property and family. Boggs sued Meredith, but the court couldn’t decide if the drone was in federal airspace or personal airspace. The civil case was dismissed, so the issue is still up in the air, so to speak. Meredith still faced a criminal case.

The Reality

Spying is an issue, but you can’t just shoot down drones. Many cities and towns have laws against firing weapons. It makes sense. Drones are small and fast so they’re hard to hit, even for trained shooters. When you shoot, what goes up must come down, which can be extremely dangerous when we are talking about bullets. Hitting buildings, other property, or even other people is a ticket to problem town.

Something else to consider is that some drones can be classified as aircraft; shooting those will get you into some serious trouble; federal felony trouble. I know I don’t want the feds knocking at my door, and I’ll bet you don’t either.

So, What Can We Do?

Naturally, you’re asking, “What can I do?” Call the police! It is illegal to spy on people, and there are rules about flying drones in specific areas. Shooting isn’t the right call. If someone had a camera, shooting at them wouldn’t be appropriate. A drone isn’t a person, so it isn’t even the same as trespassing; castle doctrine doesn’t apply. Let’s save firing guns in the air for bird hunting and shooting skeet.

If you own a drone or are worried about irresponsibly operated drones, don’t do anything extreme or break the law. Instead, call someone qualified to answer all your legal questions about drones and shooting. If you have any questions about drone liability suits in Missouri or would like a free consultation, contact attorney Chris Benjamin at KC Road Lawyers by calling 816-425-2420 or navigating to our contact page for a consultation at the firm’s Lee’s Summit or Butler Missouri offices.