Political Quotes

“Today, I offer an amendment to prevent a person from operating an unmanned aircraft or an unmanned aircraft system in the national airspace if that aircraft is equipped or armed with a dangerous weapon, unless that equipment is authorized by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. I have introduced this important language as the No Armed Drones Act since the 112th Congress. In 2015, an 18-year-old in Connecticut built a multirotor drone mounted with a .45-caliber semiautomatic handgun capable of firing live ammunition while flying. This individual demonstrated how easy it was for a private citizen to create and operate an armed drone in his YouTube video entitled ``Flying Gun.'' Police did not arrest this person, saying that no violation of law had occurred. According to the then-chief of police in Clinton, Connecticut, where the drone video was made, this appeared to be a case of technology surpassing current legislation. In response to this and other drone incidents, government agencies are developing counter-drone technology to redirect rogue drones. Police say their greatest fear, with the increase in the use of recreational drones, is their weaponization. In addition, North Dakota has allowed law enforcement to fly drones armed with ``less than lethal'' weapons since 2015, something many in law enforcement say they are not comfortable doing. The use of drones for regular business operations is increasing, and that is a good thing.…”