Drones are amazing (and fun) technological devices, allowing for beautifully shot, perfectly detailed video of areas where access would have been difficult or impossible before. Videographers use them for stunning imagery, and first responders and emergency services use them for disaster evaluation and search and rescue operations.
Drones can also be really annoying and even intrusive when people fly them over your property or hover where they can peep over fences and into windows.
As of July, 822,039 drones have been registered in the U.S., according to the Federal Aviation Administration, with slightly more registered commercial pilots than recreational ones. Not all drones are registered, of course. And because of all those flying cameras, people regularly google an important question.
Can you shoot them down?
No, sorry. But new laws are coming in Florida Oct. 1 to help protect your privacy and safety. Here’s what to know.
Can you shoot drones in Florida? Seriously, can you?
Even if they’re aggravating, taking a shot at a hovering drone is illegal. The FAA considers it shooting at an aircraft, a federal crime.
Only law enforcement authorities or U.S. military forces can legally take action against drones. It’s also not very safe, as your missed shots could hurt someone or damage property and if you actually hit it, you could be liable for whatever or whomever it lands on.
Last year, a Florida man found this out firsthand.
In July 2024, Dennis Winn, 72, of Clermont, about 26 miles west of Orlando, opened fire at a Walmart delivery drone with a 9mm pistol. He told deputies he fired a round at it when it wouldn’t go away.
“They say I hit it so I must be a good shot, or else it’s not that far away,” he said in bodycam footage. “I’m going to wind up having to find a real good defense lawyer.”
Winn was charged with shooting at an aircraft, criminal mischief damage over $1,000 and discharging a firearm in public or residential property, according to the sheriff’s office. He agreed to a restitution order and was ordered by the court to pay $5,000 to the drone company for the damage, which he did, according to First Coast News.
New Florida laws increase penalties for snooping with drones, add law enforcement abilities
As of Wednesday, Oct. 1, the laws on drones will be updated to add harsh penalties for their misuse.
HB 1121: Unmanned Aircraft and Unmanned Aircraft Systems makes several changes relating to drones and unmanned aircraft systems, including:
The bill also authorizes law enforcement to use drones around a crowd of 50 people or more, or to provide security to elected officials.
Law enforcement is still prohibited by the “Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act” from using a drone to gather evidence at a crime scene or traffic accident (with some exceptions such as having a warrant, a high risk of terror attack, to save a life or find a missing person) or to help with traffic management.
Are drones legal in Florida?
Some federal drone laws apply everywhere. Commercial drone pilots or government employees (such as first responders) must get a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA and follow 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 recreational model aircraft rules, and register them if the drones weigh more than 0.55 pounds, along with line-of-sight restrictions and other rules.
Florida also prohibits drones on managed lands such as state parks except at a runway or heliport and only with authorization from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and prohibits drones from taking off or landing on District lands unless authorized by a Special Use Authorization. And certain popular drones made by Chinese companies may not be used by state agencies.
Who uses drones in Florida?
Aside from hobbyists, many law enforcement and other first responders use drones for better visuals of situations that won’t endanger a human.
In 2022, Florida Power and Light launched FPLAir One, a drone the size of a small plane capable of flying the length of Florida and back in a continuous flight. Universities use them for research, Some companies use drones to spray for mosquitos.
Walmart first announced drone delivery in 2021 and by the next year was making it available in select markets in Florida, as well as Texas and Arizona. Chick-fil-A launched a drone delivery option in Brandon in 2023. UPS was testing drone deliveries in Florida as early as 2017, and Subway tried it in 2024 for World UFO Day.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Is it legal to shoot down a drone over your property in Florida? New laws coming Oct. 1
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
