BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Recent reports of drones flying over the East Coast have sparked public concern and questions about whether it’s legal to shoot down drones, especially over private property.
President-elect Donald Trump recently commented on the issue via Truth Social, suggesting the government should disclose what it knows about the drones or allow the public to “shoot them down.”
But is it legal to shoot down drones in Louisiana? The answer is no, according to the Louisiana State Police (LSP) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA considers drones to be aircraft, and under federal law, it is illegal to shoot at any aircraft, whether manned or unmanned. The FAA warns that doing so could cause the drone to crash, creating safety hazards to people, property, or other aircraft. Violators could face civil penalties or criminal charges, with potential federal sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill addressed the issue, expressing empathy for property owners but cautioning against taking action.
“I share the same concerns as many other people about these drone sightings,” said Murrill. “If one was hovering over my private property, I, too, would want to shoot it down. Unfortunately, it violates federal law and could violate state laws involving unlawful discharge of a firearm. It could also hurt other people or property. So, I do not advise individuals to shoot down a suspected drone. Instead, take pictures and call local law enforcement.”
Federal laws enforced by the FAA override any state or local drone-related regulations. The agency emphasizes that drones must be operated below 400 feet and in a way that does not pose a hazard to people or property. Unsafe drone activity should be reported to local law enforcement.
Exceptions for Law Enforcement
In Louisiana, certain statutes allow law enforcement or fire department personnel to disable a drone if it poses a public safety threat. For instance, a drone entering a restricted area during an emergency can be taken down to protect officers and the public.
Louisiana law also outlines specific unlawful uses of drones, including invasion of privacy and endangerment. Details about these laws and safe drone operation guidelines can be found on the FAA’s website.
