Arizona Wants to Shoot Down Drones to Secure the Border

There's a new law coming before the Arizona State legislators. The Arizona House is debating a bill that would allow law enforcement to shoot down drones near the Arizona border to fight drug trafficking.

It's hard to know if this new bill is a good idea because there are a lot of things to consider, both good and bad.

Law Enforcement & Shooting Down Drones in Arizona: HB 2733

The proposed Arizona House Bill 2733 would allow law enforcement to shoot down drones operating near the border to combat drug trafficking.

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International criminal organizations frequently use drones for a variety of purposes.

Mexican cartels have used drones to transport drugs across the border, as well as using them as surveillance tools to spy on law enforcement. Drones are also used to deliver weapons across the border.

Drones are becoming inexpensive and disposable, and for criminals, drones are an easy way and efficient way to bypass border security.

Can You Legally Shoot Down a Drone in Arizona?

The Downside of Shooting Down Drones in Arizona

So, is shooting these flying objects out of the sky a good idea?

Shooting down a drone is risky. Drones are legally considered aircraft, so knocking them out of the sky could incur federal criminal charges. There's no way to know who the drone belongs to from the ground.

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Plus, shooting a drone out of the sky could be very dangerous. From the fallout from discharging a firearm to the risk of stray bullets hitting the wrong target and the potential for injury or property damage from falling debris, all make shooting down a drone a very dangerous proposition.

And what if authorities mistakenly shoot down a drone that doesn't belong to criminals, like the type used for commercial or emergency purposes? There could be a ripple effect that leads to legal consequences.

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Law Enforcement & Shooting Down Drones in Arizona: HB 2733

House Bill 2733 is still being debated, but is it worth the risk to enhance border security? Are the potential legal, safety, and operational risks too controversial and dangerous?

The bill may be a stop-gap measure for now, but it may be wise to explore safer methods of preventing drones from entering our airspace.

Sources: Fox10 | Tucson Sentinel | Blue Falcon Aerial | Brookings Institute