Defense Against Drones Act of 2025
Defense Against Drones Act of 2025 would add a new provision to federal law allowing a private-property owner to shoot down an unmanned aircraft (drone) that is believed to be flying no more than 200 feet above the owner’s property, using a legally obtained shotgun. The measure ties the action to existing state laws governing the discharge of firearms and includes a requirement that, if possible, the shooter may return the downed drone to its owner and must report, within 60 days, the incident location and the drone’s registration number to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) if the registration can be identified. The FAA would be directed to issue regulations to implement the new provision. The bill also states that it does not preempt state tort or criminal liability for actions taken under this section and defines “shotgun” consistent with federal law. Overall, it creates a narrow, property-protection exception for private drone incursions, with regulatory follow-up and liability considerations shifting to a mix of federal regulation and existing state law.
Key Points
- 1Creates a new federal provision (Sec. 44815) allowing a private property owner to shoot an unmanned aircraft that is believed to be flying no more than 200 feet above the owner’s property, using a legally obtained shotgun, subject to state firearm-discharge laws.
- 2The shooter may, but is not required to, return the downed drone to the owner upon request.
- 3If the drone’s registration number can be identified, the shooter must report the incident to the FAA within 60 days, including the incident location and the registration number.
- 4The FAA is required to issue regulations necessary to carry out the new section.
- 5The definition of “shotgun” uses the same meaning as 18 U.S.C. § 921, and the bill explicitly states it should not be construed to preempt state tort or criminal liability related to the action.