Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisBlair
I'd like to make a few general notes on the subject:
'Trespass' implies a person being on property.
Laws about low flying aircraft may or may not apply or serve as precedent. In the case of an aircraft, the vehicle is piloted by a person physically present in the vehicle. The aircraft is also (supposed to be) registered in most cases and it's use is regulated by an official US governmental body, the FAA.
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Exactly.
Someone else posted a link about property rights. What that link implied is that you can build a house or hotel or tower as high as you want (unless local laws prohibit it). It had nothing to do with possessing air above your house or that aircraft trespass in any way.
There are laws for aircraft that pilots follow. Simply put, and person that shot a round of birdshot at a helicopter hovering 500 feet above your house would be in a world of hurt as far as prison time.
Drones are also currently regulated as aircraft, and it can be argued that currently most laws that protect manned aircraft also protect unmanned aircraft.
Right now, the FAA is working on laws regulating drones as the technology is new and wasn't really planned for. You can get licenses for commercial, though it's really on a temporary basis until the FAA does put in new regulations (hopefully within a year).
I don't shoot any video commercially at the moment, though I have looked into the possibility of applying for a permit. Since the laws are still not set, I'm ok waiting for them to finalize rules, then apply for a commercial license.
My major point here is that people need to chill a little on their perception of drones. It's a point that EXACTLY mirrors many peoples perceptions of gun laws.
Go after the people that do the stupid stuff. If they fly into the White House, prosecute them to the full extent of the law. If someone buys a gun and walks onto the White House, prosecute them to the full extent of the law. If you feel drones should be outlawed, then you also better feel that guns should be outlawed...otherwise you are a hypocrite.