New York may join the list of states across the country that have been curtailing the use of unmanned drones. Newly-elected Bronx Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda just announced he is “preparing legislation to circumscribe the domestic usage of drones.”
“The Assemblyman believes that not enough attention is being paid to their operations in the United States, and envisions that without appropriate safeguards, they can be used for malicious and intrusive purposes,” a press release from Mr. Sepulveda’s office declared. “Mr. Sepulveda is open to coordinating with civil libertarian groups to ensure that any bill originating from his office will be adequately comprehensive to “stay ahead” of this burgeoning technology.”
President Obama’s administration recently made the controversial decision to expand drone usage in the United States, primarily to aid police and first responders. However, privacy advocates are concerned about the extensive surveillance data the unmanned flights could gather in the process.
(Source: Politicker)
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One Response
Isn’t this under the jurisdiction of the FAA? And since when could a state restriction have an authority over the FBI or any other federal agency? And what if New York bans drones and New Jersey doesn’t, and a New Jersey drone flies over New York airspace?
It’s “grandstanding” for a state legislator to propose laws on something that is under exclusive federal control.