NJ residents threaten to deal with mystery drones themselves if the government doesnt act
New Jersey residents frustrated with a lack of answers regarding dozens of potential drone sightings in the skies above their homes are threatening to take action on their own if the government doesn’t start providing answers.James Ward, a Jersey Shore realtor, shared video on Facebook that he said showed “SUV-size drones” above Island Beach State Park taken Sunday.It’s difficult to judge their size in the clip, which showed a number of lights hovering in the sky.“Dozens of SUV-size drones in all directions,” the caption read.
“Emerging at same time and flying over the ocean and then heading in different directions – what do you think?”“Why hasn’t anyone shot one down to look for a serial number to trace it back to the operator?” another wrote.“I would think that could provide a clue.”“Semi auto 3 inch magnum 00 buck full choke!” yet another replied.Experts warn that it is typically illegal to shoot down a drone flying over a property.
The Federal Aviation Administration told Forbes in 2016 that shooting down a drone is illegal under the same federal law prohibiting the sabotage of any other aircraft.FAA regulations also prohibit the unsafe or unauthorized operation of an aircraft — manned or not.The talk of taking matters into their own hands came after Gov.Phil Murphy, a Democrat, and two Republican congressmen called on the federal government to shoot down any unidentified drones in the area.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been pressing investigators and regulators for answers for weeks.The source of the drones remains a mystery, and it’s not even clear that all of the flying objects are drones and not manned aircraft.Experts note that the navigation lights are a big hint that whoever’s flying them isn’t trying to keep them hidden.“Upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully,” White House National Security...