{"id":1498,"date":"2013-09-05T10:00:05","date_gmt":"2013-09-05T14:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mysecuritysign.com\/blog\/?p=1498"},"modified":"2023-08-24T06:13:21","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T10:13:21","slug":"drone-hunting-ordinance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysecuritysign.com/blog\/drone-hunting-ordinance\/","title":{"rendered":"World\u2019s first drone hunting ordinance gears up for approval"},"content":{"rendered":"

A sleepy town in Colorado is considering a proposal to make itself the national hotspot for people protesting against government surveillance. Deer Trail\u2019s tiny population of 550 will be voting on October 8 on whether or not to issue permits for drone hunting\u2013 this would attract gun enthusiasts from afar and increase revenues for the town.<\/p>\n

Symbolic protest<\/h2>\n
\"drone<\/a>

An unmanned drone used to patrol the US-Canadian border. Image by Sam Churchill.<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

ABC 7 News reports that the idea of hunting the federal’s government drones began as one man’s symbolic protest against a surveillance society. Phillip Steel, a traveling structural inspector, who did not favor the domestic spying efforts of the NSA, thought of the idea.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are not big drones you see on TV that look like airplanes. These are little 55-pound things that can come right down into your land,” he says<\/a>. \u201cRight now we don\u2019t have drones flying<\/a> in our skies. We want to keep it that way\u2026 If you don\u2019t want your drone to go down, don\u2019t fly in town.”<\/p>\n

The town plans to issue drone hunting licenses without a background investigation, and on an anonymous basis. Applications will have to be filled out online, and applicants should be at least 21 years old and be able to read and understand English.<\/p>\n

Those interested will have to dish out $25 for the licenses, valid for a year. In return, the town would offer a $100 bounty reward for shooters who bring in debris from an unmanned aircraft from the U.S. government. Steel says, \u201cThe license will \u201csell like hot cakes and it could be a huge money maker for the town.\u201d Already, 150 people<\/a> have signed up to buy the licenses.<\/p>\n

Still, opinions<\/a> regarding this scheme vary in Deer Trail, supposedly home to the world\u2019s oldest rodeo. According to Harry Venter, editor of the weekly Tri-County Tribune, \u201cthe proposal sends the message that Deer Trail disapproves of the military, not domestic surveillance.\u201d Carl Miron, the owner of the town\u2019s only bar, says, \u201cI don’t like the fact that the government can sit and spy on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Government issues warning<\/h2>\n
\"drone<\/a>

A drone protest. Image by Debra Sweet.<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

What has the government got to say about the plan? The Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates airspace<\/a>, has already issued a strict warning<\/a>: \u201cShooting at an unmanned aircraft could result in criminal or civil liability, just as would firing at a manned airplane.\u201d Steel retorts, “Is it illegal<\/a>? Of course it is. But it’s also illegal to spy on American citizens.” However, he also adds, \u201cIn all practicality, nobody<\/a> is going to shoot down any drones any time soon.”<\/p>\n

States are exploring ways to address privacy issues raised by drone critics. Many legislatures are proposing that police get warrants<\/a> before using drones to place people under surveillance.<\/p>\n

Such measures are necessary as drones gain popularity. According to industry predictions, drone sales will increase exponentially as more countries<\/a> embrace their use. Israel is a major exporter of drones and the year\u2019s end might see the Middle East surpassing the U.S. in international drone sales.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, the industry\u2019s challenge to expand beyond defense was evident recently as more than a dozen demonstrators gathered outside a three-day drone exhibition<\/a> at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in Washington D.C., on August 13.<\/p>\n

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