Defense Against Drones Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-1907
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]
Introduced: 2025-03-06
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Latest action: action_date: 2025-03-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-03-06
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Defense Against Drones Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill allows an individual to shoot an unmanned aircraft (i.e., drone) using a legally obtained shotgun if the individual reasonably believes the drone is flying not more than 200 feet above the individual's property. This is subject to applicable state law on the discharge of a firearm.</p><p>Not later than 60 days after an event in which an individual shoots a drone and is able to identify its registration number, the individual must report  the event's location and the registration number to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). </p><p>An individual may, but shall not be required to, return the drone to the owner at the owner's request.</p><p>The FAA must issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this bill.</p>

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1907 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 6, 2025 Mr. Burchett introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To allow an individual to shoot an unmanned aircraft flying over property owned by the individual under certain circumstances, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Defense Against Drones Act of 2025 . 2. Protection of private property from unmanned aircraft (a) In general Chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 44815. Protection of private property from unmanned aircraft (a) In general Subject to applicable State law relating to the discharge of a firearm, an individual may shoot an unmanned aircraft using a legally obtained shotgun if the individual reasonably believes that such aircraft is flying not more than 200 feet above property owned by the individual. (b) Return of aircraft An individual may, but shall not be required to, return an unmanned aircraft shot down under subsection (a) to the owner of such aircraft upon request by such owner. (c) Reporting Not later than 60 days after an event in which an individual shoots an unmanned aircraft under subsection (a) and is able to identify the registration number of such aircraft, the individual shall report to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration— (1) the address at which such event occurred; and (2) such registration number. (d) Regulations The Administrator shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section. (e) Definition of shotgun In this section, the term shotgun has the meaning given such term in section 921 of title 18, United States Code. (f) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt or otherwise have any effect on any State law relating to tort liability or criminal liability for an action taken under subsection (a). . (b) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 448 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 44815. Protection of private property from unmanned aircraft. .