Kentucky Man shoots down drone with shotgun.

[Zeinbrad]

I thought this would be a good peaceful thing to discuss both guns in America and Drones. I understand this probably won't be a hot topic.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015 ... -backyard/
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... down-1800/
http://www.inquisitr.com/2297396/man-sh ... echnology/

So basically, a Kentucky man saw a Drone going around his neighborhood, didn't care until he noticed that it was hovering over his backyard were his daughter was sunbathing. So he shot the thing down with a shotgun (birdshot, which is not Buckshot and is harmless compared to buckshot). Then the owner and his buddies came over, asking if "he was the son of a bitch that shot down his done", the drone by the way costing $1800. Feeling threatened he pulled out a pistol and threatened to shot them if he went past the sidewalk.

He got arrested.

So NSG, was the man in his rights to shot down the drone and should it's owner be charged with invasion of privacy? I feel the man was within his rights, used reasonable force and the owner of the drone should be charged.

[Azenyanistan]

I thought this would be a good peaceful thing to discuss both guns in America and Drones. I understand this probably won't be a hot topic.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015 ... -backyard/
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... down-1800/
http://www.inquisitr.com/2297396/man-sh ... echnology/

So basically, a Kentucky man saw a Drone going around his neighborhood, didn't care until he noticed that it was hovering over his backyard were his daughter was sunbathing. So he shot the thing down with a shotgun (birdshot, which is not Buckshot and is harmless compared to buckshot). Then the owner and his buddies came over, asking if "he was the son of a bitch that shot down his done", the drone by the way costing $1800. Feeling threatened he pulled out a pistol and threatened to shot them if he went past the sidewalk.

He got arrested.

So NSG, was the man in his rights to shot down the drone and should it's owner be charged with invasion of privacy? I feel the man was within his rights, used reasonable force and the owner of the drone should be charged.

I agree with you

[Washington Resistance Army]

Hmm, I'm not really sure how I feel about that.

[Rhyfelnydd]

Unless the drone had a gun attached and was aiming it at the daughter, no, he could not have involved firearms in the situation. Now, if it had a camera on it and it was being used to film the daughter, yes he should have done something about it outside of turning it into a shooting issue. This is not a situation the required any type of gun.

[Zeinbrad]

Unless the drone had a gun attached and was aiming it at the daughter, no, he could not have involved firearms in the situation. Now, if it had a camera on it and it was being used to film the daughter, yes he should have done something about it outside of turning it into a shooting issue. This is not a situation the required any type of gun.

The drone was filming his daughter.

[Lockdownn]

Totally reasonable. People who use drones should keep it to public or their own property.

Unless the drone had a gun attached and was aiming it at the daughter, no, he could not have involved firearms in the situation. Now, if it had a camera on it and it was being used to film the daughter, yes he should have done something about it outside of turning it into a shooting issue. This is not a situation the required any type of gun.

Hmm, have they come out with drone catching nets or emp guns yet?

Now, if it had a camera on it and it was being used to film the daughter, yes he should have done something about it outside of turning it into a shooting issue. This is not a situation the required any type of gun.

How else would the person know where to fly?

[Sebtopiaris]

If you don't want your drone shot down, don't fly it over sunbathing women like a peeping fucking tom. Seems straightforward.

[Lockdownn]

If you don't want your drone shot down, don't fly it over sunbathing women like a peeping fucking tom. Seems straightforward.

This^

[Baxten]

If you don't want your drone shot down, don't fly it over sunbathing women like a peeping fucking tom. Seems straightforward.

Exactly.

[Hyfling]

Totally justified.

Drones are cool, using drones to perve on people? Not so much.

[The Republican United States]

If you don't want your drone shot down, don't fly it over sunbathing women like a peeping fucking tom. Seems straightforward.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Dooom35796821595]

The potential for drones to invade privacy is an important issue that needs to be addressed, however shooting down an expensive drone for being OVER your property, then pointing a handgun at the owners when they ask for it to be returned, threatening to shoot them if they return is exessive force. The man needs a psych evaluation and his firearm licence taken away. And probably a lawsuit considering it happened in America.

[Zeinbrad]

Totally justified.

Drones are cool, using drones to perve on people? Not so much.

What are laws on Drones anyway? If any.

[Rhyfelnydd]

Totally reasonable. People who use drones should keep it to public or their own property.

Unless the drone had a gun attached and was aiming it at the daughter, no, he could not have involved firearms in the situation. Now, if it had a camera on it and it was being used to film the daughter, yes he should have done something about it outside of turning it into a shooting issue. This is not a situation the required any type of gun.

Hmm, have they come out with drone catching nets or emp guns yet?

Now, if it had a camera on it and it was being used to film the daughter, yes he should have done something about it outside of turning it into a shooting issue. This is not a situation the required any type of gun.

How else would the person know where to fly?

Good point, should have realized that. Then I suppose I see where he is coming from. Don't know if I would have shot it down though, most likely would have just pulled the daughter inside and waved it away, if only to avoid creating an incident like what happened. If it continued to buzz around the property after I made it clear to fuck off, or if I caught it doing it again at a later date, then yeah, probably would shoot the damn thing down.

[Zeinbrad]

The potential for drones to invade privacy is an important issue that needs to be addressed, however shooting down an expensive drone for being OVER your property, then pointing a handgun at the owners when they ask for it to be returned, threatening to shoot them if they return is exessive force. The man needs a psych evaluation and his firearm licence taken away. And probably a lawsuit considering it happened in America.

I think that the drone owner knew his drone was destroyed, considered he said "are you the son of a bitch who shot down my drone" I would assume he knew it was done for.

I think he is going to court.

[Reploid Productions]

If you don't want your drone shot down, don't fly it over sunbathing women like a peeping fucking tom. Seems straightforward.

Or in the way of firefighting aircraft trying to drop on an active wildfire. We've had issues with that out here in Cali like 3 times in the past month or so.

Sounds like this is going to be a particularly interesting court case. If somebody was flying a camera-equipped drone over my family and I didn't know who was doing it, I'd probably take my dad's really old pellet gun and put a few brass balls into it, too. I mean, what good would calling the cops do? The drone could be gone by the time they show up, and the recreational/civilian ones don't generally have tail markings to help you ID the owner.

[Daynor]

I don't think he should go to jail for shooting down the drone. I do think based on the Times story that pulling a gun on the operators and theatening to shoot them too probably is where he screwed himself.

[Dooom35796821595]

The potential for drones to invade privacy is an important issue that needs to be addressed, however shooting down an expensive drone for being OVER your property, then pointing a handgun at the owners when they ask for it to be returned, threatening to shoot them if they return is exessive force. The man needs a psych evaluation and his firearm licence taken away. And probably a lawsuit considering it happened in America.

I think that the drone owner knew his drone was destroyed, considered he said "are you the son of a bitch who shot down my drone" I would assume he knew it was done for.

I think he is going to court.

I'd be more concerned over the guy pointing a sidearm at an apparently unarmed person. And shot down doesn't mean destroyed, it may still have salvageable parts or be repairable.

[New Chilokver]

From a purely legal point of view, is the airspace above one's house considered part of private property in America; and if so, to what altitude?

[Lockdownn]

The potential for drones to invade privacy is an important issue that needs to be addressed, however shooting down an expensive drone for being OVER your property, then pointing a handgun at the owners when they ask for it to be returned, threatening to shoot them if they return is exessive force. The man needs a psych evaluation and his firearm licence taken away. And probably a lawsuit considering it happened in America.

No, it was justified. A pervy pervster trying to spy on my possible kids? I'd of shot it down kept their crap and called the cops once the owner(s) arrive.

Good point, should have realized that. Then I suppose I see where he is coming from. Don't know if I would have shot it down though, most likely would have just pulled the daughter inside and waved it away, if only to avoid creating an incident like what happened. If it continued to buzz around the property after I made it clear to fuck off, or if I caught it doing it again at a later date, then yeah, probably would shoot the damn thing down.

I'd try a bb gun or something if it were in the city.

Or in the way of firefighting aircraft trying to drop on an active wildfire. We've had issues with that out here in Cali like 3 times in the past month or so.

Sounds like this is going to be a particularly interesting court case. If somebody was flying a camera-equipped drone over my family and I didn't know who was doing it, I'd probably take my dad's really old pellet gun and put a few brass balls into it, too. I mean, what good would calling the cops do? The drone could be gone by the time they show up, and the recreational/civilian ones don't generally have tail markings to help you ID the owner.

Looks like we need licenses nooooow*gunshot*

There should honestly be some sort of drone permit or license if people ain't gonna play nice with them.

[MERIZoC]

Fine to shoot the drone. Really not fine to threaten the owners with a gun.

[MERIZoC]

double post

[Rhyfelnydd]

From a purely legal point of view, is the airspace above one's house considered part of private property in America; and if so, to what altitude?

While a good question, the drone was filming the man's daughter so in this case that is more the issue. I know Voyeurism is only considered an offense in a few states, don't know it Kentucky is one of them.

[Lockdownn]

I don't think he should go to jail for shooting down the drone. I do think based on the Times story that pulling a gun on the operators and theatening to shoot them too probably is where he screwed himself.

It would have been exactly like a person looking into your kids' window, pulling a gun would be entirely justified.

Fine to shoot the drone. Really not fine to threaten the owners with a gun.

If perverts were looking through your window then you'd think differently.

[Yedmnrutika Gavr]

im not sure about this because in one foto i saw he was laying low in what looked to be a camoflauged area that he made for this purpose. those people have no human rights that infringe on his and vice versa. including his right to privacy on his own home within reason (hes not doing anything illegal and THEY arent police). i think the guys with the drone should go fly it at a park, not use it as a tool for invading their neighbors privacy and starting trouble. and yes they intended to start trouble, hence why they in their car and came over to his house trying to make MORE trouble instead of calling the police and why they had a camera attached to the drone. luckily this man did have a gun to defend his family and make them back off because they could have hurt him. things like this make me question my anti second amendment leanings. aaanyways, honestly there should be some laws maybe against this spying with drones and also to protect celebrities in hollywood who get spied on from a distance by paparazzi trying to make fast money off this.

tl;dr the ones flying a drone with a camera, over private property, in kentucky, should have expected this. and they should have called the police afterwards since he had a gun