Florida’s Bill Would Let Residents Use “Reasonable Force” Against Drones

Florida’s new drone bill would allow homeowners to use “reasonable force” against unwanted aerial intruders, but it could potentially set up a clash with federal aviation laws.

Key Takeaways

Florida Senate bill would allow property owners to use “reasonable force” against drones flying under 500 feet over their property.
The legislation expands no-fly zones to include airports, prisons, refineries, and gas pipelines.
Federal law explicitly prohibits shooting down any aircraft, including drones, with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
The bill’s lack of clarity on what constitutes “reasonable force” has sparked questions over the safety and legal implications.
If passed, the new regulations would take effect in October 2025.

Property Rights vs. Federal Authority

A bill moving through Florida’s Senate would grant homeowners the right to take action against drones hovering over their property. Sponsored by state Senator Keith L. Truenow, the legislation specifically permits property owners to use “reasonable force” against unmanned aircraft systems flying below 500 feet over their land. The bill has already progressed through multiple committees and now awaits a full Senate vote, potentially becoming law as early as October 2025.

The proposed legislation significantly expands drone restrictions by redefining no-fly zones to cover airports, prisons, inland ports, refineries, and gas pipelines. Law enforcement would be exempt from these restrictions when monitoring crowds. The bill also strengthens penalties for operating drones near critical infrastructure and explicitly prohibits drones from carrying weapons of mass destruction or hoax WMDs.

Legal Conflicts and Safety Concerns

Recent reports have made note of the measure’s vague definition of “reasonable force.” Florida state Sen. Jason Pizzo has expressed significant concerns about potential misinterpretations, noting during discussions that some might believe they could shoot down drones. This directly conflicts with federal regulations, as the Federal Aviation Administration classifies drones as aircraft, making it illegal to shoot them down under any circumstances.

“Last committee stop, there was mention that ‘reasonable force’ might include shooting it down. And I think a number of us have had some drone issues. I had one here a couple years ago, right on the balcony… But I don’t want anyone under the notion that they can go and just shoot things down from the air, which is actually punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison,” Pizzo said.

The FAA has repeatedly warned against interfering with drones, citing serious safety risks. With nearly 800,000 drones registered nationwide and over a million active users, the potential for dangerous incidents is significant. Current Florida law already prohibits private drone operators from spying on or recording people in their homes, with the new bill increasing this penalty to a first-degree misdemeanor.

Florida bill would let homeowners use "reasonable force" against drones https://t.co/5jrmLUQ2kd

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Federal Warnings Against Drone Interference

The FAA has issued clear warnings about the dangers of shooting at unmanned aircraft. The agency emphasizes that drones damaged by gunfire could crash and cause injury to people or property on the ground, or potentially collide with other aircraft. These safety concerns form the basis for federal prohibitions against interfering with any aircraft, including drones.

The proposed Florida legislation appears to be partly motivated by increased sightings of drones across the state and public frustration with federal responses to these incidents.

Looking Forward

If passed, this legislation would take effect in October 2025. The FAA has not yet commented specifically on the pending Florida legislation, but their existing guidelines make their position clear. Property owners who attempt to shoot down or otherwise damage drones could face both civil penalties from the FAA and criminal charges from federal, state, or local law enforcement.

The Florida bill represents one of the more aggressive attempts by a state to address the privacy concerns of its citizens, but it’s unclear how the “reasonable force” provision will hold up under broader legal scrutiny.