California Law Would Allow Authorities to Take Down Drones

California Assemblyman Mike Gatto and Sen. Ted Gaines announced a bill that would allow first responders to jam, hack or otherwise take down drones "in the course of firefighting, air ambulance, or search-and-rescue operations."

"Drone operators are risking lives when they fly over an emergency situation," Gatto, who represents Glendale and northeast L.A., said. "The legislature needs to send a signal that our society simply won’t put up with this nonsense. It's very frustrating to see drone operators once again disrupt firefighting efforts in the Cajon Pass."

Gatto and Gaines are also behind a bill that would increase fines and open up possible jail time for idiots that fly drones over active fires, said the LA Weekly.

Their latest legislation, however, favors "jamming" or hacking technology that could disable drones that interfere with emergency situations. But a spokesman for Gatto said that, under the proposed language, the devices could be taken down via non-lethal weapons such as beanbag rounds, said the LA Weekly.

As written, the law would not allow cops to try to block drones from observing controversial police situations, the article said.

Gatto said that "preventing our first responders from being held liable for responsibly destroying a drone flown over an emergency site will keep Californians safe."