Shooting down drones over private property

[Soclydeza]

My wife and I just moved into PA 2 months ago. Twice I've noticed drones buzzing around the area, one sweeping right over my property and kind of hanging around. I figured it was just one of my 2 neighbors playing around with their drone and didn't think much of it as this normally wouldn't bother me (I haven't met them yet to ask them). My wife was reading reports from people saying that a lot of times would-be burglars will use drones to scope out someone's property to see what they have, sometimes even going right up to the window to look inside. I did some digging on this topic and found that there are quite a few instances reported across the country of people using drones for this and other scandalous reasons (peeping tom). I figure the first step is to ask my neighbors if it's been them just playing around with their drones (my area is somewhat spread-out, if it's not one of them then somebody has to be trespassing on someones's property to fly a drone within range) and if it's not then I'll just shoot the damn thing down with an airsoft or 22 if I see it again.

The problem is, I've been reading about people who have done this (in other states) and they get themselves into all kinds of legal trouble as it is technically "legal" to fly drones on other peoples' properties, so long as it doesn't land or otherwise interact with anything on the property. I then read about PA specifically, where it says it is not legal to fly a drone over private property. I did a search on this forum and can't find anything about it, but I figure someone here has to have some knowledge about this. So: is it legal to fly drones over private property and is it legal for me to shoot one down if it starts meddling around mine? For reference, I'm in Roseto, Northampton County.

[unclejumbo]

My wife and I just moved into PA 2 months ago. Twice I've noticed drones buzzing around the area, one sweeping right over my property and kind of hanging around. I figured it was just one of my 2 neighbors playing around with their drone and didn't think much of it as this normally wouldn't bother me (I haven't met them yet to ask them). My wife was reading reports from people saying that a lot of times would-be burglars will use drones to scope out someone's property to see what they have, sometimes even going right up to the window to look inside. I did some digging on this topic and found that there are quite a few instances reported across the country of people using drones for this and other scandalous reasons (peeping tom). I figure the first step is to ask my neighbors if it's been them just playing around with their drones (my area is somewhat spread-out, if it's not one of them then somebody has to be trespassing on someones's property to fly a drone within range) and if it's not then I'll just shoot the damn thing down with an airsoft or 22 if I see it again.

The problem is, I've been reading about people who have done this (in other states) and they get themselves into all kinds of legal trouble as it is technically "legal" to fly drones on other peoples' properties, so long as it doesn't land or otherwise interact with anything on the property. I then read about PA specifically, where it says it is not legal to fly a drone over private property. I did a search on this forum and can't find anything about it, but I figure someone here has to have some knowledge about this. So: is it legal to fly drones over private property and is it legal for me to shoot one down if it starts meddling around mine? For reference, I'm in Roseto, Northampton County.

No, you can't shoot them down.

It's private property that belongs to another. At a minimum, it's criminal mischief to shoot it down and depending on the cost of the drone, could be at the misdemeanor level.

That's not to say a drone can't be misused which is also a crime but it still doesn't free you up to shoot it down.

[Hodgie]

Make sure you launch a clay pigeon directly in front of it 1st and yell Pull.


The guy above knows more about the law then me so take my advise or lack of it as a joke and nothing more. Personally if someone is spying on you or potentially spying on you directly over your property and you are in a zone where it's legal to discharge then I say game on but I guess the law says otherwise.

Your best bet is to speak with the neighbors 1st without mentioning guns or shooting it down, if it's not theirs then hit that local PD and talk to them and fill them in in the situation.

[bogey1]

If one is hovering right outside my window, game on. If one is flying past my house at a high altitude,
thats his right, just like a airplane.

[streaker69]

[Statkowski]

Shooting down a drone upsets some people. It's noisy, it's violent, and it's relatively easy to locate (and prosecute/persecute the shooter).

It is possible to build an EMP generator to deal with such. No noise, that's for sure.

[streaker69]

Shooting down a drone upsets some people. It's noisy, it's violent, and it's relatively easy to locate (and prosecute/persecute the shooter).

It is possible to build an EMP generator to deal with such. No noise, that's for sure.

Also illegal.

[frankski]

What's the law if the "invasive" drone happens to collide with another "friendly" (sacrificial) drone? Shit happens.

[bug]

What's the law if the "invasive" drone happens to collide with another "friendly" (sacrificial) drone? Shit happens.

"GAME DRONES". I love it...

[internet troll]

Also illegal.

Homeowner: Damn drones, time to build an emp generator space modulator.

Two days later:
Homeowner: AHA.... I’ve got you now drone, you came to close to my house. 3...2...1.... whoomp. Hahahahah.... I showed that drone a thing or two.

5 minutes later
Homeowner: hmmm why won’t my car start? Why isn’t my oven and dishwasher working. Let me look this up on my phone. Shoot, my phone doesn’t work. What can be happe....... oooohhhhhhhhh