After the video of a gun attached to a drone firing rounds in a park in Clinton was viewed by over two million people, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has decided to revisit its recently released proposal governing drones for commercial and non-commercial purposes.

The video called 'Flying Gun' on YouTube was made by 18-year-old Austin Haughwout, a mechanical engineering student at Central Connecticut State University.  Although the gunshots did not injure anyone, the FAA and the police are reportedly investigating the video.

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The FAA and federal law agencies have said that the popular video may have not violated any laws. However, investigators are yet to confirm that.

"We are attempting to determine if any laws have been violated at this point. It would seem to the average person, there should be something prohibiting a person from attaching a weapon to a drone. At this point, we can't find anything that's been violated," said Clinton Police Chief Todd Lawrie. "The legislature in Connecticut [recently] addressed a number of questions with drones, mostly around how law enforcement was going to use drones. It is a gray area, and it's caught the legislature flatfooted. It appears to be a case of technology surpassing current legislation."

Drones with missiles are commonly used in U.S. strikes against terrorists overseas. Some say the program has loose oversight and too many civilian casualties. Until now, U.S. law enforcement agencies have not had to deal with armed drones. But there have been issues with unarmed drones flying elsewhere; from over the White House to into the middle of wildfires.

California firefighters recently complained that drones near wildfires can prevent helicopters from dropping water.

In response, two California lawmakers have introduced legislation on Monday that would allow firefighters to use "jamming" technology to down drones. The proposal would protect firefighters in cases where they damage drones. It also proposes jail time for drone operators who interfere with the work of firefighters.

 

TagsFederal Aviation Administration (FAA), Flying Gun, Austin Haughwout, California Drones Firefigthers