Tennessee, a state whose legislature is seeking to ban any federal legislation that would ban guns, is not nearly as lenient when drones are involved.
Representative Daniel Byrd, Republican of Waynseboro, is filing legislation that would prohibit anyone other law enforcement from equipping a drone with a gun.
The Tennessean reports that the bill was prompted by concerns from the Tennesee Titans.
Here is Representative Byrd’s bill in its entirety:
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 9,relative to unmanned aircraft.BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE: SECTION 1.Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 9, is amended by adding the following language as a new section:(a) It is an offense for any person, other than a state, federal, or local law enforcement agency, to knowingly attach or affix a weapon to an unmanned aircraft or to use an unmanned aircraft that the person knows has a weapon attached or affixed to it.(b) A violation of this section is a Class E felony. SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39 – 13 – 901, is amended by adding the following language as a new subdivision:(3) “Weapon” means a firearm, as defined in § 39 – 11 – 106, or an explosive weapon, as defined in §39 – 17 – 1301;SECTION 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2016, the public welfare requiring it.
Frank Schroth is editor in chief of DroneLife, the authoritative source for news and analysis on the drone industry: it’s people, products, trends, and events.
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