What's New
Experts and federal agencies investigating the mystery drone sightings warn that shooting the aircraft out of the sky could cause far more harm than good.
The comments follow suggestions by President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican lawmakers that the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) spotted in Northeastern states should be taken out amid mounting public concern.
Rick Smith, chief executive of anti-drone defense technology company Axon, told CNN that shooting at drones could turn them into "missiles," causing injury or property damage.
Newsweek has contacted the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The uptick in mystery drone sightings has stirred fears about security threats and speculation of foreign involvement.
But attempting to shoot one down comes with immense risk, including misidentifying a drone for a plane, causing uncontrolled crashes, or interfering with drones which belong to the military, law enforcement, or emergency services.
What to Know
Since mid-November, reports of drones have surfaced in northeastern states including New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, some near sensitive locations like military bases.
Some politicians, including President-elect Donald Trump, and local residents have called for drones to be shot down to stop potential threats. However, the FBI warns that such actions would be illegal and could pose safety risks.
Smith said: "While I understand the frustration that mystery drones may cause, taking matters into private hands by firing at drones creates significant dangers.
"People on the ground may not know which drones are authorized, such as first responder drones operated by local police or even delivery drones from companies like Amazon," he said. "Without proper identification systems, the potential for chaos is enormous."
In a statement Monday, the FBI urged the public not to shoot at drones, saying it has been "using every available tool and piece of equipment to find the answers the public is seeking. However, there could be dangerous and possibly deadly consequences if manned aircraft are targeted mistakenly as UAS."
What People Are Saying
John Kirby, White House National Security Council Coordinator, on Fox News: "[Military base commanders] have the authorities they need to defend themselves, but the sense that you have to shoot everything down doesn't comport with reality."
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene on Truth Social: "I'll shoot the drones down myself along with every other red-blooded freedom-loving American!"
Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder, in a briefing: "Flying drones is not illegal... As a result, it's not that unusual to see drones in the sky, nor is it an indication of malicious activity."
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, on X: "What is our government hiding about these drones? SHOOT THEM DOWN!"
What Happens Next
As speculation builds, federal agencies will continue to investigate the sightings, urging caution from the public.
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