Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has signed into law a new measure that authorizes state and local law enforcement to actively intercept and disable drones that pose credible threats to public safety.
“The “We Will Act” Act marks the first time a state has granted its law enforcement agencies direct drone mitigation authority – a move typically reserved for federal entities,” said a press release from the Louisiana state governor. The law empowers specially trained officers to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic technologies to neutralize unmanned aerial systems operating unlawfully near high-risk areas such as schools, public events, and critical infrastructure.
“This law puts Louisiana on the front lines of drone defense,” said Governor Landry. “We are taking bold steps now to protect our people and our skies before tragedy strikes.”
The legislation includes strict penalties for violators, including fines of up to USD5,000, up to one year in jail, and mandatory forfeiture of the drone used in the offense.
“The bill comes amid rising national concern over unauthorized drone activity near sensitive locations – including military facilities and large public gatherings. Governor Landry and President Donald Trump publicly addressed the threat earlier this year during remarks at Mar-a-Lago. With this new law, Louisiana positions itself at the forefront of state-level drone policy, setting a precedent likely to influence future legislation nationwide.”
However, there are still major uncertainties over the overlapping responsibility between states and federal authorities for mitigating drone threats.
According to a January 2025 position paper from the Lawfare Institute: “There is a lack of clarity among state and local officials about their authority to engage drones in the national airspace, or whether that power lies exclusively with federal authorities. Confusion during a real threat from unmanned aircraft could lead to duplicative efforts, confusion, or interference between the various operations. Alternatively, cumbersome coordination among federal, state, and local officials may be too slow and fail to mount a response in time. “
For more information
https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/are-domestic-drone-shoot-downs-lawful
(Image: Office of the Governor of Louisiana)
