The U.S. House of Representatives has approved Safer Skies Act 2025 legislation allowing state and local law enforcement to disable drones at sporting events. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where a vote could take place as early as this week.
The bill widens the scope of local police departments to mitigate drone threats at sporting events and provides with the financial resources to invest in the appropriate technology.
“Providing law enforcement the tools they need to counter emerging drone threats is essential to public safety. Passage of the Safer Skies Act and the Drone Act are critical steps toward that goal. The Safer Skies Act equips local law enforcement with the technology necessary to stop malicious drone activity, while the Drone Act provides access to federal funding to acquire that technology and other vital drone-response equipment. I am grateful for the bipartisan work on this major law enforcement priority,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.
According to ESPN: “The measure comes as the United States prepares to host several major global events, including the FIFA World Cup and the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations next summer….At present, only a small number of major events such as the Super Bowl and the World Cup Final have federal officials on site with authority to disable unauthorised drones. Most major sporting events, including World Cup matches and thousands of NFL and MLB games, do not have personnel legally empowered to rapidly neutralise a drone threat. The new legislation would allow state and local law enforcement to receive the same training as federal agents and operate on site at large-scale sporting events.”
For more information
https://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/story/_/id/47266975/us-house-passes-bill-help-stadiums-combat-drones
(Image: Shutterstock)
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