Bill Text: NJ A1667 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Creates fourth degree crime of operating drone equipped with weapon.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-06-15 - Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading [A1667 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2022-A1667-Introduced.html

ASSEMBLY, No. 1667

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2022 SESSION

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  ANNETTE QUIJANO

District 20 (Union)

Assemblyman  DANIEL R. BENSON

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

Assemblyman  JAY WEBBER

District 26 (Essex, Morris and Passaic)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Creates fourth degree crime of operating drone equipped with weapon.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

  


An Act concerning unmanned aircraft systems and supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

1.      a.  As used in this section:

      "Anti-personnel device" means a firearm as defined in N.J.S.2C:39-1, any prohibited weapon or device under N.J.S.2C:39-3, or any other projectile designed to harm, incapacitate, or otherwise negatively impact a human being.

      "Civilian unmanned aircraft system" means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements, including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft that are required for the pilot in command to operate safely and efficiently.  The term shall apply only to unmanned aircraft and associated elements owned or operated by a private individual or business entity.

      "Operate" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 1 of P.L.2017, c.315 (C.2C:40-27).

      "Unmanned aircraft" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 1 of P.L.2017, c.315 (C.2C:40-27).

      b. A person who operates a civilian unmanned aircraft system that is equipped with an anti-personnel device shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill makes it a fourth degree crime to operate a drone that is equipped with a weapon.

     Specifically, under the provisions of this bill, a person who operates a civilian unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly referred to as a drone, that is equipped with an anti-personnel device is guilty of a fourth degree crime.

     A fourth degree crime is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

     The bill defines "civilian unmanned aerial vehicle" as an aerial vehicle owned or operated by a private individual or business entity that uses aerodynamic forces to propel the vehicle and does not carry a human operator, and which is capable of flying autonomously or being piloted remotely and conducting surveillance.

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