Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Creates fourth degree crime of operating drone equipped with weapon.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning unmanned aerial vehicles 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 aerial vehicle" means 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 as defined in this section.
"Surveillance" means the act of monitoring, observing, photographing, or recording.
b. A person who operates a civilian unmanned aerial vehicle 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.
In addition, under the bill, "anti-personnel device" means a firearm, a prohibited weapon or device, or any other projectile designed to harm, incapacitate, or otherwise negatively impact a human being.