Last week, a Florida Man admitted to shooting down a Walmart drone, according to local law enforcement officials.
This incident highlights an ongoing issue where gun owners have been targeting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), despite federal regulations prohibiting such actions.
Decade-Long Issue of Drone Shootings
For over a decade, gun owners in the United States have been shooting at UAVs, violating federal laws in the process. As retailers increasingly adopt drone technology for deliveries, the potential for armed Americans to disrupt these operations poses a significant challenge.
Technological and Regulatory Hurdles
Retailers have navigated a myriad of technological, regulatory, and commercial challenges to offer drone deliveries. However, the unpredictable actions of some gun owners remain a particularly difficult obstacle.
Recent Incident in Florida
In the latest incident, “Florida Man” Dennis Winn from Lake County, Florida, admitted to shooting a Walmart drone with a 9mm pistol. According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Winn claimed he had experienced drones flying over his property before and believed this particular drone was surveilling him. The arrest affidavit detailed that Winn retrieved his gun from a safe, went outside, and fired a single shot at the drone, which was approximately 75 feet in the air.
Law Enforcement Response
Upon being informed that he had hit a Walmart drone, Winn expressed disbelief, questioning, “Really?” The Sheriff’s deputy noted a bullet hole in the drone’s payload area after it returned to a nearby Walmart. Winn was taken into custody and faces three charges, including “shooting at an aircraft.”
Federal Regulations and Consequences
Shooting at UAVs is a serious offense under federal law, equated with sabotaging any commercial aircraft, whether a small drone or a large passenger jet. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has maintained since 2016 that such actions are felonies, punishable by fines and up to 20 years in prison. Despite this, some individuals remain unaware of the legal consequences. The FAA has only recently begun allowing unmanned commercial aircraft to fly beyond the operator’s direct line of sight.
Notable Incidents and Growing Trend
In the past two years, incidents of drones being targeted by gunfire have been reported in North Carolina, Florida, and California. Some of these drones belonged to law enforcement agencies, highlighting the severity and scope of the issue.
Increasing Use of Drones by Retailers
With the growing use of drones by retailers, the risk of disruptions by armed individuals is a rising concern. Two years ago, during Amazon’s drone delivery test in California, a local archery shop owner joked about using the drones for “target practice.” Walmart, which has conducted over 20,000 safe deliveries in its test markets, aims to expand its drone delivery operations significantly, aspiring to have the largest drone delivery footprint of any US retailer.
Expanding Drone Delivery Services
Walmart is not alone in this endeavor. Earlier this year, DoorDash initiated a drone delivery test with a Wendy’s restaurant in Virginia, and several Chick-fil-A locations have experimented with the technology in recent years. As more companies explore drone deliveries, the potential for conflict with armed citizens remains a concern.
Future of Drone Deliveries
The hope is that as drone deliveries become more common, the novelty—and consequently the instances of them being shot at—will diminish. However, until then, retailers and regulatory bodies must continue to address and mitigate these risks to ensure the safe and efficient operation of drone delivery services.
