# What the Defense Against Drones Act of 2025 Actually Does

This bill would allow homeowners to shoot down drones flying over their property using a shotgun, as long as they reasonably believe the drone is staying below 200 feet in the air. The key word here is "reasonably"—you'd need to have a legitimate reason to think the drone poses a problem, not just shoot at any aircraft that passes overhead. The bill only applies to legally obtained shotguns and still requires you to follow your state's laws about firing weapons, so it doesn't override local gun regulations or safety rules.

If you do shoot down a drone, you're not required to return it to the owner, even if they ask for it back. However, if you can identify the drone's registration number, you have 60 days to report the incident to the Federal Aviation Administration, including where it happened and the registration details. This reporting requirement helps the FAA track what's happening with drones across the country.

The bill includes an important protection for drone owners: it doesn't prevent them from suing you or pressing criminal charges if they believe you acted wrongfully. In other words, just because this bill says you can shoot down a drone doesn't mean you're automatically protected from legal consequences. State laws about property damage, reckless endangerment, or other liability still apply. The bill essentially says the federal government won't stop states from holding people accountable if they shoot down someone else's drone without good reason.

Defense Against Drones Act of 2025

Burchett, Tim

Defense Against Drones Act of 2025This bill allows an individual to shoot an unmanned aircraft (i.e., drone) using a legally obtained shotgun if the individual reasonably believes the drone is flying not more than 200 feet above the individual's property. This is subject to applicable state law on the discharge of a firearm.Not later than 60 days after an event in which an individual shoots a drone and is able to identify its registration number, the individual must report the event's location and the registration number to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). An individual may, but shall not be required to, return the drone to the owner at the owner's request.The FAA must issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this bill.