Clusters of unknown drones hovering in the night skies over New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York have raised concerns among residents, upset lawmakers, and even led to calls for a state of emergency in New Jersey.

Many people in the tristate region are left wondering what actions they can take.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy stated that the recent drone sightings are currently being investigated. He held a briefing call with Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, on Wednesday.

At a congressional hearing this week, Robert W. Wheeler Jr., assistant director for the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group, revealed that investigators still do not have an explanation for the drone sightings. Some of these drones have been seen flying over sensitive locations like military bases and President-elect Donald Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

“Is the public in danger?” inquired Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, who led the hearing. “Do we have concerns about potential malicious intent that could lead to a security or public safety incident?”

“There’s nothing that suggests a risk at this moment,” Wheeler concluded. “However, we simply do not have answers, which is what makes it concerning.”

New Jersey state senator Jon Bramnick has proposed declaring a limited state of emergency that would prohibit all drone activity “until there’s an explanation regarding these multiple sightings.”

Officials from Morris County, New Jersey, have sent a letter to federal agencies regarding the drone sightings. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has temporarily restricted drone flights over locations like the Picatinny Arsenal Army base and Trump’s golf club.

Authorities are actively gathering information about the drone sightings and are encouraging witnesses to report any details by calling the FBI hotline at 1-800-225-5324 or visiting the agency’s website.

New Jersey’s State of Emergency: Is It Legal to Shoot Down a Drone?

As concerns grow over the mystery drones, which appear to be larger than typical hobby drones, residents are questioning if they can take matters into their own hands and shoot them down.

This issue is becoming more relevant as the use of drones for various purposes increases. As of October 1, 791,597 drones were officially registered in the United States, according to the FAA, and there may be many more unregistered ones in use.

The answer to whether you can shoot down a drone is a straightforward no.

The FAA has made it clear that firing at any aircraft, including drones, is unlawful.

Only law enforcement agencies have the authority to take action against drones, clarified Ryan Calo, a law professor specializing in robotics at the University of Washington.

Why Do Some People Shoot at Drones?

Shooting a drone is considered a federal offense, and the penalties can differ from state to state.

This action may be hazardous as well. If a drone were to crash, it could harm people or damage property below, or it could collide with other airborne objects. Furthermore, one could be held liable for civil damages, according to Calo.

However, despite the risks and legal implications, some individuals have attempted to shoot down drones.

A retired fire captain from New Jersey was recently charged after shooting at a drone that was flying above his Florida home, believing it was spying on him. The drone turned out to be a Walmart delivery drone.

While shooting down drones is not the only option for neutralizing them, alternative methods include using nets or disrupting the drone’s communication signals.

Some governments globally are training eagles to intercept drones, while some aggressive birds are known to attack drones that encroach on their territory.

This article discusses ways to address drones and their impact on swimmers in distress.

What can you do to prevent drones from hovering over your property?

According to the FAA, homeowners do not have the authority to regulate the airspace above their properties, even if a drone is present.

If you encounter a drone that you want to remove, you have options. One is to hire a specialized drone removal service that can use nets and similar tools to capture the drone safely, though this can be costly. Alternatively, you can submit a complaint to the FAA online, or you may notify the police.

“If the drone seems to be observing you or makes you feel threatened, it’s perfectly reasonable to contact the FAA or your local law enforcement,” advised Calo.