# US Government to demand registration of RC Quad-copters **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 20, 2015, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217 "2015-10-20T05:26:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/21 "2015-10-20T17:50:37Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Now with lightweight motors and batteries they have a very long range, cameras, and\*\* could easily carry enough explosives or other weaponry to kill someone\*\*. You actually think registering these stupid things is going to deter someone from doing what you imply? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/22 "2015-10-20T17:53:40Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > You actually think registering these stupid things is going to deter someone from doing what you imply? No, I didn’t mean to imply that. It’s just a reason we should have been looking more closely at the problem before now. And there’s not much we can do to prevent that scenario. Registration, and even licensing may deter the random nutjob from killing someone too easily, but regulation will barely slow down a determined criminal. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/23 "2015-10-20T17:55:00Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > “Children”? Seriously? I guess you’re right. Since all children born in the US are required to get a social security number if you want to get a tax deduction for them, most of them are registered in that way. So it’s primarily the nuisance children brought into the country by immigrants that are unregistered. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/24 "2015-10-20T17:55:15Z")
I say we enact a law that you can take down any drone you can with any legal means you can and not be liable for damages. Let the free market/ wild west decide. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/25 "2015-10-20T17:56:39Z")
I have an $60 quad-copter with a camera. As bad as can be. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/26 "2015-10-20T18:15:07Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > During the fire along I15 between LA and Las Vegas firefighting activities had to be suspended for 15 minutes during a crucial time because of a drone. Plenty of pilots have reported seeing them too close. I don’t know how one would restrict them electronically around a fire. > Besides registration, which would at least make people careful, especially after some clown to risked the lives of others with his drone gets thrown in the slammer, I’ve hear of immunity for firefighters and others who damage interfering drones, and some work on being able to track where the control of a drone comes from. > Maybe someone can come up with heat seeking anti-drone missiles. I’m not sure of the best way to restrict them electronically, but one simple option would be a command build into the system that says “If you pick up this signal, reverse direction” or “land immediately.” Something like that would be portable and you could control the range of each transmitter, and the shape of the covered area with multiple transmitters. This would do little to stop terrorists or criminals who want to circumvent the system (not that registration would be any more effective on them), but it would at least prevent casual users who don’t understand the problem they’re causing. Plus, anything that is flying in that zone would stand out as being illegally modified and you could shoot them down without feeling bad. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/27 "2015-10-20T18:17:17Z")
I’d think it would be easy enough to mandate that they only send signals on some specific reserved frequencies, and then in the case of airports, disasters, etc… have portable transmitters that would jam those frequencies. Or, possibly some kind of broadcast kill-switch message that the govt. could broadcast in a limited range if a drone was seen. But registration is kind of absurd. What is that going to accomplish? Once one gets sucked into a jet intake, they _might_ be able to find a serial number on what shoots out the other side, and put some poor knucklehead who got it for Christmas in jail for 40 years? Small comfort to the airline and passengers, who at best, incurred a maintenance bill in the thousands of dollars, and at worst, experienced a fiery crash. The only way I could see this making any kind of sense is if the registration has a hefty fee associated with it, and the goal is to limit drones to commercial operators and hobbyists wealthy enough to afford registration, and hopefully responsible enough not to fly the things around disasters or airports. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/28 "2015-10-20T18:28:14Z")
I feel the same way about golf balls. I don’t like golf so any restrictions on golf balls is fine with me. Those things are dangerous. Ever get hit by one just walking by an golf course. Damn things need regulating… ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/29 "2015-10-20T19:10:23Z")
> [@bump](#): > > But registration is kind of absurd. What is that going to accomplish? Once one gets sucked into a jet intake, they _might_ be able to find a serial number on what shoots out the other side, and put some poor knucklehead who got it for Christmas in jail for 40 years? Small comfort to the airline and passengers, who at best, incurred a maintenance bill in the thousands of dollars, and at worst, experienced a fiery crash. It will make some people think twice about flying in restricted areas. Also, if something happens with an unidentifiable drone they can still go check all the people in the area with a registered drone. It will help rational people avoid doing something stupid, but that’s about it. If this had been a few years ago it might have made these things a little less popular and available. A little less. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/30 "2015-10-20T20:35:58Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > I’m not sure of the best way to restrict them electronically, but one simple option would be a command build into the system that says “If you pick up this signal, reverse direction” or “land immediately.” Something like that would be portable and you could control the range of each transmitter, and the shape of the covered area with multiple transmitters. > > This would do little to stop terrorists or criminals who want to circumvent the system (not that registration would be any more effective on them), but it would at least prevent casual users who don’t understand the problem they’re causing. Plus, anything that is flying in that zone would stand out as being illegally modified and you could shoot them down without feeling bad. I’d worry about people hacking the signal to make them land where they are not supposed to. And while shooting down drones is tempting, it would be kind of bad around an airport or sports arena, and tough in a fire area. Plus, who is liable if it falls and bonks someone? How about forcing the remote control unit to have a GPS and broadcast its location along with the control signal. Then one could trace back an annoying drone pilot and “boot to the head” with him. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/31 "2015-10-20T21:51:34Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > I’d worry about people hacking the signal to make them land where they are not supposed to. And while shooting down drones is tempting, it would be kind of bad around an airport or sports arena, and tough in a fire area. Plus, who is liable if it falls and bonks someone? > How about forcing the remote control unit to have a GPS and broadcast its location along with the control signal. Then one could trace back an annoying drone pilot and “boot to the head” with him. GPS could be a good system. Having the drones transmit something would be useful in a lot of ways; you could then find them even if they’re hidden in smoke or fog. Maybe allow a civilian version so that the general populace could feel less vulnerable to being spied on. I’m not really in love with any particular system, I just don’t see registration as being useful. It creates the illusion of the government working hard to make the world a better place, but I don’t think it will actually create safer conditions. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/32 "2015-10-20T22:02:30Z")
So what’s the enforcement? LEO’s patrolling parks and fields asking hobbyist’s for their registration papers? Seem’s like good use of our law enforcement manpower. Can’t have thug nerds flying their unlawful toys around. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/33 "2015-10-20T22:03:30Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > It creates the illusion of the government working hard to make the world a better place, but I don’t think it will actually create safer conditions. Sounds like the TSA. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/34 "2015-10-20T22:09:45Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > So what’s the enforcement? LEO’s patrolling parks and fields asking hobbyist’s for their registration papers? Seem’s like good use of our law enforcement manpower. Can’t have thug nerds flying their unlawful toys around. Maybe no-fly zones at military installations and airports. Otherwise, local ordinances enforced by police. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/35 "2015-10-20T22:12:24Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > So what’s the enforcement? LEO’s patrolling parks and fields asking hobbyist’s for their registration papers? Seem’s like good use of our law enforcement manpower. Can’t have thug nerds flying their unlawful toys around. When some idiot loses control and flies his drone through the windshield of your car (when you are not driving it, I hope) wouldn’t you like to be able to track him down? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/36 "2015-10-20T22:15:45Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > I’m not really in love with any particular system, I just don’t see registration as being useful. It creates the illusion of the government working hard to make the world a better place, but I don’t think it will actually create safer conditions. Me neither. GPS was off the top of my head. But registration is pretty cheap to implement. And it should increase responsibility, since someone flying a drone where it shouldn’t be flown will know there is some chance of being caught. I think they are expecting 100,000 drones to be sold at Christmas. This is going to be chaos if something isn’t done. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/37 "2015-10-20T22:17:30Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > I guess you’re right. Since all children born in the US are required to get a social security number if you want to get a tax deduction for them, most of them are registered in that way. So it’s primarily the nuisance children brought into the country by immigrants that are unregistered. Plus they’re a bloody nuisance when they get sucked into aircraft engines. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/38 "2015-10-21T00:38:04Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > Plus they’re a bloody nuisance when they get sucked into aircraft engines. Well, that was graphic. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2015, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/39 "2015-10-21T05:27:25Z")
Interesting. You have to register and show identification for your quad copter but you dont have to register or show ID to vote? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2015, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217/40 "2015-10-21T08:35:12Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Interesting. > > You have to register and show identification for your quad copter but you dont have to register or show ID to vote? Voting doesn’t have the potential of bringing down a jet airliner. Who says you don’t have to register to vote? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-government-to-demand-registration-of-rc-quad-copters/735217.md?page=3)