Bill Text: NJ A2420 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Creates fourth degree crime of operating drone equipped with weapon.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee [A2420 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-A2420-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
Assemblyman JAY WEBBER
District 26 (Morris and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Creates fourth degree crime of operating drone equipped with weapon.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning unmanned aircraft systems 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 aircraft system" means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements, including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft that are required for the pilot in command to operate safely and efficiently. The term shall apply only to unmanned aircraft and associated elements owned or operated by a private individual or business entity.
"Operate" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 1 of P.L.2017, c.315 (C.2C:40-27).
"Unmanned aircraft" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 1 of P.L.2017, c.315 (C.2C:40-27).
b. A person who operates a civilian unmanned aircraft system 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 establishes as a fourth degree crime the operation of 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.
