Fact Check: Louisiana Law Empowers Officers to Use Kinetic Technologies Against Drones
What We Know
On October 19, 2023, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed the "We Will Act" Act into law, making Louisiana the first state to authorize local law enforcement to actively intercept and disable drones that pose credible threats to public safety. This legislation allows specially trained officers to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic technologies to neutralize unmanned aerial systems operating unlawfully near sensitive areas such as schools, public events, and critical infrastructure (source-1, source-6). The law includes strict penalties for violators, which can include fines of up to $5,000 and up to one year in jail (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that Louisiana law empowers officers to use kinetic technologies against drones is substantiated by the text of the new law and various reports on its implications. The law explicitly states that law enforcement can use kinetic methods, which typically involve physical force or projectiles to disable drones, as well as non-kinetic methods, which may include electronic countermeasures (source-1, source-8).
The credibility of the sources reporting on this law is high, as they include official statements from the Governor's office and reputable news outlets that cover legislative developments. For instance, the Louisiana Farm Bureau News and WWL-TV provide detailed coverage of the law's provisions and implications.
Critically, the law's implementation raises questions about the potential for misuse and the ethical implications of allowing law enforcement to disable drones, particularly in populated areas. However, the immediate claim regarding the empowerment of officers under this law is accurate.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Louisiana law empowers officers to use kinetic technologies against drones is confirmed by the text of the legislation and multiple credible sources. The law explicitly grants law enforcement the authority to utilize both kinetic and non-kinetic methods to address unlawful drone operations, marking a significant shift in state-level drone policy.
