New shotgun shell being marketed for shooting down drones

[eddo36 16]

 

(RT) - Hobby drone usage is on the rise, with its privacy implications causing some discomfort. However, an ammunition company has apparently devised a solution: a shotgun shell marketed specifically to shoot down nosy camera drones right out of the sky.

 

The shells are given the name “Dronemunition†by their seller, Snake River Shooting Products. The packaging encourages buyers to “prepare for the drone apocalypse†with a subheading clarifying that they are referring to “the invasion of privacy†apocalypse that camera drones will bring.

 

The shells are 3-inches long and are full of #2 steel shot -- about .15 inches in diameter. The ammunition is relatively large, so firing it at a drone will smash it into a pile of useless metal and plastic.

 

What seems to make Dronemunition special is its “ferromagnetic payload†that would presumably go a step further in disabling the electronic components of a drone. On the other hand, it could just be an elaborate way of saying that the pellets are steel instead of lead.

 

“The product also generates a discussion on the growing drone market in general,†the website states. “Self defense applies whether it is a person based or machine based threat and is just as important as protecting your family!â€

 

Those using the Dronemunition for its intended purpose may end up having their privacy invaded by a much more menacing foe: the legal system. Shooting down drones that aren’t yours is a federal crime.

 

Some have had to learn this the hard way, such as a California man who was ordered to pay $850 in May for blasting a neighbor’s drone to bits with his shotgun. His presumably run-of-the-mill ammunition seemed to do the trick, begging that question about whether Dronemunition is worth buying at all.

 

Snake River seems to have already covered this with a seemingly paradoxical message: “DISCLAIMER: Federal, State, and Local laws dictate when, where, and in what situations a firearm can be legally discharged.  We are in no way condoning the use of this product for illegal activity!  Be sure to follow ALL firearm laws at all times!â€

[seldom_seen_slim 10]

Like the article says it is just common #2 steel shot, and you usually can't just destroy someone else's property even if it is on or over your land, but I know they feeling when someone flies a drone at below treetop level over your back yard.  It is a serious invasion of privacy, noisy (I thought a swarm of bees was coming at me at first), and most of the time you don't even know where the operator is, even if all you want to do is ask them politely to stop.  Plus there is something about drones that attracts the most idiotic, self-absorbed, irresponsible people.  The guys flying those things over forest fires and blocking the air tankers without realizing it are the most notable examples.  R/C airplanes have been around for decades and were never a problem because they took skill to fly.  But as soon as drones with autopilot become affordbale, every idiot goes hog wild.

[krzychuzokecia 700]

Like the article says it is just common #2 steel shot

 

Yeah, it's only a facetious marketing strategy - just like all that anti-zombie ammo which was popular few years ago. Snake River are not the first to promote themselves with drone ammo, but they're first to actually sell that thing.

 

there is something about drones that attracts the most idiotic, self-absorbed, irresponsible people.  (...)  R/C airplanes have been around for decades and were never a problem because they took skill to fly.

 

And one should really have some skills to attach a camera to them. I've read about some efforts to restrict drone use, but what was striking, authors had probably no idea about R/C sports - in effect these projects could lead to ban on R/C toys. I think it's more important to regulate who and when can film others without their knowledge/consent - like those CCTV/security camera laws we have in Europe. Camera equipped vehicles should be regulated by this too.