Drones and the 2nd Amendment

[Ma'ake]

Now that we know there are drones surveiling US airspace, and we know the information the NSA is collecting, is it time for the Supreme Court to rule on whether the people can own and operate Stinger Missiles in defending their data and privacy?

[Jarid in Cedar]

Makes me want a few more assault rifles.

[Sullyute]

I have listened to two recent NPR reports on the future use of local or commercial drones (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=192415103) and how more and more cities are using surveillance cameras (http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/06/20/191603369/The-Business-Of-Surveillance-Cameras) to watch people. They are, or are poised to be, billion dollar a year industries. So as much as we try, unless you live off the grid, your privacy is not very private anymore.

[pangloss]

I have listened to two recent NPR reports on the future use of local or commercial drones (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=192415103) and how more and more cities are using surveillance cameras (http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/06/20/191603369/The-Business-Of-Surveillance-Cameras) to watch people. They are, or are poised to be, billion dollar a year industries. So as much as we try, unless you live off the grid, your privacy is not very private anymore.

When you walk down the street do you expect every law enforcement officer to clear the streets so they do not see you? If not, then what about a cop in a helicopter? If that's OK, what about surveillance cameras at intersections and highways. If those are OK, then what about surveillance cameras in high crime areas? And if all that is OK, then why not drones and satellites?

I believe the Supreme Court ruled that once you leave your house you do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. And personally, I don't think there's much of a difference between a human and a surveillance camera or between cameras on a pole vs a drone.

There's no fighting it - once you leave your home.

[pangloss]

Makes me want a few more assault rifles.


Why? Sedition and armed revolt against the duly authorized officials?

[Jarid in Cedar]

Why? Sedition and armed revolt against the duly authorized officials?

Pretty much. I would give then something interesting to watch

[GarthUte]

When you walk down the street do you expect every law enforcement officer to clear the streets so they do not see you? If not, then what about a cop in a helicopter? If that's OK, what about surveillance cameras at intersections and highways. If those are OK, then what about surveillance cameras in high crime areas? And if all that is OK, then why not drones and satellites?

I believe the Supreme Court ruled that once you leave your house you do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. And personally, I don't think there's much of a difference between a human and a surveillance camera or between cameras on a pole vs a drone.

There's no fighting it - once you leave your home.

You make a good point about no reasonable expectation of privacy outside our houses, but the entire NSA data mining ordeal has thrown that expectation out the window. These drones being a government eye in the sky is one more way government encroaches our lives and folks are starting to wake up to just how little privacy we're allowed.

[LA Ute]

Now this is getting interesting again. Under the Second Amendment may a private citizen own a drone carrying an operational firearm? I'd like to have one.

[U-Ute]

There may already be some case law starting on this...

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/05/so-this-is-how-it-begins-guy-refuses-to-stop-drone-spying-on-seattle-woman/275769/

[GarthUte]

There may already be some case law starting on this...

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/05/so-this-is-how-it-begins-guy-refuses-to-stop-drone-spying-on-seattle-woman/275769/

If someone told me that they were allowed to fly an RC helicopter with a camera next to one of the bedroom windows, I'd have one of my kids go across the street with their glove then I'd put a baseball in the guy's crotch if he was facing me or the back/side of his head depending which way he was facing.

"I was just tossing the ball to my kid and it got away from me."