Louisiana Becomes First State to Authorize Local Law Enforcement to Neutralize Dangerous Drones

BATON ROUGE, LA - In a national first, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has signed into law a sweeping new measure that authorizes state and local law enforcement to actively intercept and disable drones that pose credible threats to public safety. Video from Governor Landry’s bill signing may be found here.

The “We Will Act” Act marks the first time a state has granted its law enforcement agencies direct drone mitigation authority - a move typically reserved for federal entities. The law empowers specially trained officers to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic technologies to neutralize unmanned aerial systems operating unlawfully near high-risk areas such as schools, public events, and critical infrastructure.

“This law puts Louisiana on the front lines of drone defense,” said Governor Landry. “We are taking bold steps now to protect our people and our skies before tragedy strikes.”

The legislation includes strict penalties for violators, including fines of up to $5,000, up to one year in jail, and mandatory forfeiture of the drone used in the offense.

The bill comes amid rising national concern over unauthorized drone activity near sensitive locations - including military facilities and large public gatherings. Governor Landry and President Donald Trump publicly addressed the threat earlier this year during remarks at Mar-a-Lago.

With this new law, Louisiana positions itself at the forefront of state-level drone policy, setting a precedent likely to influence future legislation nationwide.