The NFL, Justice Department, FBI, and other agencies are urging Congress to expand U.S. government authority to detect and neutralize drones posing security threats at stadiums and other key locations. The call comes amid rising concerns over safety, with a notable increase in rogue drone flights above stadiums during NFL games. In 2023, such incidents rose to 2,845, up from 2,537 in 2022. Current regulations prohibit drone flights up to 3,000 feet within a three-mile radius of major U.S. sporting events, but officials argue these measures are insufficient.
Since 2022, the White House and various sports leagues have pushed for broader authority to tackle threatening drones. The NFL, Major League Baseball, and others warn that without expanded powers, airports and sporting events remain at significant risk. Although Congress granted the Justice Department and Homeland Security expanded powers in 2018 to disable or destroy threatening drones, officials claim more authority is needed.
Proposed legislation would extend federal drone-detection coverage to airports, critical infrastructure (e.g., power plants and oil refineries), and high-risk prisoner transports. It would also enable state and local law enforcement to use enhanced counter-drone measures and allow facility owners to employ federally-approved drone detection systems. The FBI and Justice Department argue that current legal gaps leave sensitive facilities, like the CIA headquarters, vulnerable to espionage and physical attacks. The DHS also cited a surge in drones near the Southwest border, highlighting the threat of illicit cross-border activity.
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