Lawmakers Don't Buy Arguments for Gun-Toting Drones

After Austin Haughwout posted a video online of a drone with a semiautomatic handgun attached to it firing into the distance, it sparked a nationwide conversation about drones and their possible weaponization.

Judiciary Chairman Rep. William Tong said "When I saw the video of the drone with the kid who mounted the handgun, I’m like, ‘What are you thinking about?’”

The video led lawmakers to explore the possibility of outlawing the practice. A committee heard arguments on the issue, Monday.

Haughwout, a 19 year old student at Central Connecticut State University, testified against the proposal, saying it's not the gun or the drone that people should be worried about. Instead, he said it's the person using it.

“This is a bill giving a solution to a problem that simply doesn’t exist. It’s in search of a problem" he told lawmakers. “The mere weaponization of any aircraft on its own doesn’t cause any problems. It’s the person’s use of it.”

Law enforcement say the issue only came up because of Haughwout's YouTube video that now has more than 3.5 million views.

“That created the concern that this is possible and if it’s possible, how can it be misused" said Paul Fitzgerald, the Berlin Police Chief who spoke on behalf of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association.

There is nothing illegal currently when it comes to guns on drones.

Rep. Tong says it's logical to craft a policy preventing them from getting developed.

“These kinds of things are common sense but they don’t arise until you confront them.”

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