What happens if you shoot down a delivery drone?

As companies like Amazon, Google, and Walmart invest in drone delivery, incidents of drones being shot down have emerged. A recent case in Florida involved a man shooting a Walmart drone, leading to charges of discharging a firearm and criminal mischief. The legal ramifications of shooting down drones are still evolving, with potential penalties including fines and up to 20 years in prison. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) considers such actions a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. 32, which covers the destruction of aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). While there have been previous cases of drone shootings, the consequences have not been consistently severe. As drone delivery expands in the U.S., the role of federal legislation like 18 U.S.C. 32 in UAV incidents may become clearer, potentially resulting in harsher penalties. Despite the increasing popularity of drone deliveries, challenges such as high costs and limited scalability persist, impacting the industry's growth.