Passing these types of bans, whether timed or immediate, will cause many public safety agencies to abandon the use of drones in their departments due to cost and supply issues. When that happens, not only first responders but also the public will become less safe. These bills, being pushed by Elise Stefanik and Mike Gallagher, will do more harm than good to public safety drone programs despite what the name of the bills imply. Many experts in the industry are sounding alarm bells about the costs and the ability of U.S. manufacturers to fill the void left by such a ban, but their voices are being ignored or they are being accused of repeating talking points by foreign drone manufacturers, which is not true.

We support U.S. drone companies and are cheering on their success, but we believe that a "rip-and-replace" approach, even over a five-year period, will cause immense harm to our safety and programs. Ignoring true experts and boots on the ground users advice on this matter is reckless and short-sighted.

As public safety drone pilots, program managers and administrators, we ask that our voices are heard and that these bills are abandoned.  Instead, we ask that our elected officials focus on building up domestic drone manufacturing by innovation and not by eliminating the the more advanced and reliable life saving tools we currently use. 

Sign this petition to urge lawmakers to reconsider these harmful bills and protect our public safety drone programs!