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Comment by mindcrime | Hacker News Reader

This has to be one of the stupidest ideas I've ever heard in my life. Not because it doesn't possibly have some noble intent behind it, but - if for no other reason - because it's going to be bloody impossible to enforce. When any hobbyist can easily build a drone/UAV without much in the way of special skills or equipment, how in the hell do they ever expect they'll get everybody to register them?

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I'm guessing that they're not worried about the hobbyists, who are generally more responsible; but the random people getting assembled drones as Xmas gifts.

Maybe there'll be a DIY exception like firearms have?

I'm curious, what kind of firearm is classified as DIY and registration is not required?

Anything short of full-auto or under 0.50 bore (more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_II_weapons). Even then, certain categories (SBRs, AOWs) can be legally owned after paperwork and filing for a tax stamp ($5 for AOWs transfers, $200 for SBRs and supressors).

This is why you see AR15 "80% Complete Lowers" being sold. You buy what is basically a chunk of metal, finish the machining (can be done with a special jig and a drill press), and you can have a functional AR15 that nobody but you has any knowledge of.

The "upper receiver" and barrel, trigger parts kit, bolt assembly, and other bits are just pieces parts and pipe, as far as UPS and anyone else is concerned. When I built my AR15 (out of a locally purchased fully complete lower), I bought the upper receiver assembly online and UPS delivered it to my front door.

Plus, not all states require registration of "normal" firearms. In Texas, the only "registration" is the ATF Form 4473 that is filled out at time of purchase, and those are held by the seller, not the government.

http://www.vice.com/video/diy-guns-591

They can simply fine people who do not have the documents with them. Like a police officer would come up to a drone pilot and ask for documents.

You can build a bicycle much more easily than a drone and many counties and some countries require people to register their bicycles.

Do the police usually have the capability to track down who is operating a drone though?

If you're doing something annoying or illegal they could always follow it and see where it lands. More likely they would ask when they drive by and see someone preparing to launch one.

There are lots of hunting, firearms, and vehicular regulations that get enforced by cops (and other peace officers) who see things while on patrol.

replace drone with car. still stupid?

It's generally harder to build a car than a drone, so the analogy really doesn't hold. But yes, car registration is still stupid.

Also cars are multi-ton objects moving at incredible speed operated by a texting driver which routinely fly into each other causing death and dismemberment daily. Daily.

replace drone with radio-transmitters above certain power operating in certain frequencies.

HAM operators are proud of the strict licencing requirements and the test they need.

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