At the risk of incurring mod wrath...
As a NYer, I will agree completely with the first part of your post. I would also agree that the charges are well deserved.
As to the last sentence I would argue two points. First, what you call "strongest gun laws" I would call "most obvious attempt to circumvent the rights enshired in the 2A" and most disrespect of the U.S. Constitution.
And on that point, I would also argue that California often does surpass us in the "lack of liberty" department. A coin toss as to who gets the honors in any given year.
To bring it back to drones - the point does have application. NY (and California) loves to regulate and restrict. Both love to be "first" in the country to prohibit something and make their prohibition more encompassing than anywhere else - even if it is just a large sized soda. My county already has sweeping regulations prohibiting drone flights over/near county property, as does NY state over state parks. If you want to see where drone restrictions are heading, look to NY and CA for a glimpse into the future.
Just be glad the Phantom is white. If it were black, NY would classify it as an "assault drone" and prohibit ownership!