I don't think he's trying to be drone police. We're all kind of just discussing the topic and airing our own viewpoints. A lot of the problem arises from those who think we're for more laws, but really we're not. But we know that they're coming anyway. And they will effect all of us in one way or another. So it's good to stay abreast of things, keep informed of what's happening in the process. It's all good, I think. The discussion, that is.
Agreed, they are coming, needed or not, like it or not. We are a fairly vulnerable sport--none of the people who will clamor for more regulation and laws restricting drone flying will have a clue who we are, but they will tend to think that they are free to whip up the public further in the name of protecting little babies from these crazy and wanton lunatics flying these guided missiles into or over crowds of the innocent. I wonder if they might not go down the road of regulation so often mentioned in these posts on this thread, which might logically result in the registration of the drones, licensing of drone operators, and compulsory insurance for the lot. Then let the good times roll--if you're a lawyer (which lots of state and local government legislators are). Then they'll make a distinction between the toys, which don't require registration etc., and the serious drones. And you know which group our Phantoms will be in.
Arguments that they can't do that because the feds have preempted the field are at best untested. In the meantime any state that feels like it (see the exhaustive list in the post above), as well as many municipalities are fair targets for a bunch of scared people and their manipulative surrogates, the politicians. Frankly that ship has sailed, train's left the station, coming to a community near you. Too late to educate either the flyers or the cowering public, as there's too many goofy flyers and too many in the public who have trembled or will do so when the press hits.
I suggest we need to start thinking of the only thing I know of that might forestall some of the wildest regulations, and effectively take on selective laws which are vulnerable in the courts--we're gonna need an effective national association, for both PR and the courts. And that's going to take some money. I wish all those P3s being opened this Christmas had a membership card in the box and a way to make the recipients want to send in their dues to join.
One of the things the association might do is contact the people who post videos of their Phantoms breaking the rules of common sense/laws/regulations on Youtube. Those will be Exhibit A for the self-appointed saviours of mankind who will be lobbying for more drone laws.
If we don't have a decently funded organization for our side, it's just a matter of time. You know the joke about the 2 cons talking in prison, one asks the other "What're you in for?" Says the other with a sardonic smile: "Flew a P3 drone over 50,000 people watching the Macy's parade--got a year in the slammer for it." We either get the drift of where things are headed and take action ourselves, or we suffer the consequences of our inaction.