If you've been following the news lately, you know that drones have become a concern in the Garden State.

"Mysterious Drone Sightings" has been topping the news, with many people from across the state saying they've witnessed these "unauthorized drones."

Photo by Matt Pritchard on Unsplash
Photo by Matt Pritchard on Unsplash
loading...

What's with all the drone talk?

Lawmakers have been calling for an investigation, demanding to know what the dones are, where they come from, and their purpose.

Have you seen any unusual drones near you?

I say unusual because, in today's world, drones are routinely in our skies - we see them all the time now at outdoor concerts

Photo by Karl Greif on Unsplash
Photo by Karl Greif on Unsplash
loading...

Don't do this if you spot a done

If you do see unusual drones near you, there's one thing that you should definitely NOT do: try to shoot it down.

The FAA considers all drones to be aircraft, and attempting to shoot down an aircraft can result in big-time trouble.

This applies to no matter where the drone is flying, even if it's directly over your house or property. It doesn't matter, drones are aircraft and you can't mess with them.

According to Forbes, the penalty for shooting at drones is steep: up to 20 years in prison.

Even messing with a drone operator could get you five years in federal prison.

Shooting down a drone also causes a big safety issue. Shooting gunfire into the air is not a smart thing to do, and, if you hit the drone, it could crash into someone or something, causing damage.

97.3 ESPN logo
Get our free mobile app
Photo by George Kroeker on Unsplash
Photo by George Kroeker on Unsplash
loading...

What to do if you see a drone

If you see a drone that looks out of place, report it to the police, and let them handle it.

Be safe, New Jersey!

LOOK: See the Most Famous Musician Born the Same Year As You

Stacker identified musicians born in every year from 1920 to 2003 and determined the most famous born the same year as you.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOKS: Things you'd likely see in an awesomely '80s garage

From scandalous bikini calendars to your dad's AMC Gremlin, '80s garages were a treasure trove of adventure, good fun, and sometimes downright danger.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

More From 97.3 ESPN