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Bill

A 1924

Creates fourth degree crime of operating drone equipped with weapon.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Annette Quijano and 1 co-sponsor

Operating a civilian drone equipped with an anti-personnel device is a fourth-degree crime in New Jersey.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 1924

Summary of Bill A 1924 (New Jersey, Session 222)

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes a new criminal offense in New Jersey for operating a civilian unmanned aircraft system (drone) that is equipped with an anti-personnel device (a weapon or similar device designed to harm or incapacitate humans).
  • The bill aims to address safety and public security concerns related to armed drones operated by private individuals or businesses.

Key Provisions

Definitions (Section 1)

  • Anti-personnel device: Includes firearms (as defined in N.J.S.2C:39-1), prohibited weapons or devices under N.J.S.2C:39-3, or any other projectile designed to harm or incapacitate a human being.
  • Civilian unmanned aircraft system (UAS): A drone and its associated components (including communication links and control components) owned or operated by a private individual or business entity, required for safe operation.
  • Operate: Has the same meaning as in P.L.2017, c.315 (C.2C:40-27) (a statutory definition related to operating unmanned aircraft in New Jersey).
  • Unmanned aircraft: Has the same meaning as in P.L.2017, c.315 (C.2C:40-27).

Prohibited Conduct (Section 1, subsection b)

  • A person who operates a civilian unmanned aircraft system that is equipped with an anti-personnel device commits a crime of the fourth degree.

Penalties (Implicit in Fourth-Degree Crime)

  • Fourth-degree crimes in New Jersey carry:
    • Up to 18 months of imprisonment,
    • A fine of up to $10,000, or
    • Both imprisonment and fine.

Effective Date

  • The act states that it shall take effect immediately upon enactment.

Practical Impact

Who is Affected

  • Private individuals and private businesses in New Jersey that operate civilian drones.
  • Any drone equipped with an anti-personnel device would trigger criminal liability upon operation.

What Changes

  • Creates a specific criminal liability for arming or equipping a drone with a weapon and then operating it.
  • Establishes a fourth-degree offense, signaling a serious penalty but not the top tier.

Enforcement Considerations

  • Law enforcement would need to determine whether a drone is equipped with an anti-personnel device and whether the operator is in possession of or using such a device during operation.
  • The bill relies on existing definitions and statutory framework for operating unmanned aircraft.

Legislative History (Action)

  • Introduced on 2026-01-13 and referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
  • Primary and co-sponsors: Jay Webber and Annette Quijano.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with existing NJ drone regulations or assess potential ambiguities in the definitions (e.g., what constitutes an “anti-personnel device” in practice).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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