North Dakota has made it possible for police to arm drones with non-lethal weapons like tasers and rubber bullets. Until now, drones were used solely for surveillance. Granted, the drones can’t be armed with lethal weaponry; but the trend is similar to the feature creep in military drones that resulted in fully weaponized drone warfare. A warrant is still required for police use of weaponized drones, but a precedent is being set. Police will be less at risk, but a de-personalization of policing may reduce compassion and a sense of community. Considering the backlash against the heavy weaponization of some police forces, it will be worth watching to see how North Dakota’s policies are adopted or amended.
(Click on the photo for the link.)
Pretending Not To Panic 