In May 2017 draft legislation would let government agencies monitor any drones flying over an American "covered facility, location or installation" and give the facilities broad leeway to intercept wireless signals going to the drone, and if it was determined to be a threat that the agency could redirect, disable, confiscate or destroy it. Areas considered "covered" could be search and rescue operations, wildfires, police investigations, and other government activities. An exception for drones in US hacking and surveillance laws would be made; intercepting drone signals could be considered wiretapping or accessing a "protected computer" and disabling or destroying a drone could be considered aircraft sabotage under certain FAA rules. The draft was to become part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

 The National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 states that the army will conduct an assessment of capabilities of air defense artillery capacity and responsiveness to include threats posed by unmanned aerial systems along with cruise missiles and manned aircraft. The Secretary of Defense may take actions and may authorize the armed forces to take actions described in the act to mitigate the threat that an unmanned aircraft poses to the safety or security of a covered facility or asset. These actions include monitoring, detecting, identifying including interception or other access, warn the operator of the aircraft by passive or active, and direct or indirect physical, electronic, radio, and electromagnetic means, and disrupt control of the aircraft without prior consent including disabling by intercepting, interfering, or causing interference with wire, oral, electronic or radio communications to control the unmanned aircraft. Those so authorized can seize or exercise control, confiscate, or use reasonable force to disable, damage, or destroy the unmanned aircraft. Any seized aircraft is considered forfeited to the United States. The Secretary of Energy has the same authority with regards to facilities identified by the Secretary of Energy for purposes of the section and located and owned in the United States or contracted to the United States to store or use special nuclear material.

 The goal of the defense act is to protect government and other significant properties from interference by drones. Many such areas are already restricted so that only those with proper authorization can enter the facility. If seen as a threat to national security, this Act allows the army to dispatch drones.

 Since drones can fly overhead, an unauthorized drone can readily fly into restricted areas.On August 7th the Pentagon approved a policy that allows military bases to shoot down unauthorized drones in their airspace. Details are unavailable as the information is classified, but rules of engagement concerning drones have been issued. Complications arise however because many military installations are surrounded by farmland and farmers often use drones to monitor their crops; and the government may have even leased the property from the owner. Anti-drone measures include water cannons, shotguns, sophisticated electronic warfare systems designed to disable the drone's controls and power systems. Disabling the power system would avoid issues such as where the bullets are headed when released from anti-drone shotguns or missiles.

 Meanwhile, some states have created their own laws surrounding the ability of individuals or state agencies to shoot at drones over their property. Only Oklahoma allows an individual to shoot down a drone if it is not in Federal Air Space; the homeowner is granted civil immunity. Other states allow public entities, law enforcement or fire departments to disable drones if the drone endangers the officer's or the public's safety.  Chances are good that other states will follow suit, as drones are popular and are expected to keep increasing. Currently there are 1.1 million drones in the United States; estimates are that by 2021, only four years from now, that number will be at least 3.55 million, and maybe even 4.55 million. The number of remote pilots is expected to grow from 20,362 in 2016 to 281,300 by 2021.