House tables bill to limit drone use in NH

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire’s House wants more time to consider whether drones should be allowed to spy on or launch attacks on its citizens.

The House voted 278-87 Wednesday to table a bill that would prohibit the unmanned flying machines capable of capturing images or sound of people on the ground, intercepting communications on the ground and firing lethal and non-lethal weapons. The parliamentary move effectively kills the bill unless supporters can win supermajority support to bring it back up after Thursday due to legislative deadlines.

Democratic State Rep. Paul Berch, of Westmoreland, argued the proposal potentially conflicted with federal airspace regulations.

Weare Republican State Rep. Neal Kurk, the bill’s sponsor, said the bill only applies to drones, not satellites or helicopters and would protect citizens.