Do not over-regulate drones

Columbus Dispatch: Long-awaited rules from the Federal Aviation Administration governing the use of drones in the United States are a welcome first step: At least the FAA has taken action, rather than continuing with its ineffective and largely unenforced ban on drones.

The United States should be a leader in drone technology, rather than watching as other countries move ahead. An article in The Wall Street Journal last fall detailed how drone-makers in countries such as China and Germany have been shipping hundreds of drones around the world while American makers have been hampered not only by domestic restrictions, but by bans on shipping to many countries. On the user side, industries from agriculture and real estate to marketing companies and retailers are eager to expand drone use.

Some drone stipulations, particularly one that would allow drones only to be flown within the sight of an operator, negate the benefits. Some regulation of drones certainly is called for: Legitimate safety and security concerns have been raised in a number of cases. But the FAA should not strangle this important new technology through over-regulation.