Bill Moore Proposes New Florida Law Authorizing Protective Drone Operations entitled the “Charlie Kirk Aerial Protection Act”
Orlando, FL – Bill Moore, candidate for Orange County Sheriff and a FAA-certified sUAS Remote Pilot, today announced his call for new Florida legislation authorizing licensed security officers to use drones for protective security sweeps at public events.
In order to prevent similar occurrences or “copy-cat” type snipers from elevated positions, Moore urges Florida lawmakers and Governor DeSantis to act immediately after political influencer Charlie Kirk was murdered by a sniper on September 10, 2025. Moore also points to the assassination attempt by a sniper against former candidate and now President, Donald J. Trump.
“Seconds save lives. We saw it in the 2024 rooftop assassination attempt on Donald Trump, and again on September 10, 2025, with the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk,” Moore said. “Drones can provide immediate eyes in the sky to identify shooters and locate victims, but right now Florida law ties our hands. That must change.”
Under current Florida law (§ 934.50, F.S.), licensed security personnel are prohibited from using drones to scan rooftops or elevated positions for potential threats. Moore argues this restriction leaves political candidates, elected officials, and the public vulnerable at rallies and civic gatherings.
Moore stresses the next legislative session still months away, and notes that Governor DeSantis has the authority to issue an executive order to provide safety measures in the interim. By executive order, Governor DeSantis could authorize a temporary pilot program under FDLE or the Division of Emergency Management to allow licensed FAA Part 107 drone operators to work alongside law enforcement for protective sweeps at political events.
“The Legislature has a duty to act in 2026 to fix this gap in the law, but lives are on the line today. Governor DeSantis has the authority to bridge that gap now with an executive order to protect candidates campaigning now and the public. I sure hope Governor DeSantis is willing to act.”
Moore is prepared to present the proposed bill to lawmakers willing to sponsor it. If filed and enacted into law, the legislation would:
- Authorize licensed security officers and contracted FAA Part 107 remote pilots to conduct rooftop and elevated threat assessments before and during public events.
- Permit immediate drone deployment during hostile incidents without waiting for law enforcement direction.
- Provide Good Samaritan-style immunity from civil and criminal liability for good-faith operators acting to save lives.
- Maintain strict privacy safeguards, including a 30-day data retention limit unless images are evidence of a crime.Moore emphasized that the measure is narrowly tailored:
“This is not about surveillance. It’s about protection. Florida must lead the nation in balancing privacy with the urgent need to prevent another political tragedy.”
________About Bill Moore
Bill Moore is a retired Orlando Police Department Detective with 21 years of service, a former Task Force Agent with the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, and a FAA-certified sUAS Remote Pilot (drone pilot). He is running for Orange County Sheriff on the theme “Reset the Tone.”
________
###
