Ferndale Grounds Plan To Ban Drones After Pushback

FERNDALE (WWJ/AP) - Officials in a Detroit suburb have grounded plans to ban drones from flying over the city.

Ferndale City Council Monday night opted to drop the proposed ban after hearing from about two dozen supporters of the unmanned aerial vehicles.

Councilman Mike Lennon supported the decision, saying the city should leave such regulations to federal authorities.

The ordinance would have made it a misdemeanor to fly drones anywhere but over the operator's backyard. An exception would have been made for law enforcement.

Gary Vasilnek uses them to inspect chimneys. He says such a ban would be "like a witch hunt."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) already regulates the use of drones, and 15 states have laws banning drones, at least in part.

Michigan State Police have approval for a drone designed to aid in investigations, and four troopers have been trained to control the device.

Earlier this month, Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law a ban on hunting with a drone or using a drone to harass hunters.

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