Obviously it would be illegal in most of Europe and probably elsewhere too.
This is something I've spent a fair few idle afternoons daydreaming about, and to be honest I'm quite worried about the future possibility of semi-autonomous weaponised drones. The average HN reader probably has the knowledge and access to resources necessary to build a basic manually-controlled drone. An iPhone or even an Arduino would provide the necessary computing power for semi-autonomous activity (and a whole bunch of useful sensors, including GPS, camera etc.) and it can't be long before someone builds some open source software to enable these things to fly basic missions (go to these coordinates, film for 30 minutes, return to base, avoid obvious obstacles whilst doing so). Mounting some kind of weapon on there is a fairly simple step. You could even print the weapon parts with a 3D printer...
What really scares me is the arms race that will occur when law enforcement has to deal with this kind of thing.
(I should stress I'm a very peaceful chap with no revolutionary or violent inclinations whatsoever!)
That's how it starts...
"A future for drones: Automated killing"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/national-security/a-f...
There are exemptions to most of these laws, including ones concerning "hunting seasons" for farmers.
I knew a guy with an orchard who had the coveted right in Ohio to shoot deer all year long. 80% of that man's familys' protein came from those hungry deer.
... And I like to fly small R/C foamies, as well :-) No plans to build any flying defenses, though.
You must have a hell of a wireless keyboard, typing from up on that high horse of yours.
The FAA other alphabet soup agencies probably have other regulations regarding the manufacture and use of a flying killing machine.
Some info on ATF licenses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Firearms_License
It's not just "remote hunting" that's banned. It's the attachment of any weapon to an aerial or moving platform that's banned. A slingshot on a paper plane would qualify by a literal interpretation of the laws as written.
See section 91.15 for the part about "dropping of items."
I'm still looking for the BATF regs on this. IANAL, so it's a bit of work, but I do know a few guys that do weapons systems (govt contractor) and my younger brother is a pilot.
http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13318
As long as they aren't actually guns, it's legal. As soon as they become actual firearms, then you need permits/licenses/etc.