Drones should be 'shot down, if necessary,' lawmakers suggest

NEW JERSEY (PIX11) – The drones seen flying over the tri-state area should be "shot down, if necessary," U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said on Thursday.

The suggestion comes as the public and politicians are pleading with the federal government to take more action. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) also called for drones to be shot down by the military during an interview with NewsNation on Thursday.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) is expected to make an announcement on Friday about the drone investigation.

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said on Thursday that many of the thousands of reported drone sightings were "manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully."

Many more sightings, though, remained unexplained. Dozens of drones were spotted following a Coast Guard vessel, according to Smith.

PIX11 news anchor Dan Mannarino also saw what appeared to be at least seven drones Thursday night in Essex County.

They have also been seen in the no-fly military zone of the Naval Weapons Station Earle, officials said.

New drones, under the law, must be equipped with a signal so that law enforcement can identify the operator. New Jersey State Police have reported being unable to acquire a signal on those they have encountered.

The FBI, Pentagon and Homeland Security all say they're aware, concerned and continue to work to find the source of the drones. They, along with Gov. Phil Murphy, don't believe the drones pose an imminent threat.

"We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus," Kirby said.

Other politicians would beg to differ.

“Until you tell me where these are coming from and who’s responsible for them, they’re imminent,” Middletown Mayor Tony Perry said in an interview on PIX11 Morning News.

This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.