Short answer up front: do not jam. Operating a radiofrequency jammer, GPS blocker, or any device that intentionally interferes with authorized radio communications is illegal nationwide for private individuals. Federal law and federal regulators control this field, and the consequences include civil forfeitures, large fines, equipment seizure, and potential criminal charges.

Why federal law matters more than state law

Two different federal regimes are relevant. The Communications Act and FCC rules forbid willful interference with authorized radio communications, including sale or operation of jammers. That prohibition is broad and covers cellular, GPS, Wi-Fi, and other signals. The statute is codified at 47 U.S.C. § 333 and the FCC has repeatedly enforced the ban.

Separately, the FAA and federal criminal laws protect the national airspace and aircraft. The FAA treats small unmanned aircraft systems as aircraft for many regulatory purposes, and federal criminal law makes it an offense to willfully damage, disable, or destroy an aircraft. That statute is 18 U.S.C. § 32 and can be implicated by actions that physically or electronically neutralize an aircraft. In short, jamming a drone can trigger FCC action, FAA enforcement coordination, and even federal criminal exposure.

What states can and cannot change

States have passed many different unmanned aircraft laws covering privacy, trespass, trespass-adjacent crimes, law enforcement use of drones, and limits tied to specific contexts such as wildfires or prisons. Those state laws form a patchwork and they vary substantially. But states generally cannot authorize private parties to operate radio jammers that would conflict with federal spectrum law, and state statutes do not erase the FCC statutory ban. If a state law appears to permit jamming it will likely face federal preemption or at least not protect a user from FCC or federal criminal enforcement. Use the NCSL state UAS landscape as a reference for specific state drone statutes and trends.

State-by-state reality for hobbyists (practical summary)

  • Nationwide baseline: Jamming is federally illegal. No state carve-out lets private hobbyists legally jam control links, GPS, cellular, or other signals.

  • Many states: Have laws that address where drones may not be flown or that create penalties for nuisance or privacy invasions. Those laws allow civil remedies or state criminal charges against the drone operator, but they do not give you the right to use RF- or GPS-jamming equipment. See state UAS compilations for details.

  • Wildfire and emergency contexts: Some states have explicit statutes making it illegal to interfere with emergency response or wildfire suppression by operating a drone. Interfering with those responses is a separate state offense and the proper response is enforcement, not jamming.

  • Law enforcement and government: Federal law provides limited exceptions for certain federal agencies. Some state or local agencies have sought authority to use counter-UAS tools but that is constrained by federal spectrum law and coordination requirements. Do not assume local police can lawfully jam unless there is a clearly coordinated, legally authorized federal or delegated program.

Selected enforcement examples and penalties

The FCC has fined and assessed forfeitures against parties for selling or using jamming devices that disrupted GPS or cellular signals. The penalties can be severe and civil fines are assessed per violation. Criminal exposure is also possible if the interference is willful or creates public safety risk. The GPS.gov guidance and FCC enforcement history are clear that these devices are not lawful for consumer or private use.

Safe, legal alternatives for hobbyists

If another person’s drone is a nuisance or you believe it is invading your privacy, here is a safe checklist: 1) Document what is happening. Record time, location, photos or video identifying the drone if possible.
2) Contact local law enforcement. Many states and localities have procedures to report unlawful or unsafe drone operations.
3) If the drone is creating an immediate safety risk to people or property, call emergency services.
4) If privacy is the concern, consult state privacy or trespass laws and consider civil remedies.
5) Do not attempt RF interference. Do not buy, import, or operate jammers or GPS blockers. The technical footprint of a jammer is indiscriminate and will affect others, including first responders.

Counter-drone tools that are legal for private use

  • Passive options: Physical barriers, netting, and controlled enclosures. These are physical mitigations that do not affect the RF environment.
  • Detection and documentation: Radio direction finding, ADS-B/remote ID monitoring, and cameras that simply observe and log. These tools help build a case for enforcement without breaking spectrum law.
  • Coordinated removal: Contracted drone capture services that use non-RF means, when available and operated under local law and insurance coverage. Always vet these providers and confirm legal authority.

What hobbyists should do state-by-state

This is the practical guidance I give to hobbyist pilots:

  • Assume the federal ban on jamming applies wherever you are in the United States. There is no safe state-level workaround for private jamming.
  • Check your state UAS statutes for privacy and trespass remedies. Use the NCSL UAS state landscape to find your state code entries and recent session activity. That will tell you what civil and criminal remedies exist against rogue operators.
  • Contact local aviation authorities or the FAA for incidents involving safety. If a drone is operating dangerously in your neighborhood, the FAA is the federal agency with primary responsibility for the national airspace.
  • If you suspect criminal conduct such as stalking or photographing someone in a state-protected private space, contact law enforcement. Civil orders or trespass enforcement are the lawful paths.

Final, actionable rule of thumb

Do not purchase or operate jamming equipment. If you see a drone you believe is violating your rights or state law, document it, contact local law enforcement, and if necessary, pursue civil remedies. Taking the radio into your own hands is both dangerous and illegal. The federal spectrum rules exist because jamming can break emergency communications and endanger lives. Treat the radio spectrum as shared critical infrastructure, and choose legal, non-interfering responses when drones cross your property or comfort line.