July 4th Exposed a Major Gap in US Airspace Security

1. A Startling Lack of Temporary Flight Restrictions Left Skies Unprotected

This past Independence Day, the U.S. hosted dozens of drone shows, and based on historical estimates from the American Pyrotechnics Association, an average of 14,000 public fireworks displays. Yet only 19 July 4–related Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) were issued nationwide.

That number is alarmingly low, especially considering the risks. Drones flying near fireworks or large crowds can spark fires, cause midair collisions, fall on spectators and cause injury, trigger panic or be used to intentionally disrupt events. And without a TFR in place, there’s no legal framework for enforcement. No restrictions, no deterrents, no authority to act.

Even in the few locations where TFRs were issued and Dedrone had coverage, we detected an average of 71 unauthorized drone incursions per site! TFRs are essential, but they don’t enforce themselves.

A recent executive order acknowledging the importance of TFRs, directed the FAA to make them available in open formats for drone geofencing and navigation, and called for stronger enforcement and better detection tools. But it didn’t address the biggest issue: how TFRs get filed in the first place.

That’s because the FAA doesn’t issue TFRs automatically. It only responds to formal requests, usually from law enforcement, city officials or event organizers. And in many cases, no one formally owns that step. The process breaks down before it even starts.

The result: skies filled with drones and only a small number of restricted zones in place to enable airspace enforcement.

2. TFRs: A Foundation, Not a Fix

TFRs play a vital role in airspace security. When approved, they:

• Define restricted airspace
• Give law enforcement clear legal authority to investigate unauthorized drone activity and take action when needed
• Enable coordination with local, state and federal partners
• Notify compliant drone pilots of no-fly zones

But the system breaks down quickly in today’s drone environment:

• Most drones lack built-in geofencing or it is easily circumvented by the pilot
• Hobbyist pilots often don’t check FAA Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs), which are official alerts that communicate temporary changes to airspace, like TFRs for public events. As a result, many drone pilots unknowingly fly into restricted areas, creating safety and enforcement challenges.
• TFRs are difficult to implement. The process can take up to 90 days and includes FAA coordination, a formal request at least 45 days out, and final approval about a week before the event.
• Law enforcement has limited real-time detection and operator identification capabilities

Without a TFR, agencies are left monitoring threats without the authority to respond. And even when a TFR is active, enforcement remains difficult without drone detection & tracking tools.

3. No TFR, No Authority: Why Agencies Often Can’t Act

When a drone enters airspace over a public event, law enforcement’s options are limited if no TFR is in effect.Without a TFR:

• Agencies cannot detain a pilot or seize a drone solely for flying over a crowd
• There is no enforceable FAA airspace violation to justify intervention
• Officers often lack a clear legal justification to question or identify the operator

Flying over people can be legal under FAA Part 107 Subpart D, which allows certain categories of drones to operate over people under strict conditions. However, most hobbyists and many commercial operators do not meet those requirements. In such cases, the flight may violate FAA rules,  but that alone doesn’t give local law enforcement the authority to act. Unless a local ordinance prohibits drone activity in that area, or the drone poses an immediate threat, agencies are often left without a legal basis to intervene.

With counter-drone tools, agencies may be able to detect and track a drone and locate the pilot. But without a TFR or supporting local authority, that intelligence doesn’t always translate into action. A TFR, combined with drone and pilot location data, gives agencies the authority to question the operator, issue citations, or initiate an investigation, all with a clear, defensible legal foundation.

With a TFR in place, public safety agencies gain:

• Jurisdiction to act
• Authority to question or cite unauthorized operators
• Coordination with the FAA and federal partners for escalated enforcement or legal follow-up
• A defensible legal framework for real-time intervention

A TFR does not stop a drone. But it gives public safety the legal standing to engage the pilot when a drone is detected violating restricted airspace.

4. Turning Authority into Action: The Power of Detection

TFRs define the rules. Detection brings them to life.Even with a TFR in place, enforcement depends on real-time detection and operator identification. Detection platforms like Dedrone by Axon deliver that visibility with:

• Instant alerts when drones enter restricted airspace
• Drone identification, including DIY and commercial models
• Location tracking for both the drone and its operator
• Actionable data for investigations, reports and prosecutions

From Jan 1 to July 4, 2025, Dedrone recorded 403,768 standard violations, a 15% increase over the same period in 2024. On July 4, 2025 Dedrone detected 33,708 drone flights nationwide, 2.36X the average daily drone traffic. Nationwide, 37% of July 4 drone flights in USA violated an FAA guideline.

TFRs provide the legal foundation. Detection technology delivers the real-time intelligence. But one without the other leaves a critical gap.

Without a TFR, enforcement authority is limited. Without detection, threats go unseen.

To secure public events, especially those involving fireworks or drone shows, both are essential.

‍Dedrone by Axon closes that gap

‍We give public safety teams the tools and intelligence to take action when it matters most, from TFR support and airspace risk assessments to real-time detection and post-event reporting.

Hosting a drone show or fireworks display? We can help you secure the airspace.