TULSA, Okla. — After the unusual drone sighting in New Jersey, some Oklahomans are uneasy when it comes to what they could be used for. Some call it ‘Fear of the Unknown.’

“It wasn’t a big shock,” said Tim Tipton, Commissioner of Public Safety and Homeland Security. “We’ve been looking at emerging drone technology for years. Oklahoma’s a leader in drone technology for commercial use and things like that, and it’s a very fast growing industry.”

Drones are being seen in the air more often. This comes after several unusual sightings in the sky in New Jersey.

Some Oklahomans are uneasy about what they could be used for.

Dr. Jon Loffi, an Aviation and Space Professor at Oklahoma State University, has researched the differences between various manned and unmanned aircraft at different altitudes.

“I caution people [to keep relatively] calm...and don’t jump to any conclusions. Study what you’re looking at. Most of the pictures you see are pretty blurry, kind of like seeing Bigfoot. All those pictures are blurry too and it’s hard to make an identification,” said Dr. Loffi.

Commissioner Tipton was tasked by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt with protecting Oklahomans from aerial threats.

“Knowing how drones have been used around the world to harm people and in warfare, we knew that had a potential to be done anywhere in the United States with it. So much so that we already had some fixed technology in the state,” said Tipton.

He said he’s glad Gov. Stitt is taking this threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) seriously.

Gov. Stitt directed Commissioner Tipton to purchase mobile counter-UAS detection systems so state and local law enforcement agencies can detect and identify UAS activity.

“Ultimately, it’s going to be state, county, and municipal law enforcement who are the first responders at these events and we need the tools in place to take immediate action when necessary...and remedy it and make sure we’re safe,” said Tipton.

Right now, federal law prohibits anyone from disabling or destroying drones.

Commissioner Tipton said that Gov. Stitt plans to work with the National Governors Association to ask the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow law enforcement agencies to use the technology to bring a drone to the ground if they feel it poses a threat.