Mystery drones are popping up across U.S. skies. If you see one in Texas, can you shoot it down?

Drones over New Jersey have been reported to the FBI since mid-November, but officials are unsure where they are coming from.

The Associated Press reported that New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says the drones do not pose a public safety concern. On the flip side, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut has said that the drones should be shot down if necessary.

While there have been rumors of drone sightings along the gulf coast of Houston, confirmed cases are only present across the east coast, Ohio and California. Some have mistaken helicopters, manned aircraft or stars for unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, according to the AP.

With recent concerns, it’s important to know how to identify drones and what actions you can take if you spot one.

What is a drone?

“Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are flying devices that don’t have a pilot on board. They can be controlled remotely by a person or programmed to fly on their own (autonomously),” according to the Texas Criminal Defense Group. “Many drones are equipped with cameras, sensors, or other tools, making them useful for various tasks like photography, inspections, or deliveries.”

What we know about the drone sightings in New Jersey

Public officials claim that the drone sightings across the night sky in New Jersey are not a public safety concern. Out of 5,000 sightings since mid-November, the FBI says only 100 of them are worth further investigation.

Officials believe that the sightings have been a mix of recreational, law enforcement and commercial use drones. But there is no definitive answer, according to the AP.

“There are more than 1 million drones that are lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration here in the United States,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said. “And there are thousands of commercial, hobbyist and law enforcement drones that are lawfully in the sky on any given day. That is the ecosystem that we are dealing with.”

Gov. Murphy has asked Congress to equip states with more authority to deal with the drones.

President-elect Donald Trump speculated during an ABC press conference that the government knows more but is not saying anything.

U.S. Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) says the saga stems from a lack of trust in the government and that he has heard nothing about the government hiding answers from the public.

How do I know if it’s a drone flying over my house?

There have been false reports of drones due to confusion of other manned aircraft.

The most recognizable factor is a drone’s lights. During nighttime, they may light up red or green and will usually feature blinking lights to avoid collision with other aircraft.

Another good way is to watch the drone’s fight patterns. While it can be hard to tell how large something is when it’s hundreds of feet up in the sky, drones can hover horizontally and vertically, unlike planes, which need a noticeable amount of space to turn.

You can also listen. Drones are very loud and may be heard buzzing from up to 200 feet away.

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Is it legal to shoot down a drone?

Though Blumenthal suggested shooting down drones if necessary, however, Monmouth County (N.J.) Sheriff Shaun Golden says to avoid doing so because it violates federal law.

Drones fall under regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to the Aircraft Sabotage Act, shooting down aircraft (which falls under damaging or destroying aircraft) will be subject to a fine of not more than $100,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 20 years.

The FBI also warns against pointing lasers at the drones because that can often impact airline pilot’s vision.

Other Texas drone laws

In Texas, drone operations must stay below 400 feet above the ground and always be in the pilot’s point of view. Most importantly, they must not fly in restricted airspace (like airports).

They can be used for recreational, commercial or law enforcement purposes. Under Texas law, it’s illegal to fly a drone over private property if it is for surveillance reasons. But it is legal for police to use drones as surveillance if they have reasonable suspicion that you are committing a crime.

A person who breaks any drone laws in Texas will be subject to a misdemeanor and a fine.