What to know about the counter drone technology that triggered the closure of the El Paso airspace

The government’s ability to deal with drones that pose a threat on American soil has been questioned this week after airspace was closed over El Paso, Texas. Sources familiar with the situation told The Associated Press a laser designed to shoot down drones was used near the border in Texas and led to the abrupt closure. The government is giving more agencies the authority to take down drones that present a threat. That could make situations like the one in El Paso more likely. A drone warfare expert says it wouldn’t be hard for someone with malicious intent to buy a drone online and use it to do great harm at a major public event.