XBradTC

Saw a couple folks on Twitter and Facebook wondering why autogryo guy wasn’t shot out of the sky, and how that just shows our security is weaksauce.

First, it’s apparent from that linked WaPo article that Capitol Police had at least some inkling that he was enroute. After all, they did clear the lawn.

Second, it’s an autogryo. It has very little mass, kinetic energy, or payload capability. A reasonable risk assessment would quickly show that any attempt to shoot it down, via either small arms fire or perhaps a Stinger missile, would very likely pose a far, far greater risk to innocent bystanders than simply letting Mr. Hughes land, or even ram the building.

And while this is, to my recollection the first time someone has landed an unauthorized autogryo at the Capitol, let’s not forget the Huey incident at the White House, nor even the Cessna at the White House. Neither of which resulted in much damage.