I just find it funny (not in a haha way, but in a the eye-roll way) that we want these toys, we make them better and easier to fly (or drive or pilot), and "certain individuals" push for their inclusion, marketing, and availability for Christmas time.. Without really knowing or predicting what may or may not happen (turning a blind eye, to benefit .. ??) We then hear of a few bad apples doing things with the new toys we didn't expect 'law abiding, upstanding individuals' to do, so we need to add rules. Only, these people will plead ignorance (and rightly so, to a point..) because the thing is available at Walmart for $49.95. While it has a manual, it's rarely read, except for the absolute needed part, and all safety recommendations & regulations are pushed to the back of the booklet, or (for whatever reason) "don't directly apply to me". And "Why should I register? I'm one little guy, in a park, in a little town, in a lesser known state.."
Ultimately (in the case of these drones): Grandma buys little Billy a drone for Christmas. Dad helps get it set up (charge batteries, pair it up, etc..) Dad & Billy go the local park / field to play / fly the thing. They are unaware of any regulations, and fly blissfully. Its a toy after all, not an Aston Martin.. The park is beside an airport, a busy highway, and a mall. Billy gets pretty good with it, and has acquired a VR helmet, and is now flying it all over the place. One day, the cops come & take it away, since there's been complaints about it; it's not registered, and it has been spotted over the mall, and at over 1200' by private pilots. Dad is totally unaware, and quite surprised..
Who is responsible to know the rules?
Is it up to the manufacturer to include US FAA rules & such? (or rules for the intended destination country?)
Is it up to the store owner to advise the purchaser? And if so, how to advise the end user if it's a gift?
How are these rules enforced? Do the local police know about the FAA rules & regs for this? Do they care?
Should there be a mechanism in the drone to only turn on once it's received a validation code from the FAA that it's been registered?
I remember when I first started to fly R/C planes, there was a commitment to be made. You first had to build said plane. You then needed to join a club, and get insurance. You were then paired up with an instructor, to ensure you knew what you were doing & get your 'wings'. Then came ARFs, so the building aspect was gone; more 'week-end' flyers.. "Aww, it crashed, I'll go get another one, see you next week.." Then came park fliers; why do I need to join a club when it says 'any park or football field?' Then came gyros and other methods & systems that helped with stability & flying, especially for newbies. Then came drones, and more drones with their plethora of features to keep it level, to follow you, GPS guided, and even able to return to a specified point.. Clubs and trained pilots are disappearing.. along with common sense, courtesy, and respect..
/rant off/