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The Virginia Senate yesterday approved a two-year moratorium on the use of unmanned drones throughout the commonwealth, reports WAMU:

The state Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass the moratorium legislation. It prohibits the use of drones in the state, but provides exceptions in case of emergency, to search for missing children or seniors and for National Guard training.

Lawmakers initially considered regulating drones, but settled on the moratorium to allow more time to study the issue. Proponents of the legislation say the unrestricted use of the small, unmanned aircraft for surveillance could infringe on Virginians’ privacy rights.

The bill now goes to Gov. Bob McDonnell, who, if he signs it, will make Virginia one of the first places in the country to formally put off the use of the drones over civil liberties concerns.