A small town in Colorado has thrown out a proposal to issue hunting licences to shoot down drones.

Town officials in Deer Trail say 73% of the 188 votes cast were against the measure. Deer Trail has 348 registered voters, but many are probably inactive.

Federal aviation authorities warned it is a crime to shoot at drones, but backers said the measure was a tongue-in-cheek challenge to surveillance programmes. Some residents called the election a novelty response to show displeasure and raise money through permits.

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