It was at an altitude that posed a risk to commercial aircraft. It needed to be shot down, no matter who put it up there.
They reported the altitude, and it posed a risk. It needed to be shot down.
@ScottSoCal @carnage4life
That's debatable. The FAA places no restriction on such devices.
@ScottSoCal @carnage4life
The FAA has guidelines on this actually. These groups likely follow the rules and didn't deserve to have their balloons shot down.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-101#p-101.37(b)