Proponents of the use of drones say technology exists to keep drones away from airports and other facilities, like prisons and sports stadiums. But so far, it can be used only for detection, not deterrence, they say.

“The only thing we can do is detect the drone,” said James Barnes, founder of the Drone Academy, a training center in Ringoes, N.J. Mr. Barnes said federal regulators barred the use of the technology to block drones from flying over a particular area, to force a drone to the ground or to trace it back to its operator.

Adam Bry, chief executive and founder of the drone company Skydio, who previously worked on drones at Google, said that regulation alone could not properly control the danger that drones posed at airports. “Ultimately, the best solutions are going to be technology based,” he said. “No matter what rules you have, it is very, very difficult to deal with bad actors unless you have the ability to monitor the airspace and take action.”

Start-ups such as SkySafe and AirMap are exploring technologies that identify drones, jam their radio signals or ground them in other ways. SkySafe, founded by a former Air Force officer, has been working on drone tracking and signal jamming technology for about three years and is now supplying its technology to the Navy. It is in discussions with airports, stadium operators and other commercial companies.

But unless they are working with the government, these companies do not yet have the legal authority to interfere with drone flight, said Jonathan Rupprecht, a Florida-based lawyer who specializes in drones.

Following air-traffic disruptions caused by drones, many people wonder why the police do not simply shoot down offending drones. Adam Lisberg, a spokesman for DJI Technology, a drone maker, said such action is generally prohibited.

“It is right now illegal in most cases to interfere with a drone in flight,” Mr. Lisberg said. “Drones are considered aircraft.”