I don't think the FAA is that concerned about the terrorist threat. In fact I don't think many federal, state, or local governments are that concerned any more. In fact I recently noticed a very large building with those decorative bollards designed to stop a large semi. Problem is, is that they were spaced about 12 or more feet apart. One pair was on each side of a very large store front window about 15 feet square. This opening was into a very large lobby that could hold hundreds of people, the room was connected to a hall way with an opening about the same size as the window where the truck could park right next to a very large room typically used for conference displays, car shows, etc. A very large truck could easily drive right between the bollards and into the lobby, down the hall way and blow up killing thousands of people. So I don't think people are very worried about terrorist attacks anymore.

However the FAA is concerned about UAVs opererating in the same airspace as commercial aircraft. The AMA is simply throwing up its hands and outlawing autonomous models from it perview! Supposedly because there are so few who fly them. I guess the control line and free flight modelers will be thrown out next. The AMA should be fighting for them and setting up waiver procedures with the FAA as the model rocket modelers have done. Right now you cannot set an altitude record and meet FAA's rules, and their is no waiver procedure to do so. And that is not necessarily autonomous, but I bet they would be safer than peering through a large telescope!