As the drone mystery continues pilots are joining calls from law enforcement and local officials not to point lasers at aircraft.

There has been an increase in pilots of manned aircraft being hit in the eyes with lasers because people on the ground are assuming they’re drones. There could be dangerous and possibly deadly consequences if manned aircraft are mistaken for unmanned aircraft, according to the FBI.

"We are also concerned people will take matters into their own hands and firing a weapon at an aircraft. Not only is this act against the law, but it poses an incredible danger to the pilots and passengers on those aircraft," said Nelson Delgado, of the Newark FBI. "Whatever your beliefs are, putting someone else's life in danger is not the answer."

A pilot who spoke with News 12 New Jersey also reiterated the dangers of pointing lasers at aircraft.

“Everybody knows that if you’re hit with a laser out in the sun, that you can have retinal damage,” says pilot Richard Thomas. “So, safety-wise, that’s very important, especially if you’re a single pilot.”

Thomas also adds that in the days since the drone sightings, it’s become part of their daily briefing before taking flight.

The Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense said in a joint statement that there have been more than 5,000 tips received in the last few weeks about drones spotted over New Jersey and other states. They say that of those tips, just 100 have resulted in leads.