Anyone else see where this is going?

[str8shooter]

Laser pointers banned after attacks

"A major Australian state has banned laser pointers after a spate of incidents in which aircraft pilots have been temporarily blinded, the government said on Monday.

High-powered hand lasers, including so-called "star pointers" used by astronomers, would be listed as prohibited weapons in New South Wales state with jail terms of up to 14 years for anyone carrying them without a permit."

"The ban will build on planned national importation controls announce by the federal government earlier this month, treating laser pointers like firearms."


I haven't been able to find the definitions in any dictionary, but I'm pretty sure anyone who shines a laser at an aircraft is either an 'asshat' or a 'fucktard'.

I'm an avid star-gazer and the first time I heard about a pilot being blinded by one of these, I went out and bought one. I've seen them around and thought one would be great for pointing out stars and constellations to the kids, but after pilots started complaining I figured it was only a matter of time before they would be banned. It looks like Australia got there first, but I bet the U.S. isn't far behind.

Call me paranoid, but where I see this going is if a bill is written banning laser star pointers in the U.S., it will ban all laser pointing devices, including laser sights.

[larrymeyer]

I read it on Yahoo

[Mity2]

I hope this only applys to high powered laser device(such as type of DPSS lasers, also called DPSSFD, diode pumped solid state frequency-doubled) that has an output of greater than 1mW. Which is usualy used for green laser pointer.


With that being said, i can see how dangerous it can be.

I found image of FAA Simulation of temporary flash blindness caused by flash of green lasers shined at pilot on landing approch

for this simulation, Light level 50 μW/cm² a legal 1 mW laser pointer at 350 feet was used.