Laws on using laser sights?

[SigSauer226]

Are there any? A friend told me the other day that a guy he works with mentioned to him that if you are caught using a laser sight you can be arrested.

I thought it sounded like a load of BS considering you can buy guns with laser grips already installed.

Also i should mention my friend lives in ohio. So i guess my real question is do some states allow laser and others do not?

Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[General Geoff]

Completely ridiculous. Far as I know, laser sights are 100% legal in all fifty states.



edit; laser sights in and of themselves can be dangerous if you intentionally aim them at someone's eyes. In this case their use could be constituted as assault or some other crime.

[Policraticus]

As far as I know lasers on a firearm are 100% legal. However using lasers to blind drivers, pilots, and the like is highly illegal.

[gnbrotz]

One scenario where I could see someone being "arrested for using a laser" would be if you presented your weapon when not threatened and "lit someone up" with the laser. Such an act against a party that gave no provocation could possible construed as reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, etc.

But as far as having a laser installed on a firearm and using it legitimately, there is nothing in PA that prohibits the possession or use of such equipment.

Bottom line is that it's more about the use than the device itself.

[General Geoff]

One scenario where I could see someone being "arrested for using a laser" would be if you presented your weapon when not threatened and "lit someone up" with the laser. Such an act against a party that gave no provocation could possible construed as reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, etc.

That's not even so much use of the laser sight, as much as aiming a firearm at someone without provocation. Threat of deadly force or some such. The laser is just incidental, from a legal perspective.

[MTechnik]

A kid was arrested for shining a green laser at nearby flying helicopters.

Ahh, google is my friend (and there have been a few incidents):

http://www.examiner.com/x-23328-True...ice-helicopter
http://westorlandonews.com/2010/01/2...at-helicopter/
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news...ser-at-pd-helo

But for just shining a laser randomly? nope.
I'm sure you could be arrested for intentionally trying to blind someone by lasering their eyeball, but that would just be bassic assault and battery.

[thefirstndsecond]

Possibly get in trouble if the laser is attached to firearm and you point it or light up some one.

Also lasers do damage eyes.. so.. I would think more so on usage than attachment.

[wa3ra]

It is illegal (federal, don't have the code handy right now) to light up an aircraft; many states have laws against lighting up vehicles with a visible laser, although apparently IR and UV are OK for speed measurements.

Some of us hams use some pretty powerful lasers for communications (my big 535 nM one has a 12" tube), but even a 5 milliwatt pointer can be hazardous to eyes.

If you light someone up with a mounted sight....see rule 2.

[BradenM4]

I've never heard of any laws against using laser sights.

[Germothy]

it's a big no-no for hunting, but not for self-defense