By now, most everyone knows that there are laws against shining laser pointers at planes, or shining them in peoples' eyes. Regulated sales. Note that manufacturing a projector could simply include putting scanners or a diffracting glass in front of a general-purpose laser. %PDF-1.7 An authorized individual in the conduct of research and development or flight test operations conducted by an aircraft manufacturer, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other person authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct research and development or flight test operations. ORDINANCE NO. Comprehensive state standards relating to laser safety matters currently exist in ten states. LX? Terms of Service apply. ", MISSOURI: Aiming a laser at a uniformed safety officer, MISSOURI, city of Springfield: Restrictions on possession, use, MISSOURI, city of Joplin: Restrictions on possession, use, NEVADA: Directing laser light with intent to interfere with an aircraft, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Illegal to shine a laser at an occupied aircraft, vehicle, window or at a person, NEW JERSEY, town of Ocean City (2011): Ban on laser pointer sales and possession, NEW JERSEY: Oct. 2013 - Governor vetos bill to ban laser pointer sales over 1 mW, On October 17 2013, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoed proposed bill A3169/S418, passed by the legislature 106-8, that would have banned the sale of laser pointers over 1 milliwatt. Nothing in this ordinance shall be deemed to preclude the legitimate use of laser pointing devices by law enforcement personnel in the discharge of their duties. In most countries, the purchase and ownership of lasers are legal. But if a child is using the laser pointer, it will typically require supervision. Laser shows and displays used outdoors trigger special requirements from the FDA. In the most notorious case, on January 4, 2005, New Jersey stargazer David Banach was . (b) "Laser pointer" means a hand-held device that uses light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation to emit a beam of light that is visible to the human eye. by inserting after paragraph XIII the following new paragraph: by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph: SECTION 1. Restrictions on the use of laser pointers - LawServer Military and state use | Laser Pointer Safety - Statistics, laws, and Weve also updated our Privacy Notice. ZIP Sec. In theory this can work if the laser power and beam divergence are at a known, fixed value that cannot be exceeded. (signed by the Mayor and Council President)The above Ordinance was passed by the Council of Ocean City, New Jersey, at a meeting of said Council held on 23rd day ofJune, 2011 and was taken up for a second reading and final Passage at a meeting of said Council held on the 14th day of July, 201l in Council Chambers, City Hall, Ocean City, New Jersey at 7:00 o'clock in the evening. Sec. To the Senate:Pursuant to Article V, Section I, Paragraph 14 of the New Jersey Constitution, I am returning Senate Bill No. Code 1981, 16-11-45 , enacted by Ga. L. 2012, p. 1142, 2/SB 441. Legally you cannot use Class 3B or Class 4 laser equipment for public/commercial displays until your variance has been approved by the FDA. (1) As used in subsection (2), the term "laser lighting device" means a handheld device, not affixed to a firearm, which emits a laser beam that is designed to be used by the operator as a pointer or highlighter to indicate, mark, or identify a specific position, place, item, or object. Legal Interpretation of 14 CFR 91.11, Interference with a Crewmember via Laser. S.A. Police: Not illegal. about FindLaws newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. Laser pointers or devices that are used illegally are contraband, and subject to immediate confiscation, in addition to any other law enforcement action. California states it is a criminal offense to use a stun gun or Taser on a peace officer. If you buy a commercially-available laser projector for home use, you appear to need a variance before the seller can turn over the projector to you. 1. US: Illegal to aim laser pointer beams at aircraft or their flight path; up to 5 years in prison and up to $250,000 fine [The language below was signed into law by President Obama on February 14 2012. Lasers in the unlawful possession of minors are subject to immediate confiscation as contraband, in addition to any other law enforcement action. . endobj US: FDA information for laser pointer manufacturers, In 2017 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a webpage with ", US: FDA proposes changes to Federal Laser Performance Standard, US: FDA proposes allowing only red laser pointers. Each year, Ocean City experiences incidents in which a vessel, plane or helicopter is illegally targeted with a laser pointer operated in Ocean City, and often purchased in Ocean City. (F) This section does not apply to an individual selling, purchasing, or possessing a laser device that is used in connection with any firearm or implement of archery. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute, sale or barter, any laser pointer or device to any adult except under the following conditions:----- (1) Any distribution of any laser pointer or device shall be verified by the manufacturer's or distributor's technical specifications confirming that the pointer or device is not more than 1 milliwatt, and the proof of wattage as shown by the technical specifications which must be maintained by the merchant, to be available upon demand of law enforcement. For example, New Jersey has enacted stringent penalties that criminalize aiming laser pointers at any vehicle, including an airplane. State vs. Federal Court. for Devices and Radiological Health (21CFR 1040.10 and If you buy a pre-made laser projector, it should already have been reported to FDA, and received an Accession Number from FDA. Laser pointers or devices offered for distribution, sale or barter that do not have the proper proof of wattage limitations are subject to immediate confiscation as contraband. Sept. 1, 2003. Registration of Nonionizing Radiation Sources and Standards for Protection Against Nonionizing Radiation. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH PROVIDING THAT THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH BE AMENDED BY REVISING CHAPTER 16 "OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS" ARTICLE I, "IN GENERAL," SECTION 16 TO REGULATE THE USE OF LASER DEVICES.BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA, IN COUNCIL DULY ASSEMBLED, THAT:WHEREAS, laser pointers are small handheld devices, usually battery operated, equipped with a laser diode emitting a very narrow laser beam of visible light, intended to be used to highlight something of interest by illuminating it with a small bright spot of colored light; andWHEREAS, laser pointers are often used in educational and business presentations for visual demonstrations as a pointing device, are useful in the construction setting, and for certain gun sights; however, if they are aimed at a person's eyes, they can cause temporary disturbances to vision, and in some cases permanent retinal damage; andWHEREAS, when pointed at aircraft at night, laser pointers may cause spatial disorientation, and otherwise dazzle and distract pilots at critical times, and have been used maliciously to distract or annoy individuals on the ground as well as in the air; andWHEREAS, recently there has been a proliferation of lasers in the marketplace, particularly higher powered lasers of greater than 1 milliwatt output and brighter color (e.g. PDF Inspection Checklist: Laser Pointers - nyc.gov A whopping 90 percent of green laser pointers in the study were not in compliance with the CFR regulations, compared to 44 percent of red laser pointers, according to the study. Is It Illegal to Point Lasers at Airplanes? | LegalMatch The illegal use of laser pointers creates risks and dangers for those targeted by the beam of the laser, as well as for the citizens of Ocean City. Possession by minors unlawful; exception. All laser pointers that are available to the Australian public must have a radiant power output of less than 1 milliwatt. A person who violates this act shall be subject to a penalty of not more than $500 for the first offense and not more than $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed thirty (30) days, in the [sic -- missing word?] Chapter 784 Section 062 - 2011 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate 1 0 obj A minor may not be detained, taken into custody, arrested, placed in jail or in any other secure facility, committed to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice, or found to be in contempt of court for a violation of this subsection.-- (4) A violation of this subsection is not grounds for denying, suspending, or revoking an individual's participation in a state college or university financial assistance program including, but not limited to, a Life Scholarship, a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, or a need-based grant.-- (5) Any laser device possessed by a minor in violation of this subsection must be confiscated. TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 77 TO TITLE 39 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE SALE, POSSESSION, AND USE OF CERTAIN LASER POINTING DEVICES UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS, EXEMPTIONS, AND REMEDIES.Amend Title To ConformBe it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:Whereas, laser pointers are small, handheld devices, usually battery operated, equipped with a laser diode emitting a very narrow laser beam of visible light, intended to be used to highlight something of interest by illuminating it with a small bright spot of colored light; andWhereas, laser pointers are often used in educational and business presentations for visual demonstrations as a pointing device, are useful in the construction setting, and for certain gun sights; however, if they are aimed at a person's eyes, they can cause temporary disturbances to vision, and in some cases permanent retinal damage; andWhereas, when pointed at aircraft at night, laser pointers may dazzle and distract pilots at critical times, and have been used maliciously to distract or annoy individuals on the ground as well as in the air; andWhereas, due to their appeal as a recreational device and low cost to manufacture, there has been a recent proliferation of lasers in the marketplace, particularly higher powered lasers of greater than one milliwatt output which feature brighter colors; andWhereas, especially because of these higher powered lasers, with the resulting increase in their intensity and range, and extra potential hazard when pointed at objects and people, there also has been a dramatic escalation in the number of incidents in which damaging laser beams are being directed at people and aircraft; andWhereas, the United States Coast Guard, Charleston Sector, has reported several recent cases where pilots were forced to land their aircraft and abort missions during search and rescue operations after being hit with laser beams that are particularly debilitating when the pilot is wearing night vision equipment; andWhereas, during the summer of 2012, there were more than seventy reported incidents of aircraft being hit by lasers in and around the Myrtle Beach International Airport alone; andWhereas, it is the will of the General Assembly to provide for the public's health, safety, and welfare through the regulation of the sale, possession, and use of laser pointing devices.