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.
"It is a gutless and cowardly act that could result in an horrific outcome. It only takes a fraction of a second for a pilot to become temporarily blinded and that could have catastrophic consequences," said state Premier Morris Iemma.
Several pilots have recently reported high-intensity lasers being shone into their cockpits during take-offs and landings, and police recently enlisted intelligence agencies to help combat what papers called "laser lunatics."
The latest incident occurred over Sydney's south at the weekend when an ambulance helicopter was hit by a green beam.
The ban will build on planned national importation controls announce by the federal government earlier this month, treating laser pointers like firearms.
"It's destructive, dangerous behavior which needs a coordinated response across Australia," said Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus.
__________________
Renegade HR: Recruit great people. Inspire them to do amazing things. | http://renegadehr.net
These are the types of ones being used. They aren't the same as the crappy little red pointers, these ones are much much brighter and have a much longer range.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Instead of banning everything, why don't these governments start getting tough with the bastards that cause all the trouble. It's just like the zero tolerance policies. The ones that cause the problem slip by and some innocent schmuck gets thrown in jail. Catch someone shining a laser into a plane's cockpit. Hold the bastard down and give him a sample of the outcome.
__________________ In Fitness & Friendship, MAHLER
______________________________ __________________________ There is no light at the end of the tunnel. You carry the light with you.
Give me a laser pointer and a cat and I'll keep it busy and me entertained for hours.
hahaha... that never fails to amuse me! Michelle's cat goes ape-shit over the laser pointer. Jake (my dog) looks at it for half a second and the goes and grabs his nylabone.
__________________
Renegade HR: Recruit great people. Inspire them to do amazing things. | http://renegadehr.net
Australia - Laser Pointers a Dangerous Weapon
Linear Mode
