Laser Pointers Now Considered Controlled Weapons in Australia
It seems the disturbingly common incidents we've seen in the US relating to improper laser pointer usage and the resulting arrests of those doing the pointing aren't exactly limited to the states. In Western Australia, such offenses have become so common that laser pointers have been classified as a "controlled weapon," meaning improper use could result in a $4,000 AU (about $3,700 U.S.) fine or 12 months in prison.From the Herald Sun
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bryan Halco @ Apr 16th 2008 4:00PM
FIRST!!!
Rupert @ Apr 21st 2008 10:07AM
Switched? Is this the stupid person version of Engadget?
Your on board? of another piece of pointless legislation?
You really think that someone can point a laser at both the pilot and the co-pilot within seconds of each other and cause a crash?
That's a plane traveling at 180 - 300 mph, and probably with the nose pointing up slightly so you would have to be at least 10 miles in front of the plane. Not to mention the glass in the way which would reflect the majority of the light at that angle?
Seen any hand held lasers latterly brighter than the sun? No? Well how about just using a mirror? Would that not be 10,000 times brighter? Lets ban mirrors then, oh and glass for that matter. All those reflective windscreens on cars must be removed!
Rupert, BPhys
Another way @ Apr 24th 2008 3:12AM
As lasers by their very function produce a very narrow spectrum of light it would be very easy to put filters on the windows of aircraft and helecopters to stop laser wavelengths at common frequencies