Laser Pointers Classed as Weapons in Australia 491
An anonymous reader was the first to point to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald which says that New South Wales (of which Sydney is the capital) will prohibit the possession of certain types of laser pointers, defining them as weapons, and make it an offense to carry any laser pointer "without a lawful reason." (Similar coverage at news.com.au) Western Australia apparently beat NSW to the punch, and the federal government of Australia announced earlier this month it will treat laser pointers much like firearms, which, in Australia, is really saying something. The restrictions come as a reaction to incidents (not confined to Australia) in which the lasers were trained on planes, distracting pilots.
Re:It's only class 3 and 4 lasers (Score:3, Interesting)
2. All this talk about lasers being capable of bringing down planes, while serious, is at this stage theoretical. While that gives plenty of people the excuse to keep saying "see, it's harmless" right up until a plane crash is caused by it (at which stage they'll switch to "it's virtually always harmless, just like using forks!"), if you're the poor joe who manages to achieve this feat, expect a 14-year jail sentence (a backup for if the mass-manslaughter charge doesn't stick). If you get caught carrying one without a good reason (seriously, who's going to buy a $900 laser without a good reason.. although I guess some idiots do) you can expect a fine or 3 months in jail. More if you actually use it on an aircraft.
Re:It's only class 3 and 4 lasers (Score:1, Interesting)
Except in Victoria, where you need a special exemption from the governor in council and $120.
I've been injured by one. (Score:5, Interesting)
And perl... it's all but incomprehensible.. oh wait, I learned that after being blinded. I kid I kid.
The thing about the tools who use laser pointers like this is they can be so far away nobody has any idea who they are, where they are, the beam is silent, and about all you can tell is it's over-that-way-somewhere. The bouncers around that night said they'd seen a laser pointer dot bouncing over guests through the evening, but thought nothing of it.
Whether or not they should be banned is one question, but comparing them to screwdrivers, knives, or axes is being a git who doesn't turn their brain on. At least if some bastard had come at me with a knife they'd have been caught, and at the very least been beaten into a pulp by either my friends, or the bouncers.
The laser pointer tools though - anonymous, quiet, pretty much undetectable, and their weapon leaves absolutely no evidence behind of what it was apart from really fucking bright.
Re:Lawful reason (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm with you. I'm an Aussie and I'm fine with the law.
Recent personal experience: I was the first to pull up to a stop light on a 4-lane road, with my wife beside me and my two year old daughter in the back seat. As I put my foot on the brake approaching the intersection I suddenly suffered a complete loss of vision (As IN - WHAT THE F..K??? I CANT SEE. MY EYES? WTF IS WRONG WITH MY EYES!?!?). In the confusion I somehow managed to come to my senses enough to lock the brakes before going through the intersection.
As my eyesight returned and I sat there trying to work out what just happened, I turned to see a 15-16 year old sitting in a car beside me with his mates, laughing their arses off.
I nearly wiped out my whole family - and they thought it was the funniest thing in the world.
The problem was - at the time I had NO IDEA what was happening to me - I didnt know it was a laser pointer until afterwards. At a critical moment I blinked and my eyes didnt work - it FREAKED me out, and this wasnt even one of the lasers that they're banning.
BTW - Yes I got out of the car..and YES, I still have the laser pointer the kid used.
Re:It's only class 3 and 4 lasers (Score:5, Interesting)
What is this all for may I ask? A knee jerk reaction to a vague, potential threat? Because of a "potential to cause mass murder"? How many serial laser pointer killers have there been? In Australia? In the world?
5000$ fines for possesion of non prohibited laser by a unlicensed individual. A possible 14 years in prison for a prohibited laser.
You potentially could spend more time in jail and pay a heavier fine for a laser pointer than heroin, an unlicensed firearm or a hand grenade? That doesn't strike you as... illogical?
That would be a great news story in itself. Man's home searched, found in possession of home made high power laser pointer, gets 14 years in jail. In other news, man convicted of involuntary manslaughter to get 10, parole in 7 and half.
Re:makes no sense (Score:2, Interesting)
If I'm flying VFR and I can't fucking see then I am going I'm going to have an accident.
To be honest this law isn't going to change much, because the problem is they don't know who these morons are, however this should at least stop the sale of the types of lasers which are capable of being used offensively.
What about Class 3a? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Lawful reason (Score:3, Interesting)
I just checked my stock of laser pointers. I don't have any of the super power stuff, just common red classroom pointers. They are all class IIIa devices. Can you even buy a class II pointer? The only class II laser I could find nearby is a bar code scanner. I could see a ban on class 4 lasers and maybe IIIb, but banning IIIa, would eliminate almost all laser pointers. Check your stock.
Re:While we're at it.. (Score:4, Interesting)
The more logical course would be to locate the criminal with a pointer in his hand, and then shoot him dead. Punish that ONE person, not everybody.
Needs a technological solution (Score:5, Interesting)
If laser pointers are this dangerous simply banning them is not going to be much of a deterrent against someone who wants to use one to
I wonder if some kind of coating can be applied to the windows of airliners that can reduce the intensity of laser beams without compromising pilot visibility?
Re:Lawful reason (Score:4, Interesting)
Most issues is with green pointers. Have you considered picking up a pair of laser safety goggles for green lasers? Many narrow band goggles will almost completely block the wavelength so you don't even see it. Demo here;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gagEdCVgRhY [youtube.com]
They work well.
Re:Lawful reason (Score:4, Interesting)
Is that legitimate and lawful enough for you?
Laser importation ban (Score:2, Interesting)
I wonder if it will affect the number of incidents of lasers shined into aircraft cabins
There seems to have been zero investigation as to why people are shining lasers at aircraft at airports, are they local residents angry at noise levels or people looking to (potentially) cause wanton destruction?
Lasers are easy to make. (Score:2, Interesting)
There are plans on the internet for building CO2 Lasers that can burn a hole in a piece of wood that appear to be easier to build, and with much less equipment and money than would be required for building a gun.
A CO2 laser would be easy to transport with a van, where someone could wait for their intended target to exit a building.
Since the ccds used in webcams can see infrared light, a low powered infrared laser could be used to plant a dot on the eyeballs of the target from across the street. The ccd camera mounted on the sights would see the dot, and the nefarious operator could then push a button to send a brief, much more powerful pulse from the CO2 laser to blind the target permanently. Since CO2 lasers output infrared light, the source of the attack would be invisible and silent and not give themselves away. They could wait a minute or so before leisurely driving away.
I'm suprised technology hasn't been used much before by nutjobs, criminals, and wacko groups to carry out dastardly deeds in furtherance of their evil agendas and schemes.
Webcams plus wi-fi cards = remote control robots for cheap. How come someone hasn't driven a Dalek like creation into a bank with a companion bot powered by an electric wheelchair motor carrying a large plastic tub to conduct a robbery?
Here's a possible scenario: The 'Dalek' appears cute and anime-esque to gain entrance to the bank. It's name is Kill-gore. It's followed by a dog-bot ( the one with the big plastic money tub, decorated with 'dog-fur' and likewise cutsey. It's name is Cargo.
Both Kill-gore and Cargo are equipped with web-cams and are controlled via computers connected to the operator by wireless network cards. Possibly they use a local unsecured connection enabling the operator to sit at home and control them over the internet. More likely, they are set up as a lan, with the operator in a van close by. The bots have webcams to see with, and video appears on the operator's screen.
Kill-gore can speak. Voice scrambulation is used to disguise the operator's voice and also to give Kill-gore an menacing robotic tone. It's cutesy facial expression turns evil as well. It's 'eyebrows' turn downward and it's 'eyes' glow red. A gun pops out of the top of it's head, it's voice booms: "THIS IS A ROBBERY! I AM KILL-GORE. MY COMPANION IS CARGO. NOBODY MOVE OR YOU'RE ALL GOING TO BE BLOWN TO BITS!"
Just then two of Kill-gore's panels fall to the floor exposing many pounds of dynamite ringing the bot.
"I AM ARMED AND VERY DANGEROUS ALLOW ME TO DEMONSTRATE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NONCOMPLIANCE"
An apple shoots out of the top of Kill-gore's head and the gun tracks it and shoots it. Another ring shaped panel lifts exposing a ring of gun barrels. The barrels spin menacingly. The people notice that just above the gun barrels, on the robot are stationary 'eye shaped things'. The robot can see all around it.
"IF YOU COMPLY, THEN NOBODY WILL BE HURT. YOU, TELLER, APPROACH MY COMPANION Cargo OR DIE."
The gun trained on the nervous employee, she approaches Cargo.
Kill-gore says: "Inside, you will find a collar. If you do not place it around your neck, you will die, and I will select another to wear it. Your only chance to live is to fasten the collar around your neck."
She retrieves the collar from Cargo's hold and puts it on. A timer begins to count down from twenty minutes.
"The collar is a bomb. If the robbery goes off without a hitch, then it will not explode. You are now on our side. Please ensure everything goes smoothly."
Fill Cargo with money. Do not include any dye packs or other devices in the loot. If they go off, then so do you!"
The teller is assisted to open the big safe and get all the dough. Cargo is filled to the brim.
"Cargo will now exit with the money. When it reaches it's destination, you will all be free to go. If the money fails to arrive, then you all die!"
My Mouse has a Laser Pointer in it! (Score:3, Interesting)
Too bad it can't obliterate assholes who want to lock us all up.
I preferred the "risky" world we lived in in the 90's. Life was worth the hazard.
More people STILL die on freeways than any "terrorist" action, but cars are still legal, and I can't bring shampoo on the plane.
Re:Lawful reason (Score:4, Interesting)
Green lasers (which are the ones at issue here) are used by astronomers and astronomy teachers/students to point out constellations and stars at night. The green beam is visible in air while red beams are not.
Are you telling us that astronomy should be illegal?
Re:makes no sense (Score:1, Interesting)