Nice to know Congress is working on important stuff like this...

[Perky]

House Bans Laser-Pointing at Planes

By JIM ABRAMS
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- People who shine laser pointers at airplanes could face up to five years in prison under legislation approved Tuesday by the House.

The use of cheap, hand-held laser pens "presents an imminent threat to aviation security and passenger safety," said House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., before the voice vote to pass the measure.

Rep. Ric Keller, R-Fla., sponsor of the legislation, said that since 1990 the Federal Aviation Administration has reported more than 500 incidents of pilots being blinded or disoriented by laser beams.

Keller held up a laser pointer he said could be purchased for $12 at Staples that he said had the power to cause vision problems for pilots from a distance of two miles.

The National Transportation Safety Board has documented two instances in which pilots sustained eye injuries and were incapacitated during critical phases of a flight.

Last year, a 39-year-old man from Parsippany, N.J., was sentenced under a provision of the USA Patriot Act to two years of probation for shining a laser pointer at a landing airplane, causing both pilots to briefly lose night vision. The plane, carrying six passengers, was at an altitude of about 3,000 feet when the beam hit the cockpit window. It landed safely.

The man's lawyer argued that his client had no ties to terrorism and should not be subject to provisions of the Patriot Act.

While most incidents of laser blindings have been linked to pranksters, law enforcement agencies have cited evidence that terrorists have explored using lasers as weapons.

A similar bill passed the House in the last session of Congress, but was not taken up by the Senate.

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The bill is H.R. 1615

[BobRossi]

1. Laser Pointer bad, deranged dictator in WH good.

Our elected DINOs hard at work.

[AndyA]

2. I don't think that people should mess around in any way with aircraft

taking off or landing, but I just don't see how one of these laser things could be so bothersome.

I have one I use to play with my Cats. They love it. I know you aren't supposed to shine it directly in their eyes, but I just don't see how a little laser pointer could have much effect 3,000 feet up in the sky. :shrug:

[LostinVA]

7. Pilots have said they interfere with their night vision

[LostinVA]

3. Why isn't this important?

If I'm flying in a plane, I don't want some idiot being a jerk and endangering my life and the life of others.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Do you really believe these laser pointers can project that high up?

I don't.

[Lobster Martini]

8. Not impossible

I believe that the range of a Class 3a laser is roughly half a mile, which is roughly 2,600 feet, and Class 3a lasers can do some damage. Hard to believe that the exposure would be more than a fraction of a second but on the weird chance that it occurs, it could cause flashblindness--like looking into a flashbulb--or afterimage--seeing spots. I'd prefer that my pilot not have either.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. I had one in my classroom for a year or so

And it didn't hit the chalkboard from 20 feet away.

[Lobster Martini]

11. Some inexpensive pointers use Class 2 lasers

The eye is less sensitive to the wavelength. They aren't very bright, but they're safer than Class 3a laser pointers.

[Perky]

12. bUT YOU HAVE TO HIT THE PLANE WINDSHIELD 3000 FT UP AND

TRAVELING AT 300 MILES AN HOUR........Cmon.

[AndyA]

9. I would think that clouds, pollution, dust, etc., would reduce their

effective distance substantially.

When I play with my Cats, it does fine when aimed straight down the hallway, but there aren't any interferences.

I would never consider doing such a thing, as you'd jeopardize the lives of everyone on that plane if something did happen. I guess if the plane were almost on the ground, and you were nearby on the top of a building, or something, you might cause a problem... :shrug:

[skyblue]

4. laser pointers cause vision problems for pilots-- scary stuff!! then I agree with Conyers

Better safe than sorry. sounds like the concerns of the NTSB and FAA are legit.

[TahitiNut]

5. Shhhh! Don't tell al Qua'eda!

:eyes:

[eppur_se_muova]

13. Um, this IS important stuff. Anyone who's ever worked w/lasers ...

would recognize the danger. The fact that pilots are reporting these incidents should be sufficient cause for action.

You don't have to hit someone's eye for more than a fraction of a second to temporarily wipe out their night vision, so you don't even have to aim very well -- just wave the beam around near the target for several seconds, and you're likely to get lucky for the split-second it takes. They don't have to be very smart at all to be dangerous.

[Deja Q]

14. Some children bully other children in the same way.

How many years will they get?

(try for 100.)