Bill On Pointing Lasers Gets Senate Approval - Tallahassee, FL

AP/WSVN Miami ^ | 3-16-05

[STARWISE]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)3-16-05 -- A bill making it a third degree felony to aim a laser beam at an operating plane, train or car was approved today by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.

The bill is inspired by the recent incidents of pilots reporting lasers being aimed into cockpits over other states.

Pointing a laser at a car would be a third degree felony and carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

It would be a second degree felony if someone is injured and a first degree felony if someone is killed.

National Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said earlier this year that there have been about 400 reports of lasers being pointed at planes since 1990.

Senator Jim Sebesta says that there haven't been problems with people pointing lasers at cars in Florida.

He says his legislation is designed to head that off at the pass.

[STARWISE]

Is there not a federal law yet?

[quantim]

A bill making it a third degree felony to aim a laser beam at an operating plane

Weak.  There is a liberal stink fest behind this.  What about the first degree?

[FoxInSocks]

a third degree felony to aim a laser beam at an operating plane, train or car

What about people on bicycles or boats? They should outlaw anything that emits photons, including household lightbulbs.

Speaking of which, how many congressional dimbulbs does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

[ARCADIA]

Speaking of which, how many congressional dimbulbs does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

There are only 500 of them; its a good thing they have a staff.

[STARWISE]

Pointing a laser at a car would be a third degree felony and carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

It would be a second degree felony if someone is injured and a first degree felony if someone is killed.

[ARCADIA]

Pointing a laser at a car would be a third degree felony and carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

...and, within a couple of months, the headlines will read:

6 year-old Jessica faces up to five years in prison for pointing her $2 key-chain bob at a passing car. ...

Yup, it makes me feel safer. How about you?

[OmegaMan]

Has anyone actually wrecked because of this? Seems like alot of hysteria to me.

[IncredibleHulk]

I've had the laser mode on my radar detector go off a couple of times when there were no police near. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean that it isn't happening.

hulkster

[quantim]

first degree felony if someone is killed.

And a plane load of dead folks or ground victims will therefore qualify for what?  Senate hearings?  Sorry, JMO but if you are pointing deliberately lasers at airliners then one has made the decision to meet his maker.

[babygene]

The cops use a laser gadget to clock your speed sometimes... Suppose they point it at your car?

[Toto_for_breakfast]

MOOOOOM! Timmy's pointing at me and he won't stop!

[claudiustg]

---The cops use a laser gadget to clock your speed sometimes... Suppose they point it at your car?---

They have to arrest themselves and call for backup.

[Sonny M]

Has anyone actually wrecked because of this?

Planes have had problems, but no fatalities yet, but the concern is really terrorists using the laser pointers to take down planes.

On a personal note, one of my friends was driving his car when some punk kid aimed the laser pointer at him, he didn't crash, but was stunned for a few seconds, it turns out they can damage your eyes.

That punk kid thought it was funny, but was to stupid to start running, and slow, my friend caught him, and tossed him a beating.

[ARCADIA]

That punk kid thought it was funny, but was to stupid to start running, and slow, my friend caught him, and tossed him a beating.

It was nice of your friend to contribute to his education. Many of us, placed the same situation, might have been blinded by the light, swerved out of control, and accidentally driven over the little punk. ;-)

[Sonny M]

Many of us, placed the same situation, might have been blinded by the light, swerved out of control, and accidentally driven over the little punk. ;-)

He actually stopped the car, from what he said (I've never stared directly at a laser pointer in the eye), he couldn't see for a moment and it did mess with his eyes, and the way he makes it sound, I doubt he would have been able to run the kid over, even if he had wanted to do it, but there was a good chance he could have crashed into another car or person.

[clee1]

Pointing a laser at a car would be a third degree felony and carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

There goes police use of lasers to detect speeders. COOL!