Australia: Tasmania proposes laser pointer ban
Tue, Oct 13 2009 Filed in: Bans & Restrictions
The Tasmanian state government introduced legislation to ban unlawful possession of laser pointers in public places.
The move was a result of "a number of incidents" where high-powered pointers had been used to target aircraft.
The amendment to the Police Offenders Act would make it illegal to intentionally direct a laser beam at any person, animal, vehicle or aircraft. "The proposed offenses related to all laser pointers but did not include their use by surveyors, astronomers, medical professionals and those in the construction and mining industries."
More details are available from The Examiner
The move was a result of "a number of incidents" where high-powered pointers had been used to target aircraft.
The amendment to the Police Offenders Act would make it illegal to intentionally direct a laser beam at any person, animal, vehicle or aircraft. "The proposed offenses related to all laser pointers but did not include their use by surveyors, astronomers, medical professionals and those in the construction and mining industries."
More details are available from The Examiner
Australia: National ban on high-powered laser pointers
Sat, Jun 14 2008 Filed in: Bans & Restrictions
Minister for Police Paul Holloway said today [14 June 2008] Federal, State and Territory Police Ministers meeting in Sydney have agreed to a national approach to combat a spate of high-powered laser attacks on aircraft. Mr Holloway says he will immediately seek to update State laws to include high-powered lasers with a greater output of one milliwatt on the South Australian Schedule of Prohibited Weapons.
“The State Government and South Australia Police consider the misuse of these laser pointers to be an issue of potential danger to the public,” Mr Holloway says. “These high-powered lasers can be incredibly harmful, particularly if shone into the cockpits of aeroplanes or cabins of other high-powered vehicles, potentially leading to widespread damage and even death.”
Read More...
“The State Government and South Australia Police consider the misuse of these laser pointers to be an issue of potential danger to the public,” Mr Holloway says. “These high-powered lasers can be incredibly harmful, particularly if shone into the cockpits of aeroplanes or cabins of other high-powered vehicles, potentially leading to widespread damage and even death.”
Read More...
Australia: Pointers to be banned in the ACT
Wed, Jun 11 2008 Filed in: Bans & Restrictions
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government will ban high-powered laser pointers under the Prohibited Weapons Act of 1996, Minister for Police and Emergency Services Simon Corbell announced today.
“These amendments will make it an offense to possess or use powerful handheld laser pointers and are consistent with other jurisdictions that have moved to prohibit these items,” Corbell said in a statement. “Police will have the power to apprehend and prosecute a person who uses a laser pointer to target aircraft or vehicles.
Read More...
“These amendments will make it an offense to possess or use powerful handheld laser pointers and are consistent with other jurisdictions that have moved to prohibit these items,” Corbell said in a statement. “Police will have the power to apprehend and prosecute a person who uses a laser pointer to target aircraft or vehicles.
Read More...
New York Times: Taking on "laser lunatics"
Mon, Apr 21 2008 Filed in: Bans & Restrictions
In a New York Times blog called “The Lede”, Mike Nizza gives an overview of laser incidents and proposed laws. Two excerpts:
And now handheld laser pointers have earned a place alongside guns in Australia’s most populous state.
A new law proposed today by the premier of New South Wales declares possession of the handheld lasers a serious crime, punishable by up to 14 years in prison, depending on the device’s power. Weaker lasers could carry a $5,000 fine or 2 years in jail, and there would be exemptions only for teachers, construction crews and the scientists who point out the stars on planetarium ceilings.
...
This all may sound vaguely familiar: the United States went through a similar fit in 2005. Then, the Federal Aviation Administration reported an astounding 287 cases of cockpits hit with laser beams, and the House of Representatives proposed a law against pointing the devices at planes , with fines up to $250,000 and prison terms up to five years.
The full blog post is at the New York Times Read More...
And now handheld laser pointers have earned a place alongside guns in Australia’s most populous state.
A new law proposed today by the premier of New South Wales declares possession of the handheld lasers a serious crime, punishable by up to 14 years in prison, depending on the device’s power. Weaker lasers could carry a $5,000 fine or 2 years in jail, and there would be exemptions only for teachers, construction crews and the scientists who point out the stars on planetarium ceilings.
...
This all may sound vaguely familiar: the United States went through a similar fit in 2005. Then, the Federal Aviation Administration reported an astounding 287 cases of cockpits hit with laser beams, and the House of Representatives proposed a law against pointing the devices at planes , with fines up to $250,000 and prison terms up to five years.
The full blog post is at the New York Times Read More...
Australia: Ban on laser pointers?
Tue, Apr 22 2008 Filed in: Bans & Restrictions
Amateru astronomers, teachers and surveyors will have to justify carrying lasers under new bans aimed at avoiding "mass murder" if aircraft are targeted. New South Wales’ Premier, Morris Iemma, warned that all high-powered lasers would soon be classified as prohibited weapons and carrying any kind of laser - even harmless classroom pointers - without a good reason could result in two years' jail or a $5000 fine.
Critics said the new laws were impractical and accused the Government of failing to back its tough talk with resources for enforcement.
Lasers have become a serious problem for aircraft in Sydney. In the most recent incident, a beam was pointed at an ambulance helicopter at the weekend.
Mr Iemma said banning hand-held lasers would "stop the potential for mass murder. I cannot underestimate the … catastrophic consequences if a plane is brought down by one of these fools, these idiots, these reckless individuals who want to use these high-powered hand-held lasers and think it's a joke."
Full story at the Sydney Morning Herald Read More...
Critics said the new laws were impractical and accused the Government of failing to back its tough talk with resources for enforcement.
Lasers have become a serious problem for aircraft in Sydney. In the most recent incident, a beam was pointed at an ambulance helicopter at the weekend.
Mr Iemma said banning hand-held lasers would "stop the potential for mass murder. I cannot underestimate the … catastrophic consequences if a plane is brought down by one of these fools, these idiots, these reckless individuals who want to use these high-powered hand-held lasers and think it's a joke."
Full story at the Sydney Morning Herald Read More...
Australia: Six planes targeted in "cluster attack"
Sat, Mar 29 2008 Filed in: Aircraft incidents
Six planes had to alter their flight paths into Sydney airport after pilots were targeted in an unprecedented laser "cluster attack', authorities say.
Air traffic controllers had to close one flight approach late on Friday, after up to four people targeted planes with lasers in an apparently co-ordinated attack. Pilots reported a number of green lasers were trained on their planes for about 15 minutes, from 10.30pm (AEDT). The lasers appeared to have originated from the Bexley area, in south-western Sydney.
"This was the worst attack in our experience," Air Services Australia spokesman Bryan Nicholson has told Fairfax News. "It was described by the pilots as a cluster attack which implies some sort of co-ordination or organisation."
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) said such laser attacks on planes were increasing in frequency. "There are five to six reports every week around Australia," CASA spokesman Peter Gibson told Fairfax. "It is extremely dangerous as it can temporarily blind a pilot or distract them as they are coming in to land."
The maximum penalty for shining a laser at a plane is two years in jail.
From the Herald Sun Read More...
Air traffic controllers had to close one flight approach late on Friday, after up to four people targeted planes with lasers in an apparently co-ordinated attack. Pilots reported a number of green lasers were trained on their planes for about 15 minutes, from 10.30pm (AEDT). The lasers appeared to have originated from the Bexley area, in south-western Sydney.
"This was the worst attack in our experience," Air Services Australia spokesman Bryan Nicholson has told Fairfax News. "It was described by the pilots as a cluster attack which implies some sort of co-ordination or organisation."
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) said such laser attacks on planes were increasing in frequency. "There are five to six reports every week around Australia," CASA spokesman Peter Gibson told Fairfax. "It is extremely dangerous as it can temporarily blind a pilot or distract them as they are coming in to land."
The maximum penalty for shining a laser at a plane is two years in jail.
From the Herald Sun Read More...
Australia: Six aircraft hit in "coordinated" attack
Sun, Mar 30 2008 Filed in: Aircraft incidents
Six aircraft flying into Sydney Airport have been hit in a co-ordinated attack by blinding green lights in what safety officials say is the city's worst laser attack.
Air traffic controllers closed the approach flight path and diverted incoming aircraft to a different runway on Friday night, forcing some flights to land up to half an hour late.
Air Services Australia said it was the first recorded "cluster attack" in which three or four people used lasers to make a co-ordinated attack on aircraft coming into the airport over heavily populated suburbs.
NSW Police Minister David Campbell vowed yesterday to change the law to classify powerful laser beams as illegal weapons.
"These gutless and cowardly attacks have to be stopped," he said. "I am preparing a proposal to cabinet to consider making these items a prohibited weapon."
Full story is at the Sydney Morning Herald Read More...
Air traffic controllers closed the approach flight path and diverted incoming aircraft to a different runway on Friday night, forcing some flights to land up to half an hour late.
Air Services Australia said it was the first recorded "cluster attack" in which three or four people used lasers to make a co-ordinated attack on aircraft coming into the airport over heavily populated suburbs.
NSW Police Minister David Campbell vowed yesterday to change the law to classify powerful laser beams as illegal weapons.
"These gutless and cowardly attacks have to be stopped," he said. "I am preparing a proposal to cabinet to consider making these items a prohibited weapon."
Full story is at the Sydney Morning Herald Read More...
Australia: Student faces possible life imprisonment
A 26-year-old student faces possible life imprisonment on a charge of “prejudicing the operation of an aircraft” by shining a laser pointer at a Quantas aircraft as it neared Adelaide. He was also charged with “acts to endanger life” and “carrying an offensive weapon”.
Irfan Bozan, a student from Turkey, pointed the laser at aircraft and passing cars.
From ABC (Australian Broadcasting Company) News.
Update: At an August 19 court hearing, Bozan told the court that when he was a soldier in Turkey, he was trained in the use of lasers on weapons. He said the lasers he used during his compulsory 15-month term with the Turkish army were much more powerful. Read More...
Irfan Bozan, a student from Turkey, pointed the laser at aircraft and passing cars.
From ABC (Australian Broadcasting Company) News.
Update: At an August 19 court hearing, Bozan told the court that when he was a soldier in Turkey, he was trained in the use of lasers on weapons. He said the lasers he used during his compulsory 15-month term with the Turkish army were much more powerful. Read More...
Australia: Life sentences possible for "laser pests"
Fri, Aug 28 2009 Filed in: Fines & Jail
Serial pests found guilty of shining powerful laser beams towards planes may face life imprisonment, the Police Minister has warned.
A Brisbane man was last night charged after allegedly shining a green laser beam towards a plane.
It is believed he is the second Queenslander charged under tough laser light regulations introduced last year in Section 26 of the Summary Offences Act.
Police Minister Neil Roberts said speedy police work led authorities to the 20-year-old man in Ashgrove, who allegedly shone a green laser pointer towards the cockpit of the private plane just before 6pm last night.
Under the legislation, alleged offenders face a minimum of two years' jail, although any person found to shine a laser beam with the "intent to cause harm" can face life imprisonment. Read More...
A Brisbane man was last night charged after allegedly shining a green laser beam towards a plane.
It is believed he is the second Queenslander charged under tough laser light regulations introduced last year in Section 26 of the Summary Offences Act.
Police Minister Neil Roberts said speedy police work led authorities to the 20-year-old man in Ashgrove, who allegedly shone a green laser pointer towards the cockpit of the private plane just before 6pm last night.
Under the legislation, alleged offenders face a minimum of two years' jail, although any person found to shine a laser beam with the "intent to cause harm" can face life imprisonment. Read More...
Australia: "Laser fool" sentenced, fined for illuminating police helicopter
A Sydney mechanic who deliberately shone a laser into the eyes of police as they hovered in a helicopter hundreds of metres above homes in Sydney's northwest was yesterday sentenced to six months jail.
Zakary Patrick Babet, of Bella Vista, was yesterday convinced in Hornsby Local Court of interfering with a crew member while in an aircraft.
Magistrate Leslie Brennan called Babet a "fool", and labelled his actions as a "serious" offence.
Read More...
Zakary Patrick Babet, of Bella Vista, was yesterday convinced in Hornsby Local Court of interfering with a crew member while in an aircraft.
Magistrate Leslie Brennan called Babet a "fool", and labelled his actions as a "serious" offence.
Read More...
Australia - 1200 illegal pointers seized
Tue, Sep 02 2008 Filed in: Import seizures
Australian customs officers have seized 1200 high intensity laser pointers in eight weeks, after the ban on importing them without permits. The ban was introduced after numerous "laser attacks" on aircraft, police patrols and others.
"Under the new Customs regulations (introduced July 1), hand-held laser pointers with an emission level greater than one milliwatt (1mW) are prohibited, unless prior written permission has been granted," Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus said.
Read More...
"Under the new Customs regulations (introduced July 1), hand-held laser pointers with an emission level greater than one milliwatt (1mW) are prohibited, unless prior written permission has been granted," Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus said.
Read More...
Australia: Three years jail for aiming laser at helicopter
Tue, Apr 08 2008 Filed in: Aircraft incidents | Fines & Jail
23-year-old Lanfranco Baldetti has been sentenced to almost three years in jail. He was one of the first Australians to be prosecuted for shining a laser at an aircraft.
The South Australian pleaded guilty to prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft. Judge David Smith described Baldetti's actions as a disaster in the making, and sentenced him to two years and 10 months jail, with a non-parole period of 10 months.
Read More...
The South Australian pleaded guilty to prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft. Judge David Smith described Baldetti's actions as a disaster in the making, and sentenced him to two years and 10 months jail, with a non-parole period of 10 months.
Read More...
Australia: Readers comment on laser lout incident
Mon, Aug 13 2007 Filed in: Other incidents
Readers of the Melbourne Herald Sun commented on the “laser lout” incident at a football match. Some selected comments:
“This sort of madness just should not be tolerated - it is at best a risk or blinding an individual, yes, just even a Joe Citizen: at worst it could bring down a plane. Typical of all our soft governments - and our soft judiciaries.”
“A laser in the eyes can permanently blind, these brain dead individuals are not just louts or plain footy fans they are criminals and should be treated as such.... Why the hell does anyone need to carry around a laser light ? They are of no legitimate use to an idiot, except to cause nuisance, they should be classed a concealed weapon and treated accordingly.”
“The practice of directing laser beams at aircraft is incredibly dangerous as is the potential of using these beams in any other situation. There were reports of the same thing happening to footballers at the weekend. The penalties suggested going to the Senate today are insufficient to say the least and should not only cover aircraft but any use of these lasers intended to injure other people.”
Additional comments are at the Melbourne Herald Sun article.
“This sort of madness just should not be tolerated - it is at best a risk or blinding an individual, yes, just even a Joe Citizen: at worst it could bring down a plane. Typical of all our soft governments - and our soft judiciaries.”
“A laser in the eyes can permanently blind, these brain dead individuals are not just louts or plain footy fans they are criminals and should be treated as such.... Why the hell does anyone need to carry around a laser light ? They are of no legitimate use to an idiot, except to cause nuisance, they should be classed a concealed weapon and treated accordingly.”
“The practice of directing laser beams at aircraft is incredibly dangerous as is the potential of using these beams in any other situation. There were reports of the same thing happening to footballers at the weekend. The penalties suggested going to the Senate today are insufficient to say the least and should not only cover aircraft but any use of these lasers intended to injure other people.”
Additional comments are at the Melbourne Herald Sun article.
Australia: Lasers banned at football game; jail possible
Mon, Aug 13 2007 Filed in: Other incidents | Fines & Jail
Football [soccer] fans caught shining laser lights into players' faces during matches will be booted out of grounds.
The league has vowed to work with police and venues to crack down on the problem following at least two incidents in Friday night's Richmond-Collingwood clash.
"The AFL will work with police and our venues to ban anyone caught using laser lights to distract players during the course of a match," said league operations manager Adrian Anderson.
"It's unacceptable for players in a contact sport having something shine in their eyes while playing the game.
A sharp jump in the number of lasers aimed into aircraft cockpits has sparked new laws to allow offenders to be jailed.
The draft laws will be put before the Senate today. The legislation comes as Transport Minister Mark Vaile reported there had been 170 laser incidents in 2007 and the dangerous practice was happening more often.
Read More...
The league has vowed to work with police and venues to crack down on the problem following at least two incidents in Friday night's Richmond-Collingwood clash.
"The AFL will work with police and our venues to ban anyone caught using laser lights to distract players during the course of a match," said league operations manager Adrian Anderson.
"It's unacceptable for players in a contact sport having something shine in their eyes while playing the game.
A sharp jump in the number of lasers aimed into aircraft cockpits has sparked new laws to allow offenders to be jailed.
The draft laws will be put before the Senate today. The legislation comes as Transport Minister Mark Vaile reported there had been 170 laser incidents in 2007 and the dangerous practice was happening more often.
Read More...
NSW: Fine for possession, prison for dangerous use
Wed, Oct 01 2008 Filed in: Bans & Restrictions
New South Wales (Australia) Police Minister Judy Spence said the Bligh Government is taking strong action against the misuse of laser pointers.
Ms Spence said: “This government is committed to cracking down on these reckless and idiotic individuals, and that is why we have previously announced we are introducing new legislation regarding the possession and use of laser pointers.
“Under changes to the Weapons Act which I announced in July, following the Weapons Act Review, it will become an offence to be in possession of a laser pointer, without a reasonable explanation. Read More...
Ms Spence said: “This government is committed to cracking down on these reckless and idiotic individuals, and that is why we have previously announced we are introducing new legislation regarding the possession and use of laser pointers.
“Under changes to the Weapons Act which I announced in July, following the Weapons Act Review, it will become an offence to be in possession of a laser pointer, without a reasonable explanation. Read More...