US: North Myrtle Beach bans sale of lasers over 1 mW, and bans possession by minors in detailed new law

The ordinance begins by pointing out reasons for the law, including “a dramatic escalation recently in the number of incidents in which damaging laser beams are being directed at people and aircraft in Horry County” and 70 incidents in the summer of 2012 where aircraft were lased near Myrtle Beach International Airport.

It states that lasers over 1 milliwatt are considered contraband, with 10 exceptions such as lasers used for legitimate educational or business purposes, and laser gun sights.

Merchants can only sell lasers that are documented to be under 1 milliwatt in output power. The person buying must read and sign a document which begins:

WARNING ON POSSESSION AND USE OF A LASER POINTER OR DEVICE
PARENTS! DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT FOR MINORS!
THIS PRODUCT CAN BE CONSIDERED A WEAPON!

The document goes on in detail to describe eye hazards, distraction hazards to pilots, FAA and South Carolina laws against aiming at aircraft, and the general provisions of the North Myrtle Beach law:

“Any person of 17 years or older who possesses a laser pointer or device unlawfully, or who points a laser beam toward any vehicle, person or animal is subject to a conviction for violation of City ordinance, for assault and battery, and/or for mistreatment of animals, with a $500.00 fine and up to 30 days imprisonment, or both, as well as being civilly liable for any personal injury to a person or animal, or damage to property, that might result from this illegal act.”

The February 18 2013 ordinance is available as a PDF document and is also on LaserPointerSafety.com’s page with U.S. laws.

Tags: US, South Carolina, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Harassment