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Laser Pointers Classed as Weapons in Australia

Posted by timothy on from the conflating-objects-and-uses dept.

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.

10 of 491 comments (clear)

  1. The laser pointers will look harmless by antifoidulus · · Score: 5, Funny

    compared to the chaos that will ensue after the cats of Australia have found out what lawmakers have done with their favorite toy and rise up as one to slay them.

    --
    Monstar L
    1. Re:The laser pointers will look harmless by cryptodan · · Score: 2, Funny

      This is what the new war will look like: Lazer Cat is firing his lazer - http://www.olivepixel.com/misc/lj/lc.jpg

  2. First they disarmed the wookies by The+Famous+Druid · · Score: 3, Funny

    and I stayed silent.

    Then they disarmed the ewoks, and I stayed silent.

    Then they came to disarm me, and there was no-one left to speak up.

    --
    Quidquid Latine dictum sit, altum videtur (anything said in Latin sounds important)
  3. You cat harasser by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I bought a "extra bright" laser pointer from Edmond Scientific. It turns out it's a Class IIIa with about 5mWatts of output. Most others have substantially less. I'm still vary careful about using it around reflective surfaces and no matter how fun it is, I won't harrass my cats with it.

    So unless you have in fact harassed your cats with it, how would you know how fun it is to do it? Explain that one, you CAT HARASSER!

  4. Guns don't kill people by OeLeWaPpErKe · · Score: 4, Funny

    Laser pointers do !

  5. Re:It's only class 3 and 4 lasers by ColaMan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Only point it up.

    I believe that's the problem they're trying to address.

    --

    You are in a twisty maze of processor lines, all alike.
    There is a lot of hype here.
  6. Re:Lawful reason by MrNaz · · Score: 5, Funny

    Will my tank full of sharks count as a "lawful reason"?

    --
    I hate printers.
  7. Oblig. by tick-tock-atona · · Score: 4, Funny

    Homer: A high powered laser is not a weapon, Marge, it's a tool. Like a butcher's knife or a harpoon, or... or an alligator.

  8. They just need a warning label by jamesh · · Score: 4, Funny

    They just need a warning label, like 'Warning: Do not point laser at remaining pilot'.

  9. Re:Lawful reason by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Does he still have your shoe lodged in a sensitive part of his anatomy? I mean, that'd only be a fair exchange.