Laser Pointers Classed as Weapons in Australia

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.

Comments

Re:It's only class 3 and 4 lasers

[cranos]

But then I guess that's the difference between a country of free people who had to earn that freedom by force, versus a country full of quavering subjects who've been taught, as a culture, that they're not to be trusted.

You have looked at the US government lately haven't you? Just wanted to make sure you weren't looking into some sort of alternate universe US, where things like imprisonment without trial and warrantless phone tapping are considered "bad things" by the government.

As to the cultural difference, it's not about whether we can be trusted or not, it's about not glorifying the great holy handgun.

Re:It's only class 3 and 4 lasers

[Man On Pink Corner]

Don't change the subject.

Re:It's only class 3 and 4 lasers

[ta bu shi da yu]

When you say "gay" do you mean the laser is very happy or do mean that the boy laser likes other boy lasers? If the laser is very happy, how can that be a laser is an inanimate object and if the laser likes other boy lasers then thats stupid because a laser isn't a person. I like lasers they are cool and I like pointing them at the wall while my cat tries to catch it but can't hahahaha stupid cat its only a laser