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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.

3 of 491 comments (clear)

  1. Re:While we're at it.. by ta+bu+shi+da+yu · · Score: 0, Troll

    Better idea: let's implement draconian wire tap and search & seizure laws, then create a massive database of where and when our citizens are calling. Heck, while we are about it, why don't we setup free speech zones and ignore any pretense at privacy for the individual citzen. That'll show those terrorists!

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  2. Re:makes no sense by Whiteox · · Score: 0, Troll

    You're an idiot again.

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  3. Re:The root of the problem ... by crypticlogic · · Score: 0, Troll

    Australians simply have, being descended from deported criminals, certain inborn criminal tendencies which now reveal themselves in the abuse of laser pointers against trauma helicopters. So it's clearly unsafe to let them get their hands on one.

    I think the real problem is not the inbreeding but the cross-bbreading with sheep that does the real damage.