This gem from today's arrest reports: Police arrested a 20-year-old Victoria man at the Crossroads Apartments for using a laser pointer. The man aimed a pointer at one of the officer's chests, then ran after they saw him. My first thought on reading this was training a little red dot on a police officer's chest is neither bright nor responsible. But really, is it a crime? Turns out, it is! The penal code addresses this in the chapter about disorderly conduct: Sec. 42.13. USE OF LASER POINTERS. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly directs a light from a laser pointer at a uniformed safety officer, including a peace officer, security guard, firefighter, emergency medical service worker, or other uniformed municipal, state, or federal officer.
(b) In this section, "laser pointer" means a device that emits a visible light amplified by the stimulated emission of radiation.
(c) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Folks, you've been warned.
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Given the fact that there are laser gunsights, this idiot is lucky that the police officer did not assume a gunsight rather than a pointer, and fire in self defense. Although, on reflection, that would be a form of poetic justice, giving stupidity the reward it so richly deserves.
October 26, 2009 at 12:25 p.m.My son and I were at Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trades (S.H.O.T.)in Dallas when he noticed a red laser dot on my forehead. Fortunately for some idiot, he couldn't find the source and didn't tell me about it until later. Rusty'd've probably raised enough hades to had that nitwit thrown out of the show. Him and the vendor of the laser.
October 26, 2009 at 12:21 a.m.Tuesday, January 4, 2005 Posted: 6:33 PM EST (2333 GMT)
NEWARK, New Jersey (CNN) -- A New Jersey man was released on $100,000 bail Tuesday after federal authorities accused him of pointing a laser beam at two aircraft last week.
David Banach, 38, of Parsippany, surrendered Tuesday morning on charges of interfering with the operation of a mass transit vehicle and making false statements to federal agents.
He told them he was pointing the green laser beam at stars with his 7-year-old daughter on the family's raised deck, Longarzo said.
October 24, 2009 at 6:10 p.m.He admitted his involvement in both incidents after a polygraph test and further questioning, according to an FBI affidavit
It is against federal law to intentionally shine a laser beam at a commercial airline flight.
Conviction carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison and a $15,000 fine
Besides the obvious concern that an officer would have, as to whether the dot was from a pointer or from a laser aiming device on a firearm, there is also the issue of damage to the retina if a laser is directed into the eye.
October 23, 2009 at 9:20 p.m.The law says uniformed officers. I'd take that at face value.
October 23, 2009 at 5:16 p.m.Can you point one at people other than uniformed officers?
October 23, 2009 at 5:13 p.m.Ridiculous law? Not at all.
I am not in LE, but I have had a laser pointer pointed at me, when I walked out the door onto my porch, from about 100 yards away by some kids I didn't know.
Even for me, it was not a comfortable experience.
Wasn't there a incident of laser pointers shined at airliners on landing approach,that made national news a few years ago?
October 23, 2009 at 4:35 p.m.This was placed in the Texas Statutes during the 78th regular session in 2003. Author was Rep Elvira Reyna-D (Austin), coauthor was Rep Aaron Pena-D (Edinburg), sponsor was Senator Bob Deuell-R (Mesquite).
This is a riduculous law. These so-called lawmakers should have been more focused on real issues.
October 23, 2009 at 4:22 p.m.Yes. He was arrested.
October 23, 2009 at 3:49 p.m.Not to mention Leslie that that apartment complex is a rough, criminal area too. I would be afraid of anything being pointed at me there. Even if it were not a crime to laser point at a uniformed federal/state or municipal person it should be a special law there. That place is the worst of the worst. I hope they caught him! He needs to be disciplined, 20 years old acting like 2 what is this world coming to he knew what he was trying to do!!!!
October 23, 2009 at 3:13 p.m.