|
I am surprised that Peter Ward does not consider these devices a problem. If you are on final approach and you are dazzled by a high powered laser pointer then the consequences are potentially disasterous.
"the acting president of the Australian and International Pilots Association, Mike Glynn, welcomed the ban, saying the problem had become serious over the past two years. "It's not an overreaction - there's real potential to cause a problem."..."
It is a typical situation - laser pointers are legal to own and use. The current laws are ineffective to prosecute the small number of idiots who start misusing them, who then create a problem for legitimate users. A small number of idiots spoil it for everyone.
The problem of misuse can only get worse. The government is doing the right thing in attempting to do something about it. No-one else here appears to have a suggestion on how this misuse can be stopped. It is clear that the difficulty of catching someone in the act would necessitate wide powers of search and seizure.
I could also envisage the scenario of a number of terrorists using a battery of them to bring down an aircraft on final appraoch.
The proposal appears a sensible exercise of sovereign rights. If you want to emigrate over that, well I don't know where you would go - desert island somewhere? As our cities become more crowded and society becomes more complex increasing regulation is inevitable.
|