[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Yes we legitimately use 300mW lasers to burn out the eyes of phony amateur astronomers

He's a cruel man, cruel but fair. There are a few 'starboys' crawling out of the woodwork wanting to know if we can legitimize their death rays. Fortunately we can't,even if we were so irresponsible. Advice about the legislation in NSW is that:

"A member of an approved professional or amateur astronomical organisation ... is exempt from the requirement ... for a permit to possess or use a prohibited weapon [ie Class 3 lasers], but only for the purpose of enabling the person to take part in activities associated with astronomy."

There is no use in astronomy for a 300mW laser, though possible uses in purifying the gene pool should be considered.