Making Sure Green Lazers dont get "Banned"

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

As Australia's largest group of Amateur Astronomers we are going to have to lobby the government to make sure Laser pointers are not "Banned"
I believe we have a good case to make that we have a lawful purpose for owning and using laser pointers.
Can we set up an online petition to present to the appropriate minister pre-emptivly.
It would be helpful to propose a solution to the issue of hoon's with laser pointers, trying to "Zap" aircraft.
Public education on the dangers, proper use of lasers, etc ....
Any Ideas how we can do this ?
I am happy to write the petition letter.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

If we're going to write to our local members about this issue - PLEASE, everyone, make sure that we spell "laser" correctly!

"Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation"

[Kokatha man]

Originally Posted by gaa_ian

As Australia's largest group of Amateur Astronomers we are going to have to lobby the government to make sure Laser pointers are not "Banned"
I believe we have a good case to make that we have a lawful purpose for owning and using laser pointers.
Can we set up an online petition to present to the appropriate minister pre-emptivly.
It would be helpful to propose a solution to the issue of hoon's with laser pointers, trying to "Zap" aircraft.
Public education on the dangers, proper use of lazers, etc ....
Any Ideas how we can do this ?
I am happy to write the petition letter.

I'd second that Ian: how about it Mike? I also think that anyone motivated enough to do this should also at least email there local State and Federal member: the wording for any IIS formulated petition could be utilized for these individual emails too!

Regards, Darryl.

[erick (Eric)]

And don't expect they will grant an exemption from everything because you are an amateur astronomer ("Back off man, I'm an astronomer!"). Ask that amateur astronomy be recognised as a legitimate and potentially safe use for such laser pointers. I see no way to avoid a permitting system with its paperwork and license costs. You could suggest that the permit fee to be as low as possible, given the relative low cost of the device being permitted. Of course, the permit fee is partly to cover the costs of permitting incurred by the police or government department and that would be independent of device cost. User pays.

[MrB (Simon)]

Yep, the only way I can see us getting around the inevitable ban is a permit or license, so a lobby to have 'Amateur Astronomer' recognised as a legitimate licensable user of the devices is probably our best bet.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

In Vic it is already illegal to have a laser >1mw and yes you can apply for a permit at a cost of something like $180. No thanks!

[notch]

I was livid after watching a news interview with a national transport representative who, when asked what legitimate applications do green lasers have, he answered "none".
Some people (highly educated ones as well it seems) are obviously unaware of some of the pertinent uses of green lasers that amateur astronomers are familiar with.
Not only for astronomy do I use mine, I have also found an excellent use for it at my place of work (alumina refinery) to identify difficult to access pipes, valves etc to maintenance personnel.
We need to stick together on this one.
I agree with Ian that a petition would help, if not for education alone.

Notch

[sheeny (Al)]

Ian,

Have a look at:

http://www.gopetition.com.au/

May be a worthwhile tool to use?

I fully support being proactive about this, so we can have some influence over what will affect us. Education is an important part of this as well. Not only for amateur astronomers so they use their lasers safely and responsibly, but for the "legislators" so they appreciate that there are legitimate uses for these devices. e.g. Pointers for education and outreach, and laser finders, etc.

Al.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

signed it

geoff

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by notch

I was livid after watching a news interview with a national transport representative who, when asked what legitimate applications do green lasers have, he answered "none".

Don't know what program you watched, but the news article I saw on Ch9 had the reporter describe the lasers as "astronomy-type lasers".

[sheeny (Al)]

Guys,

There is already a petition going:

http://www.gopetition.com.au/petitio...laser-ban.html

I didn't realise until Geoff said he signed it!!!

Al.

[asterisk (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by gaa_ian

As Australia's largest group of Amateur Astronomers we are going to have to lobby the government to make sure Laser pointers are not "Banned"
I believe we have a good case to make that we have a lawful purpose for owning and using laser pointers.
Can we set up an online petition to present to the appropriate minister pre-emptivly.
It would be helpful to propose a solution to the issue of hoon's with laser pointers, trying to "Zap" aircraft.
Public education on the dangers, proper use of lazers, etc ....
Any Ideas how we can do this ?
I am happy to write the petition letter.

A sample letter for lobbying politicians from our point of view is in:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=30216

I will re-attach it here.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Signed

[asterisk (Geoff)]

Signed

[Davros (Lauren)]

signed

[astroron (Ron)]

This may sound stupid but is that a online letter or do I print it and send by snail mail
Ron

[asterisk (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by astroron

This may sound stupid but is that a online letter or do I print it and send by snail mail
Ron

The petition is on-line.

banning lasers general.doc is a word document which you can paste into an email and send it off to:

The Hon. Bob Debus MP
Minister for Home Affairs
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
E-mail: Bob.Debus.MP@aph.gov.au

and if in NSW

The Hon. David Campbell, MP
Minister for Police
GPO BOX 5341
SYDNEY NSW 2001
E-mail: david@campbell.minister.nsw.gov.au

and your local representative(s). Or you can post it snail mail if you wish.

[astroron (Ron)]

Thankyou Geoff.
Done
Ron

[Stephen65]

I wrote a letter to Minister Debus and sent it off yesterday. I think individual letters make the most impact if you have the time to write them.

[White Rabbit]

signed