Laser pointer update

[AstralTraveller (David)]

According to todays Sun-Herald the importation of 'high powered laser pointers' is to be banned by Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus. Exemptions will be available for legitimate users 'such as surveying, astronomy, mining and construction'. There are no details about how the ban will be implemented nor how the exemptions will be handled. Personally I fear our pockets will be lighter after this . Gee I'd love to 'thank' the idiots that brought this on .

[norm]

:do h:....sums it up!

[tornado33]

A few of us in Newcastle Astro Society use them so we should be exempt however I refuse point blank to pay for any liscences, if thats what the govt. wants. Instead, I will just be an "illegal" owner and take my chances. Considering how understaffed police are, provided we dont do the wrong thing with them, they wont have the resources to set up road blocks at every obbserving venue looking for lasers
Scott

[Ric]

Hi Scott, I just see the headlines,

"Telescope police raid star party"

Cheers

[OneOfOne (Trevor)]

I can picture the text....

"a cache of 15 x .22 rifles, 26 swords and 15 pistols with 25,000 rounds of amunition were siezed, however the owners all had valid liscences and were released, one person was found with a 5mW pointer and has been sentenced to 5 years in jail..."

Go figure the logic....

[Satchmo]

Surely `high powered ' lasers mean 50mw and above, and normal 5 mw pen style lasers will be ok..

[leon]

I agree Scott, stuff em, I will take my chances as well, mine is perched in its bracket on the scope, pretty harmless really.

I would have a hell of a time trying to chase down a aircraft, with my mounts slew rate.

leon

[Davros (Lauren)]

As its rather topical now "they can have my laser pointer when they pry it from my cold dead fingers" ................................... ...............to soon

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

So it begins ....
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...08/2210802.htm
What a fool !

[Terry B]

Originally Posted by gaa_ian

So it begins ....
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...08/2210802.htm
What a fool !

~3 yrs at her majesty's pleasure for shooting at the police with a green laser. Bash up and seriously injure someone on a footy field and get a few weeks suspension.

[erick (Eric)]

Sentence might have more to do with the firearms offences?

[ngcles]

Hi All,

Please read the following taking into account the following caveat -- NO FIRM POLICY HAS BEEN DECIDED AS YET. It is only relevant to NSW residents.

There was a meeting today (08042008) at the NSW Police Ministry (no, I wasn't there but I have a _very_ reliable source) where the case for laser pointers for amateur astronomers and astronomy educators was put forcefully to the NSW Police Minister.

NO FIRM POLICY HAS BEEN DECIDED AS YET, but the indication from the meeting was that some restrictions are likely to be imposed but no policy has yet been written up. Most likely the same restrictions as apply to knives will be introduced, ie. police will have discretion to determine if someone is in possession for a valid reason. No registration/payment/licensing will be required. But to repeat: NO FIRM POLICY HAS BEEN DECIDED AS YET.

This of course does not prevent the Federal Government (who control importation laws and the legislation that governs aircraft) from imposing something different -- but it is a positive initial outcome for those of us in NSW.

I would encourage you (unless you have already done so) to continue to write to the NSW Police Minister Mr David Campbell and also to Mr Debus (Minister for Home affairs) urging them to carefully consider consider our position on responsibile ownership and use.

Best,

Les D
Contributing Editor
AS&T

[luvmybourbon]

I read in the melbourne herald sun the other day that lasers in victoria are classed as a controlled weapon same as ornamental swords and such.

So you need a permit to have one. If you dont you could possibly get a suspended jail term or even jail if you had been in trouble before.

An ex airforce friend of mine was suprised when i told him you could buy lasers above 2mw which he thought was the limit allowed.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

That is encouraging to hear Les that a bit of rational discussion is involved in the use of Laser pointers.
They are a very useful tool in the hands of those with at least 1/2 a brain !

[Ric]

I agree with Erick, I think the firearms offence might have had more bearing on the fellows sentence but as lasers are in the news at the moment it more newsworthy to mention them instead.

It will be interesting to see what develops from the meeting Les.

Cheers

[asterisk (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by ngcles

...
I would encourage you (unless you have already done so) to continue to write to the NSW Police Minister Mr David Campbell and also to Mr Debus (Minister for Home affairs) urging them to carefully consider consider our position on responsibile ownership and use.

Again, for those of you who would like to copy or adapt, I have attached a sample letter that can be used for the purpose Les is suggesting.

Cheers

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

I would also urge you write to your local member too, as I received a very positive response from our one (Kay Hull).

Bill

[erick (Eric)]

Might be of interest - from "Telescopes & Astronomy" April newsletter:-

PROGRESS ON NEW "LEGAL" 1MW GREEN LASER POINTER

We have now been able to develop a Green Laser Pointer which will produce a beam using less than 1mW through high quality of manufacturing. The Lasers are also 2cm shorter than the standard models.

As light pollution determines how well a beam is produced, I will try to describe how well the new 1mW Lasers perform in various light polluted conditions.

10/10 Dark Skies (no light pollution) - no problems, the laser will produce a beam bright enough for pointing out stars to a person next to you. It is bright enough to be used a Finderscope for your telescope.

9/10 Still Dark Skies - no problems.

8/10 Darkness - our local forest is fairly dark. With no dark eye adaption, no problem seeing the beam and using it as a Finderscope.

8/10 Darkness - darker suburban lighting with dark eye adaption - no problem seeing the beam and using as a Finderscope.

7/10 Darkness - My house is located in the suburbs - I have a visible white street light 60m away, and more street lights further away. Full-on suburbia houses are 250m from my backyard, and houses line the street opposite me, out the front. I would call this darker than your average suburban house. With only 10mins dark adaption, the beam can be seen when using the laser for pointing out stars to someone next to me, or use as a Finderscope.

5/10 Darkness - Average Suburbia - with full dark adaption. No interruption from occasional car head lights. Difficult to see the beam going all the way up to stars.

2/10 City Skies - not a hope!

New 1mW Green Laser Pointer for Astronomy $100AUD.


WEB SITE: http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au
EMAIL: telescopes@adam.com.au

[Terry B]

some idiot is at it again
see http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/pl...856766264.html
There seems to be a concerted effort going on to have them banned.

[hogly52 (Graeme)]

Originally Posted by Terry B

some idiot is at it again
see http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/pl...856766264.html
There seems to be a concerted effort going on to have them banned.

In the reporting of the same incident by the ABC, the laser pointer was referred to as a "weapon". Correct me if my interpretation is wrong, but this seems to add to the argument of a concerted effort in place by the media to sway public opinion against the legitimate uses and users of laser pointers.

Graeme