laser pointers?

[marki]

I have been trying a little experiment after the change in laws regarding the import of lasers. I started my little adventure a number of weeks ago to see how it all worked downloading relevent info, gaining state firearms approval etc etc. Well I finally received word from customs about importing a laser collimator today after waiting 5 weeks for a response. I opened the letter expecting that approval had been given, instead I was informed that laser collimators did not in this persons opinion fall into the controlled catergory and I was free to import it at any time . In my opinion it could be hand held and used as a pointer if one wished. I can see this is going to be the fun bit as the item should arrive monday next week and I am reasonably sure that it will be held by customs . I have the letter I received in response to my application with contact numbers but if they refuse to accept it, it will be back to the drawing board I think (e.g. another 5 weeks of bureaucratic bovine faeces) before I get it. I wonder if they kept my application forms in Canberra?

Mark

[marki]

Well I got my laser collimator today and it passed straight through customs without any problems. I hope this saves time for others who are thinking about importing one. You don't need to apply to customs at all. I am not sure how this would apply to state authorities though.

Mark

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Just FYI - here;s Macarthur Astronomical Society's (MAS) official laser usage policy as posted on our website:

http://www.macastro.org.au/home/inde...=67&Itemid=115

M.A.S. Laser Use Policy

There is absolutely no excuse or defence for the act of deliberately aiming a laser pointer, of any power, at any aircraft, vehicle or person and the Macarthur Astronomical Society condemns such actions without reservation.

We earnestly commit ourselves, as a Society and as individuals, to the practice that while conducting private astronomical observations and public displays we will never, ever, under any circumstances, aim our laser pointers at or anywhere near the vicinity of any passing aircraft.

The Society will maintain a voluntary register of members possessing laser pointers for astronomical use, which may assist in the event of a dispute with police. We also encourage members to keep their laser pointers securely locked up when not in use.

New laws now in place in NSW require us to comply with the following:

NSW Summary Offences Act

Laser pointers are classed as "dangerous implements" and a person must not, without reasonable excuse, use or have custody of a laser pointer in a public place.

Laser pointers are defined as a "hand-held battery-operated device, designed or adapted to emit a laser beam, that may be used for the purposes of aiming, targeting or pointing". There is no distinction in this Act regarding colour/frequency nor is there any minimum output power.

It is a “reasonable excuse” for a person to use or have custody of a laser pointer for the lawful pursuit of the person’s occupation, education, training or hobby.

NSW Weapons Prohibition Regulations

Individuals who wish to obtain or continue to possess battery operated hand-held laser pointers of 1 mw or above will be required to apply for a Prohibited Weapons Permit and will be “subject to criminal and probity checks”. The permit fee will be $75.00.

However, the Police will issue free permits to registered Astronomical Societies, including Macarthur Astronomical Society. A member of the Society will not be required to obtain a permit but may be asked to prove membership of the Society.

If you possess a laser pointer but your membership of an astronomical society then lapses, you may be in breach of the law and you are advised to obtain a permit or surrender the device.

Federal Regulation

The Federal Government has banned the importation of laser pointers into Australia. Anyone seeking to import a laser pointer stronger than 1mW must possess an appropriate exemption, which will work in the same way as for other restricted goods. The import ban allows legitimate users (including astronomers) to apply for an exemption from the ban.

Importers will need to obtain police authorisation and an import permit, so if you buy one locally or over the internet you will need the relevant authorisation from Australian Customs.

[caleb]

Originally Posted by marki

Well I got my laser collimator today and it passed straight through customs without any problems. I hope this saves time for others who are thinking about importing one. You don't need to apply to customs at all. I am not sure how this would apply to state authorities though.

Mark

does this mean i can order a 5mw laser anytime without letting the govt. know; im in NSW btw?

[Jeff]

Some good news.

After a lengthy process (approx 6 weeks from when goods were detained) involving several letters, forms and telephone calls, I received final approval to retrospectively import a telescope mounted laser pointer (detained by Customs just after the new laws came into effect), and collected it today from Customs Detained Goods at Melbourne airport.

The item imported was a Jasper Always-On laser pointer (<5 mW) plus a dovetail gamble mount. http://www.jasperlaser.com/index.php?/shop/details/1
This allows me to easily illuminate the SCP with my Dob/Argo Navis, then quickly and accurately polar align my EQ mount through its polar scope for astrophotography.

After receiving notification from Customs that my laser pointer has been confiscated, the process steps which I followed for approval in Vic were as follows:

1. Download and complete B709B Weapons Customs Import Application from Victoria Police
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=3924

2. Send completed B709B form to Vic Police (Licensing Services Branch) with a covering letter providing:
- copy of Customs seizure notice, receipt of good docket, and completed B144/B710 forms
- image/specifications of purchased green laser pointer
- explanation of intended usage (eg. permanently mounted to telescope to assist with polar/object alignment)
- photocopies of my ASV membership and drivers licence
- images of my current astronomy equipment

3. Received B709B Importation of Weapons “Police Confirmation” (original plus a copy) from Vic police after about a week.

4. Send “Police Confirmation” original to the Minister for Justice & Customs (5 Constitution Avenue, Canberra, ACT, 2601) with a covering letter providing:
- copy of Customs seizure notice, receipt of good docket, and completed B144/B710 forms
- image/specifications of purchased green laser pointer
- explanation of intended usage (eg. permanently mounted to telescope to assist with polar/object alignment)
- photocopies of my ASV membership and drivers licence
- images of my current astronomy equipment

5. Received “Permission to Import” ministerial letter from the Minister for Justice & Customs after about 3 weeks.

6. Went into Customs at Melbourne Airport (Detained Goods desk at Customs House), provided paperwork (“Police Confirmation” copy and ministerial “Permission to Import”), then received the confiscated goods.

All of the officials which I dealt with at Customs in Melb and Vic Police were very courteous and professional, but exercised due diligence to ascertain that I was in fact a practising amateur astronomer. Although the process was long and tedious, I was heartened to see the efforts being exercised to keep laser pointers out of the hands of nutters and idiots.

I was also impressed to see common sense exercised by the Vic Police who chose not to inflict a $153 registration fees to posses as “controlled weapon” for a laser pointer which is being mounted on a telescope (rather than being carried around as a hand held device anywhere).

So the approval process is working (albeit slowly) for genuine amateur astronomers who can provide details of intended usage, astronomy equipment, and astronomical society membership. Maybe the effort and delays involved might have a positive effect … dissuading casual users and kids from acquiring them as toys.

Cheers,
Jeff

[erick (Eric)]

Looks like we are going to need some official-looking Snake Valley Astronomical Association membership cards!

Jeff, the Jasper is basically a hand-held, it seems to me. Did you get a sense of what their views would be on the importation of a hand-held only? Or did the accompanying dovetail mount clinch the argument in your case?

[Jeff]

Hi Eric,

My discussions with Vic Police Licensing Services Branch (phone discussions, followed up in writing) stressed the intended usage of the laser pointer & bracket. It was agreed that since I was not seeking permission to "carry" a laser pointer on my person, I should not be required to pay $153 every 3 years to carry a controlled weapon. My impression was that I may have been required to "register/license" the laser pointer as a controlled weapon if I were seeking permission to carry the laser pointer anywhere as a hand held device .... not sure. I expect arrangements and due diligence procedures are still in the settling in period.

From my phone discussions and the written info provided, it would have been quite apparent that I was a genuine and serious amateur astronomer. The Superintendent who I spoke with also seemed quite knowledgeable about astronomy (types of scopes, major societies, major deep sky sites, etc).

[erick (Eric)]

Thanks Jeff, I wondered by the licence fee was waived.

While I have no need at present, perhaps I will want to import in future. I have my licence to carry and will renew it when it falls due, if I can. I sense that having that licence may ease the approval for import of a hand-holdable, but that, conversely, approval for a hand-holdable without the clear intention that it spend most of its time mounted on a scope may be harder.

[lloydysun]

Hi Brenden, R'e Laser Pointers, Mate I belong to an Astronomy Society in Western Syndey, we "DON'T" nead a special licence to own or use a Green Laser, provided that you do the right thing. Astronomy Societies are exempt from getting a licence, compared to the public. However if you use the laser to do stupid things like pointing them towards Planes you'll be in massive trouble. If i am outside showing some friends the skies, and all of a sudden the police come around,what you do is tell them that you belong to an Astronomy Society. If they check with the Astronomy society and it is verified that you belong to that club, you'll be ok..cyou..Lloyd...

[Liz]

I ordered one on Ebay, but got seized by Customs in Brisbane, last week!! I rang them, and could probably get it back 2 months later, after many forms/got to Police station etc. Cant be bothered, as was only a cheapie. Looking for an Aus cheaper source now.

[Robbie]

I had a visit from the local constabulary about the laser pointer attatched to my 10" meade sct, I was reported and located by police air one, when the coppers showed up I showed them the scope and attached pointer, they tried to tell me I was shining it at the chopper, I told them I wasnt and if it hit them (which it didnt) then it was because they flew through it.
Just in passing tho the only real reason lasers are being banned is that cops dont like little lights popping up on their chests at night it makes them nervous for some reason, all the other reasons are a crock.

[centroid (Dave)]

There have been prosecutions in the UK, of people pointing Green Lasers at aircraft, and in one case, at a Police Helicopter, who were VERY quick in locating the source.

We are now seeing cases of them being pointed at drivers on the Motorway (Freeway).

Sooner or later, they are going to cost lives, and if preventing that happening meant that I couldn't buy one, then that's fine by me.

Not that I want one, as a finder scope or red dot finder, works fine.

Dave