Laser pointer - Page 2

brightstar · #21 21-04-2009, 08:44 AM

Duncan phoned yesterday and asked several questions about the legality of owning a Green Laser pointer. I pointed out to him that in QLD there are no license or permits required to own one. The devices are governed by the Firearm and Weapons Act and the only law is that it is illegal to use one illegally. This was a deliberate ploy by the authorities as was explained, the idiots that point them at aircraft etc are not very bright and when asked by police why they had one, the usual answer was to burst balloons, which the police could use as an illegal act. If you were to say that you were an astronomer, that is a completely legal activity. I believe NSW is going to copy this rule. Duncan was informed to contact his local authority to see what the requirements were. It is not illegal for a QLD store to sell them interstate but our advice has allways been for the buyer to check with their local authority.
Sirius Optics checks the bono fides of every customer as to the intended use of the lasers. Astronomers are not the only ones using them, Bird Watchers, Forestry workers, Teachers etc all use them. I would suggest that people posting to IIS forums engage their brains before their mouths and do some checking before they post to the forums.

PCH (Paul) · #22 21-04-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brightstar

Duncan phoned yesterday and asked several questions about the legality of owning a Green Laser pointer. I pointed out to him that in QLD there are no license or permits required to own one. The devices are governed by the Firearm and Weapons Act and the only law is that it is illegal to use one illegally. This was a deliberate ploy by the authorities as was explained, the idiots that point them at aircraft etc are not very bright and when asked by police why they had one, the usual answer was to burst balloons, which the police could use as an illegal act. If you were to say that you were an astronomer, that is a completely legal activity. I believe NSW is going to copy this rule. Duncan was informed to contact his local authority to see what the requirements were. It is not illegal for a QLD store to sell them interstate but our advice has allways been for the buyer to check with their local authority.
Sirius Optics checks the bono fides of every customer as to the intended use of the lasers. Astronomers are not the only ones using them, Bird Watchers, Forestry workers, Teachers etc all use them. I would suggest that people posting to IIS forums engage their brains before their mouths and do some checking before they post to the forums.

Wow, - you're fresh out of 'charm school' aren't you

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #23 21-04-2009, 01:10 PM

guys, this is all getting a bit heated ...

maybe someone should check with the mods, and create a sticky on this, to avoid this coming up again.

Paul Hatchman · #24 21-04-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brightstar

It is not illegal for a QLD store to sell them interstate but our advice has allways been for the buyer to check with their local authority.

Perhaps you are not fully up to date with recent changes to the law in NSW?

There is fact sheet here: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/...r_pointers.pdf

In NSW hand held laser device with a power output of more than 1mW is classified as a prohibited weapon. Members of an astronomy club approved by the Commissioner of Police are not required to obtain a prohibited weapons permit when using the laser pointer for "activities associated with astronomy".

It may well still be legal to sell them interstate, but my (laymans) understanding is that you can not sell a prohibited weapon to anyone who does not have either a prohibited weapon's permit or an exemption.

Cheers,

Paul.

The gory details are here: http://asnsw.com/info/WeaponsProhibi...lation2008.pdf

saturn c (Leo) · #25 22-04-2009, 03:05 AM

Theres nothing wrong with owning a laser if used legally!!! You're to paranoid chris !!! .the bloke didnt bring any harm what so ever to this forum , that s just a ludicrous comment.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #26 22-04-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saturn c

You're to paranoid chris !!! .the bloke didnt bring any harm what so ever to this forum , that s just a ludicrous comment.

I don't believe so. When we speak of items that are (rightly or wrongly) listed as prohibited "weapons" by the powers to be, I don't think we can be careful enough. In the US, laser offenders are subject to judgement by the Patriot Act - sounds pretty serious to me. I personally think that it should be the responsibility of sellers of 40mw lasers in this country to first sight proof that the buyer is legitimate, not just take their word for it.

I don't use one any more, so I couldn't care less quite frankly.

Paul Hatchman · #27 22-04-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saturn c

Theres nothing wrong with owning a laser if used legally!!!

I think we need to be very careful with this sort of comment. In NSW there is something wrong with even owning a laser pointer over 1mW, regardless of how it is used. (exceptions apply).

I don't think it is paranoia to make people on the forum aware of this. There has already been at least 1 charge laid for possession of a prohibited weapon when a laser pointer was found in a car by police. Admittedly other, real weapons were found in the car, but still it shows the NSW police are prepared to use this law when it suits them.

Cheers.

sally1jack (Phil) · #28 23-04-2009, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sally1jack

What is the current status if green laser's ,are the 1mw any good? just to help a newbie to find targets.

Thanks Phil

I originally posted this subject to see what was legal & if it was effective for helping a newbie to find targets, not a moral debate to see if we should own or not own illegal lasers.

So can anyonne tell me are 1mw lasers strong enough?
Thanks Phil

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #29 23-04-2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sally1jack

I originally posted this subject to see what was legal & if it was effective for helping a newbie to find targets, not a moral debate to see if we should own or not own illegal lasers.

So can anyonne tell me are 1mw lasers strong enough?
Thanks Phil

Not really Phil. That's why they're legal. If you stand directly behind it on a warm night you'll see the beam. Move a couple of feet off to one side (like a spectator) and you can hardly see anything. The added disadvantage is that green laser diodes are very susceptible to the cold - they stop working. You need to keep it constantly warm, so keep it in your pocker close to your skin. The upshot is that if you own a 1mw laser and it's a cold night, use your finger to point!

sally1jack (Phil) · #30 23-04-2009, 08:56 AM

Thanks Chris

xnomad · #31 23-04-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brightstar

Astronomers are not the only ones using them, Bird Watchers ... use them.

I hope they don't use a 40mw when pointing a bird out to friends....

sally1jack (Phil) · #32 23-04-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xnomad

I'm hope they don't use a 40mw when pointing a bird out to friends....

KFC

Liz · #33 23-04-2009, 03:09 PM

Hi Phil - I bought a 1 mw recently, and certainly wasnt strong enough for Astronomy needs so returned it.
Today I picked up my 10mw number and will christen it tomorrow night at our group viewing.
As have said in previous posts, I did buy one on eBay last year, and it is still sitting in Brisbane Custom!! I could get it, after a LOT of paperwork, but was only a cheapie anyway

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #34 23-04-2009, 03:31 PM

well, i tried the 40mw last night, and while it was very bright, it certainly wasnt much different to good 20mw i have seen. i could see the beam from all angles, although the laser itself is very, very bright ... i feel like a Jedi every time i switch the damn thing on!! and while i didnt look at the beam, even staring at the reflection of it on a wall left my sight with 'purple blotch syndrome' for an hour or so.

As to wether i get rid of it or not for something less sci-fi ...

i did go around everyone in the house last night and gave them strict instructions never to touch it etc.

sally1jack (Phil) · #35 23-04-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liz

Hi Phil - I bought a 1 mw recently, and certainly wasnt strong enough for Astronomy needs so returned it.
Today I picked up my 10mw number and will christen it tomorrow night at our group viewing.
As have said in previous posts, I did buy one on eBay last year, and it is still sitting in Brisbane Custom!! I could get it, after a LOT of paperwork, but was only a cheapie anyway

Thanks Liz