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State Considers Stiffer Penalties for Laser Lights

Annapolis lawmakers are considering legislation to increase the penalties associated with pointing a laser at an aircraft.

 

Pointing a laser light at an aircraft is definitely dangerous—when the light hits the cockpit windshield it spreads out and can blind the pilot and crew and could cause them to crash, according to a recent WJZ-TV report.

Back in September, a 14-year-old boy from Middle River was arrested after he allegedly pointed a laser light at a Maryland State Police helicopter, blinding the crew. The boy was charged with reckless endangerment, attempted second-degree assault on police, obstructing and hindering police and prohibited use of a laser pointer.

Lawmakers in Annapolis are considering currently considering legislation that would have had the boy charged with the equivalent of second-degree assault of a police officer as a result of the incident.

The bill was introduced by Del. Sam Arora (D-Montgomery County) and a companion bill is expected to be introduced in the Senate soon.

"We need this law and I think when people find out that the current law says maybe a $500 fine and we’re talking about potential death, I think we are finding people in support of this bill," Arora told WJZ in an interview Tuesday evening.

Maryland State Police are supporting this legislation, spokesman Greg Shipley said. He added that Deputy Director of the Maryland State Police Avitation Division Chris Lovejoy testified Tuesday in Annapolis in favor of the bill.

"The fact is that this has been a serious issue for at least the last 18 months and puts the lives of the pilot, crew and patients in danger," Shipley said. "But it goes beyond that state police. What would happen if the pilot of a commercial jet was blinded with hundreds of people on board? The results could be deadly."

 

Do you agree that "lighting up" an aircraft should carry stiffer penalties? Tell us in the comments.

Related Topics: Laser Pointer, Maryland State Police, and essex crime

david wilson

1:25 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012

If the legislature considers such legislation, I should hope that they consider it very carefully and all the ramifications.

All lasers are not created equal. The Class II laser pointers do not cause eye damage; although they could conceivably create temporary problems for a pilot. On the other hand, laser flare technology has provided some very useful rescue/locator tools. These devices are used by law enforcement and the military and are widely recognized as useful lasers for the very purpose of signaling rescue craft. So, there must be exclusionary clauses written into any law to allow these types of devices continued use.

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chuck

8:23 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012

Think outisde the box: the annoying copters should maintain an altitute above laser light range?, no?

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