Be careful how you use a laser pointer. Operating the device in a malicious manner could land you in some serious trouble. According to the FBI, laser attacks have reached "epidemic levels." Since 2005, incidents involving laser pointers has risen 1,100 percent and they're predicting that 3,700 incidents would occur by the end of the year.
In response to this threat, the FBI has created the Laser Strike Working Group National Initiative and with fines like these, you will definitely rethink directing that pointer in the direction of the eyes of a pilot.
Under a law passed this year, laser-wielders can get up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $11,000 for pointing the beams at planes. And that's actually a step down from existing law, which can dish out $250,000 fines and 20 year sentences for interfering with an aircraft in general.
Guess we'll just stick to small-time stuff, like blinding people with the glare coming off our watch.
[via Gizmodo]
