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New Colorado bill would create felony for shining laser at aircraft
A new bill moving through the Colorado House would create a state felony charge for anyone caught shining a laser at helicopters or planes. The proposed law would allow local police to investigate and charge laser strike cases involving aircraft, instead of waiting for federal investigators. (www.airguide.info) Mais...
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It is unbelievable that there are people in this world who aim a laser pointer at an aircraft. Hope they aim them at their own eyes, that will teach them, they are stupid enough to do it!
I have no problem with this as the worst case scenario is always a possibility when the idiots who do such. The problem is actually handing down sentences no matter the outcome. Hopefully, should a worst case scenario happen, the idiots are actually charged with 1st degree murder with the number of charges equal to the number of those who lost their lives.
Instead of making it a "minor" felony, the penalty should be that you take the person and shine a high powered laser directly into their eye. Do it on live TV so that any idiot who is thinking of doing it might think twice. I am a firm believer of the line in one of the Gilbert and Sullivan productions - "make the punishment fit the crime".
18 U.S. Code § 39A - Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft already has that covered.
You should read the article before posting. Yes, it is already a Federal crime, but according to the article, the Feds don't have the resources to investigate these incidents. It should be a felony at the state level IN EVERY STATE as well, because state and local law enforcement often have more resources to investigate these incidents.
State and local law enforcement has no obligation to enforce Federal law, but do have the authority to do so. Especially when the suspected crime endangers life or serious bodily harm. Do more than read the article.
Honestly, I’m a little “iffy” on the felony tag for a first offense if you’re in your teens- discretion should come into play here.. felony sticks with you and you’re screwed for life. Second offense.. you deserve a felony rap Of course, it depends on the circumstances and you should have mandatory jail time regardless. But yes, investigate and prosecute at the state and local level. Kids and dumb ass adults need to know it’s no joke and more importantly understand why.
I've had a laser pointed at me in flight. Not only is it dangerous for the pilot's eyes, I'm seeing a light so close my head has turned like mad looking for what may have been another aircraft near me. That took my attention from the safety of flight and from my student's actions.