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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...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
What IS a laser as defined in the law? Surely not the $5 toy the cat chases around.
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.
The article states… “ The new law would create a Class 6 felony, the lowest level felony charge in the state, for anyone who is caught flashing a laser.”. That sentence should have ended… “at an aircraft”.
Please keep in mind many of us who do stargazing have lasers for instructional purposes (pointing out celestial objects or constellations) or to zero in on telescope objects. We’re responsible users, so please don’t turn us in if you SEE a laser, but it’s not pointed at you or another aircraft. I can just visualize an over aggressive pilot turning someone in who’s innocently using their laser for astronomical purposes and the cops come rolling in. We totally understand the problem of these being pointed at aircraft… we’re just asking to give the astronomy buff a break. Thanks…
Please keep in mind many of us who do stargazing have lasers for instructional purposes (pointing out celestial objects or constellations) or to zero in on telescope objects. We’re responsible users, so please don’t turn us in if you SEE a laser, but it’s not pointed at you or another aircraft. I can just visualize an over aggressive pilot turning someone in who’s innocently using their laser for astronomical purposes and the cops come rolling in. We totally understand the problem of these being pointed at aircraft… we’re just asking to give the astronomy buff a break. Thanks…
A person can be charged with the same crime at the state and federal level without “ double jeopardy “ violation of the U.S. Constitution.
However, many times the State court will court order out the charges if there are Federal pending charges as any state sentencing will be eaten up by any Federal time. State Sentencing runs concurrent ( at the same time) with any Fed time unless in a Federal court order sentencing by the Her/His Honor.Sometimes the Feds decline to file any charges so this state law covers any legal loopholes in State persecution.
Sources:paralegal studies degree and my last profession at the local jail.
However, many times the State court will court order out the charges if there are Federal pending charges as any state sentencing will be eaten up by any Federal time. State Sentencing runs concurrent ( at the same time) with any Fed time unless in a Federal court order sentencing by the Her/His Honor.Sometimes the Feds decline to file any charges so this state law covers any legal loopholes in State persecution.
Sources:paralegal studies degree and my last profession at the local jail.
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".
It's a federal felony for doing so now with penalties up to five years. But, it's not publicized well enough in media.
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.
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.