Is a laser pointer ban effective?
Banning or severely restricting laser pointers seems like a simple, attractive solution to misuse such as pointing at aircraft. However, there are a number of problems: • It is hard to effectively define laser pointers. To give one example, if “battery powered” lasers are banned, it still is relatively easy to find AC outlets in public spaces, or to use a $20 inverter to run a laser off a car’s 12-volt plug. • It is hard to enforce. In a world with Internet sales by mail, and easy world travel, it becomes difficult to check every package or person at Customs to see if they have a laser pointer. • It does not stop someone who really wants a laser. It is easy to get new or used lasers, either by themselves or built into equipment. Even DVD and Blu-Ray players contain powerful laser diodes. If hobbyists can get these, so can anyone with evil intent. Said another way, “When laser pointers are outlawed, only outlaws will have laser pointers.” • It stops legitimate use of laser pointers by t
