Re: Australia state bans laser pointers after attacks

On 2008-05-08, Dr J R Stockton <jrs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

There is a need to distinguish between the socially mature - a modest
majority of the population, perhaps - and the rest. Where a limitation
can only be imposed without much discrimination, the mature will prefer
to accept it if, overall, it is of benefit to them or to society.

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/7389338.stm>.

That story came to mind while reading through this thread - it was
reasonably near where I live and the local paper gave a few more
details than are up online. It was a high powered laser 'probably
from ebay'. It wasn't a 1mW general purpose laser pointer or a
5mW 'prescribed use' (astronomy) laser both available legally. It
was one in the 50-300mW range. In other words it was bought
illegally anyway.

Given that it was illegal already any attempt to ban laser pointers
after this or any of several other attacks would be foolish. But
then again policitians are well known for just that kind of action
if they think there's publicity in it, regardless of the logical
merits of such action.

--
Andrew Smallshaw
andrews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
.