Neighbors pointing laser at homes/pedestrians

[boomer3701]

We've got middle school aged kids in the neighborhood and they seem to have a new airsoft/bb gun with laser sight. In the daylight the toy looks like a small AR-15 clone. What's the legality of pointing laser sights at people or property?

[johnharris]

There was a law passed a few years ago about intentionally pointing laser pointers at law enforcement. I do not know if that included individuals other than law enforcement.

[redbarron06]

lasers can cause blindness both temp and perm. If they apointing them at moving cars (or really anybody) I would call it assult or battery (I dont remimber the difference) but at the very least this is no different that throwing rocks off of bridges into moving traffic. Talk to the parents, if that dont work talk to the police and see if you can not "make an example"

[David Lewis]

IIRC, the law only applied to pointing a laser at a LEO.

While it is true that lasers can indeed cause blindness by burning spots on the retina, the little pointers, & laser sights aren't
powerful enough to do so without prolonged exposure. Simply flashing it across your eyes will likely not cause any damage.
Still, I don't want it done to me, though it's happened on occasion.

I've had more than one discussion with my opthalmologist about them, since I was hit in the face with a lab laser way back when in High school.
We were horsing around with one in the equipment room, & I got it in the face. Specifically had the doc check my eyes for damage. None found.
That led to the beginning of a series of convesations on the topic, over the years.

I doubt that it could be construed as either assault or battery. Talking with the parents is the 1st option, followed by the police. IMHO, the real danger
is not the laser sight, but that they're pointing a BB gun at people. That could get them shot if they pointed it at the wrong person at the wrong time. I'd suggest taking that tack when calling on the parents.

David

[ProguninTN]

[Dan Lee]

David, pretty much summed this up, but if he hits you or someone in the eye with it & causes damage, the parents might be liable for civil damages.. It depends on the intensity of the laser if course, but some airsoft guns can put an eye out for sure.... It might help to kindly remind them of that..