As some of you know, Photolexicon member, who happened to be the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) at the event he was working at, recently assisted security in confiscating (and later destroying) a laser that was being used in a dangerous manner (see this thread).
However, how much legal power does an LSO actually have? I know police officers and other law enforcement agents have the power to confiscate items if they have reasonable suspicion or a warrant, but what about an LSO?
In other words, are there any repercussions if a LSO tries to take your laser away, and you refuse to hand it over, other than possibly being charged for posessing an illegal laser? (I reckon if someone is using a laser in a dangerous fashion, it may be permissible to try to take the laser away by force in self-defense, but I'm talking about cases in which the person is just having the laser out.)
However, how much legal power does an LSO actually have? I know police officers and other law enforcement agents have the power to confiscate items if they have reasonable suspicion or a warrant, but what about an LSO?
In other words, are there any repercussions if a LSO tries to take your laser away, and you refuse to hand it over, other than possibly being charged for posessing an illegal laser? (I reckon if someone is using a laser in a dangerous fashion, it may be permissible to try to take the laser away by force in self-defense, but I'm talking about cases in which the person is just having the laser out.)