Public Use?

I have a 100mw greenie and I like to shoot it in the sky at night. Sometimes I do it from my front lawn or porch I will just be shooting it in the sky or at my neighbors garage door or walls, never in the house. Were all good friends so I know they don't even mind but my dad always comes and tells me to stop it cause there is a cop that lives 5 houses down and he is always telling me he is going to take it. I walk my dog and cops are always cruising around and I was wondering can they take it if im just shining it at the ground / sky cause its in public

kissaholic said:

I have a 100mw greenie and I like to shoot it in the sky at night. Sometimes I do it from my front lawn or porch I will just be shooting it in the sky or at my neighbors garage door or walls, never in the house. Were all good friends so I know they don't even mind but my dad always comes and tells me to stop it cause there is a cop that lives 5 houses down and he is always telling me he is going to take it. I walk my dog and cops are always cruising around and I was wondering can they take it if im just shining it at the ground / sky cause its in public

Click to expand...

They can take it if you let them. If you don't let them, they can arrest you and then take it. Shining it in public is against the law. No there may not be a specific law against shining a laser. However, I'm sure there is one about public nuisance, reckless endangerment, assault with a deadly weapon, etc.

Listen to your father. He is trying to keep your criminal record clean.

Peace,
dave

If he doesn't nick you for the local version of public nuisance, some states and cities do have anti pointer laws, and in a FEW STATES, aiming a pointer at a cop is considered aiming a weapon at a law enforcement officer because of laser gun sights.

Daguin is right, put it away or keep the beam on your own property. The fact that the cop gave you a indirect warning is him/her being neighborly...
Listen to your Dad on this one.. It is not wise to be one's own lawyer..

And think about your dog, if they bust you, while walking him,... Does he spend the night in the dog pound??? Hopefully not, but you never know....

Steve

As long as you're not shining it AT the cop or other people he can't really get you for endangering public safety or assault. He CAN get you for using a Class 3B laser out in public. In any event he has the legal right to take it any time for that alone. If you wanna shine it around outside you'll just have to do it away from home. Yeah it sucks living near cops. (No illegal fireworks on the 4th, shooting at the sky with powerful lasers, Loud music, Parties etc) Not much more I can say.

I've wondered the same thing, but with flashlights instead. Why bother using a flashlight at night if all it does is get you in trouble? I'm pretty fed up with people nowdays being AFRAID of light!!! "Oh, he's got a flashlight, he's probably a criminal"

Now, lasers, those have a sort of "reach out and touch" effect. You might use it to point something out, but rarely do you use a laser to illuminate something to see it better. Plus, shine a bright flashlight in someone's eyes and they can't see for a few minutes. Shine a laser in someone's eyes and they might not see again.

My rule of thumb is avoid shining the laser outside unless I have goggles on. Gives me a little bit of credibility. "He looks like he's conducting some sort of science experiment! He must not be up to no good, then."

Daguin is probably right..... If a cop wants to take it or cite you they WILL find a way. I am doing best to keep and eye out as to where and when I shine them.

It will also depend on the officer.... my dad and brother were driving home one night... and as my brother was drivign my dad was shining out the sunroof on some tall trees..... way up in the country.... There was nobody around .....but a cop that crept up and pulled them over. Luckily he just said, "that's a nice laser show you got goin' on there. I wouldn't be doign that though because it could distract other drivers."

Now that's a cool cop..... +2 rep points for him. LOL

Razako said:

As long as you're not shining it AT the cop or other people he can't really get you for endangering public safety or assault. He CAN get you for using a Class 3B laser out in public. In any event he has the legal right to take it any time for that alone. If you wanna shine it around outside you'll just have to do it away from home. Yeah it sucks living near cops. (No illegal fireworks on the 4th, shooting at the sky with powerful lasers, Loud music, Parties etc) Not much more I can say.

Click to expand...

the cop can get you for what ever reason he wants... a cops mentality is to let the judge sort it out.


michael