Regarding the "no lasers for minors law": What state do you live in? I have never heard of a rule like that before.
One of the biggest problems concerning safety and lasers is the massive amount of rumors and made-up "laws." When I tell people that I am a laser hobbyist, they speak and act as though I am going to burn a hole right through my skull. Safety rumors make things more dangerous than they really are because they give people complete falsities.
At the same time, safety is of the utmost importance. A 5mW laser cannot cause eye damage unless you purposefully don't blink if you are exposed to it; that is to say that based on the data of various studies, it has been determined (and officially declared by the government) that lasers of power 5mW and under are safe because your blink reflex will prevent permanent damage. If you purposefully don't blink, it will be like directly staring at the sun: you'll develop a blind spot.
It is for this reason that I would say that a 5mW laser is a good introduction for someone who is interested in the hobby.
You mentioned that your son brought his red laser (which is completely harmless) to school; if you feel that he cannot treat these devices responsibly, then obviously, you shouldn't allow him to buy one. If he is going to shine a laser on people or something like that, then you'll find that everyone here will agree that he shouldn't have one in the first place.
One of the biggest problems concerning safety and lasers is the massive amount of rumors and made-up "laws." When I tell people that I am a laser hobbyist, they speak and act as though I am going to burn a hole right through my skull. Safety rumors make things more dangerous than they really are because they give people complete falsities.
At the same time, safety is of the utmost importance. A 5mW laser cannot cause eye damage unless you purposefully don't blink if you are exposed to it; that is to say that based on the data of various studies, it has been determined (and officially declared by the government) that lasers of power 5mW and under are safe because your blink reflex will prevent permanent damage. If you purposefully don't blink, it will be like directly staring at the sun: you'll develop a blind spot.
It is for this reason that I would say that a 5mW laser is a good introduction for someone who is interested in the hobby.
You mentioned that your son brought his red laser (which is completely harmless) to school; if you feel that he cannot treat these devices responsibly, then obviously, you shouldn't allow him to buy one. If he is going to shine a laser on people or something like that, then you'll find that everyone here will agree that he shouldn't have one in the first place.
