OK, I had a pretty unnerving experience last night. I was participating in a country event at a state park, and I took out one of my green lasers as usual. A lot of people thought the laser was cool, but I think it also attracted a bit too much attention this time.
A guy approached me and claimed he was an FBI agent. He told me that shining lasers into the sky was illegal, and that my laser was a weapon. The guy also said he would confiscate my laser and arrest me if saw me with the laser again. I told him I was qualified to handle high-powered lasers, and that I always make sure there are no aircraft in the sky before turning on my laser, but he never acknowledged this.
However, I have some doubts whether this guy was legit:
1. When a federal agent announces their presence, they are supposed to display their badge immediately. This guy did not.
2. I asked the guy to show me his badge. He only showed me his wallet, and while it did have "F.B.I." on it, it lacked the agency's signature golden insignia. He also flipped through it very quickly, as if he did not want me to have a closer look.
3. According to my parents, this guy seemed like he was trying to lure me to a place where there were few other people. A real agent would be unlikely to do this.
4. My parents also said that the guy looked nervous when I took his photo. He told me to delete it, which I only pretended to.
5. As soon as Mom and Dad approached, the guy immediately turned around and walked away. A genuine FBI agent would not be deterred by the presence of my parents.
To his credit, he did tell me that shining lasers at aircraft was illegal, but anyone with the slightest bit of common sense knows this. In the end, I think he was just a loser with an easily-obtainable fake badge (which are often sold as "novelties") who tried to use it to get a free laser.
If the guy was just impersonating an FBI agent (which I think he was), then I hope he gets busted sooner or later, since inpersonating a federal agent is a serious crime. If he was legit, though, then I'd say I was very lucky. In any case, I was afraid to take out the laser again, even after I was sure that the guy had left.
I thought I'd use this experience to remind my fellow LPF members to be careful when using lasers in public places. It may attract unwanted attention - and not just from law enforcement.
A guy approached me and claimed he was an FBI agent. He told me that shining lasers into the sky was illegal, and that my laser was a weapon. The guy also said he would confiscate my laser and arrest me if saw me with the laser again. I told him I was qualified to handle high-powered lasers, and that I always make sure there are no aircraft in the sky before turning on my laser, but he never acknowledged this.
However, I have some doubts whether this guy was legit:
1. When a federal agent announces their presence, they are supposed to display their badge immediately. This guy did not.
2. I asked the guy to show me his badge. He only showed me his wallet, and while it did have "F.B.I." on it, it lacked the agency's signature golden insignia. He also flipped through it very quickly, as if he did not want me to have a closer look.
3. According to my parents, this guy seemed like he was trying to lure me to a place where there were few other people. A real agent would be unlikely to do this.
4. My parents also said that the guy looked nervous when I took his photo. He told me to delete it, which I only pretended to.
5. As soon as Mom and Dad approached, the guy immediately turned around and walked away. A genuine FBI agent would not be deterred by the presence of my parents.
To his credit, he did tell me that shining lasers at aircraft was illegal, but anyone with the slightest bit of common sense knows this. In the end, I think he was just a loser with an easily-obtainable fake badge (which are often sold as "novelties") who tried to use it to get a free laser.
If the guy was just impersonating an FBI agent (which I think he was), then I hope he gets busted sooner or later, since inpersonating a federal agent is a serious crime. If he was legit, though, then I'd say I was very lucky. In any case, I was afraid to take out the laser again, even after I was sure that the guy had left.
I thought I'd use this experience to remind my fellow LPF members to be careful when using lasers in public places. It may attract unwanted attention - and not just from law enforcement.
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