Well,
it's happened.
They're going forward with the ban.
Laser pointers restricted after attacks
April 6, 2008 - 5:08PM
The importation of laser pointers, which have been used in recent attacks on airliners, will be restricted, the federal government has announced.
"The government will introduce a new regime to restrict certain laser items, which could operate in the same way as the existing controls on firearms and weapons," Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus said in a statement after a recent high-level meeting.
"Recent attacks on pilots have highlighted the seriousness of the problem. It's destructive, dangerous behaviour which needs a coordinated response across Australia."
The crackdown follows a series of alarming incidents in recent weeks where lasers with the potential to flash-blind a pilot have targeted the cockpits of aircraft on final approach - over heavily populated areas - to Sydney's Kingsford Smith airport.
In one coordinated attack, a number of lasers were directed at an airliner, forcing the pilot to change his landing approach.
Opposition leader Brendan Nelson has backed the decision as a "move in the right direction".
"This emerging trend of people using lasers, particularly in an attempt to blind the pilots of aircraft and other things which are extremely important, is not only potentially damaging for those individuals that are being targeted by the lasers, but it could lead to a catastrophe," Dr Nelson told reporters in Sydney.
"Whilst we wouldn't normally want to rush in and see things being banned left right and centre, if that's the only way to deal with this increasing menace, then so be it."
Mr Debus said the commonwealth would work with the states and territories as well as with government and industry experts to identify which classes of laser pointers should be banned.
He said a five-point plan had been agreed to restrict the sale and importation of some laser pointers through uniform national laws, to provide training for pilots on risk avoidance and to develop an education campaign.
Mr Debus said the plan was developed after a Customs report recommended bans.
He said that since there were obviously legitimate uses for lasers by surveyors, astronomers and the mining and construction industries, there would have to be exemptions, as with other prohibited goods.
"Customs has also advised that border control is less effective unless the states and territories have the same laws regarding possession of lasers," he said.
"I am hoping we can get national cooperation on this - hundreds of aircraft across Australia are targeted every year and we need to work together to reduce the number of incidents."
Mr Debus said that with a huge number of laser pointers already out in the community, an education campaign was a crucial part of the plan.
"This sort of reckless, dangerous behaviour could have dire consequences," he said.
-----
http://news.smh.com.au/laser-pointers-restricted-after-attacks/20080406-240f.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/ban-to-stop-laser-attacks/2008/04/05/1207249536609.html
Also, the video of the stupid news reports can be found here, http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-au&brand=ninemsn&tab=m164
So now they've created a black market and laser pointers will flood into Australia and "entrepreneurs" will begin selling them at an inflated price.
Smart.
I'm gonna stock up now.
it's happened.
They're going forward with the ban.
Laser pointers restricted after attacks
April 6, 2008 - 5:08PM
The importation of laser pointers, which have been used in recent attacks on airliners, will be restricted, the federal government has announced.
"The government will introduce a new regime to restrict certain laser items, which could operate in the same way as the existing controls on firearms and weapons," Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus said in a statement after a recent high-level meeting.
"Recent attacks on pilots have highlighted the seriousness of the problem. It's destructive, dangerous behaviour which needs a coordinated response across Australia."
The crackdown follows a series of alarming incidents in recent weeks where lasers with the potential to flash-blind a pilot have targeted the cockpits of aircraft on final approach - over heavily populated areas - to Sydney's Kingsford Smith airport.
In one coordinated attack, a number of lasers were directed at an airliner, forcing the pilot to change his landing approach.
Opposition leader Brendan Nelson has backed the decision as a "move in the right direction".
"This emerging trend of people using lasers, particularly in an attempt to blind the pilots of aircraft and other things which are extremely important, is not only potentially damaging for those individuals that are being targeted by the lasers, but it could lead to a catastrophe," Dr Nelson told reporters in Sydney.
"Whilst we wouldn't normally want to rush in and see things being banned left right and centre, if that's the only way to deal with this increasing menace, then so be it."
Mr Debus said the commonwealth would work with the states and territories as well as with government and industry experts to identify which classes of laser pointers should be banned.
He said a five-point plan had been agreed to restrict the sale and importation of some laser pointers through uniform national laws, to provide training for pilots on risk avoidance and to develop an education campaign.
Mr Debus said the plan was developed after a Customs report recommended bans.
He said that since there were obviously legitimate uses for lasers by surveyors, astronomers and the mining and construction industries, there would have to be exemptions, as with other prohibited goods.
"Customs has also advised that border control is less effective unless the states and territories have the same laws regarding possession of lasers," he said.
"I am hoping we can get national cooperation on this - hundreds of aircraft across Australia are targeted every year and we need to work together to reduce the number of incidents."
Mr Debus said that with a huge number of laser pointers already out in the community, an education campaign was a crucial part of the plan.
"This sort of reckless, dangerous behaviour could have dire consequences," he said.
-----
http://news.smh.com.au/laser-pointers-restricted-after-attacks/20080406-240f.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/ban-to-stop-laser-attacks/2008/04/05/1207249536609.html
Also, the video of the stupid news reports can be found here, http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-au&brand=ninemsn&tab=m164
So now they've created a black market and laser pointers will flood into Australia and "entrepreneurs" will begin selling them at an inflated price.
Smart.
I'm gonna stock up now.
