Such an old discussion *sigh*. No reason not to discuss it though I suppose. Personally, I base my feelings on the apparent lack of real-world cases of public laser-induced injury. By injury I mean physical damage requiring the intervention of a medical professional. There aren't many reported cases of injury, quite a bit fewer than most other dangerous hobbies. Therefore it's my proposal that there be NO further limits, regulations or rules. In fact, I'd like it if there were no regulations other than those governing laser hazards to aviation. IMO if there is no evidence to support a serious problem, then there is no serious problem. It's never a good idea to legislate based on wild hypotheses about what "could" happen. There are already handheld lasers that are deep in class IV territory.. and many are in the hands of youths and probably at least some are in the hands of people (youths or otherwise) who should not have them. And yet there is no epidemic of blinded morons or innocent bystanders. I say wait until there is a real reason for more laws/rules/etc.
Now I've heard the whole "but there could be LOADS of subtle injuries going unreported" argument. It's my position that if that is the case, if the "injuries" are so minor as to go completely unnoticed by the people inflicted with them then there is no real issue. People who listen to loud music a lot might find themselves losing their hearing eventually through gradual subtle injury, but you're not required to present a license in order to buy (or build if you're able) some serious headphones.
^IMO
