http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lasers-pointed-six-aircraft-across-three-states-faa-n462741
(http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lasers-pointed-six-aircraft-across-three-states-faa-n462741)
Coincidence ? Maybe.
Coordinated Terrorism ? Black Lives Matter ? Occupy ? Randow A-Holes ?
These powerful Green Lasers can blind pilots and in their own way can be just as effective as a SAM (Surface-to-Air-Missle).
I'm not much for BANNING things, but this is the letter I emailed to my local Politicians:
We have strict laws in place that restrict GUNS. Guns that can kill perhaps a dozen people in a rampage.
And yet we allow powerful HIGH-POWER HAND-HELD LASERS, that aimed at Airplane Pilots, have the potential to kill HUNDREDS at once ?
Firearm ownership is protected by the Second Admendment because they have a legitimate use - Personal Self Defense.
These High-Power Hand-Held Lasers that have been threatening Pilots have NO LEGITIMATE USE.
Small lasers are used in CD-ROMS, Blu-Ray Players, Construction Levels, Range-Finders, and as Firearm Targeting accessories. These low-powered devices are generally safe, and these uses are legitimate.
More powerful models are essential to Eye Surgeons, and as Cutting Tools in Industry. These powerful models are expensive and pose no threat.
But INEXPENSIVE HIGH-POWER HAND-HELD LASERS HAVE NO LEGITIMATE USES, AND MUST BE BANNED. It's high time these be treated as the DEADLY WEAPONS they really are.
Thoughts ?
Pointing lasers at pilots is nothing new. This has been going on for years all across the country.
Quote from: Dori on November 15, 2015, 05:09:24 PM
Pointing lasers at pilots is nothing new. This has been going on for years all across the country.
Yes, it has.
Is it really necessary that some maniacs take down Air Force One before appropriate action is legislated ?
I don't want that to happen. Nor do I want some plane full of everyday tourists to die.
No such thing as Co-incidence Vis a Vis terrorist attacks and green lasers, they were trying to disrupt aerial surveillance.
Not terrorism at all - but check this out:
Russian Ravers Blinded By Concert Lasers
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/russian-ravers-blinded-by-concert-lasers/
Lasers are not harmless.
Quote from: Billy's bayonet on November 15, 2015, 05:22:41 PM
No such thing as Co-incidence Vis a Vis terrorist attacks and green lasers, they were trying to disrupt aerial surveillance.
And kill people.
And Cops.
A High-Power Hand-Held Lasers in the right hands is a weapon just like a gun. Designed to help inflicting bodily harm or physical damage when needed. We use lasers for a good many thing in this day and age.
Quote from: walkstall on November 15, 2015, 05:43:58 PM
A High-Power Hand-Held Lasers in the right hands is a weapon just like a gun. Designed to help inflicting bodily harm or physical damage when needed. We use lasers for a good many thing in this day and age.
Oh course Lasers are good.
But do you see any legitimate use for High-Powered Hand-Held Lasers ?
Because as far as I understand it, they are instruments of mayhem, only.
Quote from: SalemCat on November 15, 2015, 05:59:56 PM
Oh course Lasers are good.
But do you see any legitimate use for High-Powered Hand-Held Lasers ?
Because as far as I understand it, they are instruments of mayhem, only.
So is a AK47 a instrument of mayhem? Or is it the person using it?
Quote from: SalemCat on November 15, 2015, 05:59:56 PM
Oh course Lasers are good.
But do you see any legitimate use for High-Powered Hand-Held Lasers ?
Because as far as I understand it, they are instruments of mayhem, only.
Entertainment.
"High Powered" is a bit of a stretch. Sure they're "high powered" compared to other hand held pointers. But they're just toys compared to an industrial laser. Anything over 5mw is regulated in the US already.
This whole "pointers taking down planes" is a dreamed up phantasm by the media trying to get a scary headline.
Be careful what you call to ban, as you may find yourself in need of that item in the future. Sadly your argument borders on the same approach to those who desire to ban auto-loading rifles and the like based on those few who misuse them. Besides, call high power hand-held laser a weapon (for which an argument is easily made), and they fall under the second amendment.
I have been using laser pointers for years in my astronomy club when giving presentations to the general public. I have found the more powerful ones give a better result when showing large crowds around the night sky. In fact, I have progressed to ever more powerful devices over the years because they perform better in more circumstances. They can also come in handy when pointing out something across a medium-large well-lit room when needed. And, yes, they have some potential military uses, if needed.
The fact that people are abusing these items is no more reason to ban them than the misuse of alcohol in combination with motor vehicles is a call to ban either of those. Some butt hook misuses ANY item, and the result is I need to satisfy some government agency as to my legitimacy (assuming I have any opportunity to use said item at all) is NOT what I grew up to view as a society based on personal freedoms. As with ANY item, the legitimate approach in a FREE society is to prosecute those who abuse their freedoms, while leaving those who do not abuse them the hell alone.
Quote from: walkstall on November 15, 2015, 06:10:10 PM
So is a AK47 a instrument of mayhem? Or is it the person using it?
Well, you got me.
I believe our Founding Fathers would have allowed INDIVIDUAL OWNERSHIP of the most powerful weapons available at the time.
After all, there is nothing in the Second Admendment banning Cannon, or Frigates !
The Goverment MUST be afraid of "We, The People".
So you have got me in a twist.
I DO want people to own even Automatic Weapons, legally. But I DON'T want Lasers.
Perhaps I fear Total Blindness more than Death ?
Quote from: SalemCat on November 15, 2015, 06:47:24 PM
Well, you got me.
I believe our Founding Fathers would have allowed INDIVIDUAL OWNERSHIP of the most powerful weapons available at the time.
After all, there is nothing in the Second Admendment banning Cannon, or Frigates !
The Goverment MUST be afraid of "We, The People".
So you have got me in a twist.
I DO want people to own even Automatic Weapons, legally. But I DON'T want Lasers.
Perhaps I fear Total Blindness more than Death ?
Like everything, it can be a weapon, it can also act as a deterent.
Worst case scenario, our Military turns on us (of course it won't happen) but with a lazer, you have the option of blinding your attacker, rather than killing them.
Ask yourself, what would you prefer, temporary blindness, or death?
Quote from: SalemCat on November 15, 2015, 05:06:19 PM
Coincidence ? Maybe.
Coordinated Terrorism ? Black Lives Matter ? Occupy ? Randow A-Holes ?
These powerful Green Lasers can blind pilots and in their own way can be just as effective as a SAM (Surface-to-Air-Missle).
This is a ludicrous premise to a ludicrous thread.
Quote from: SalemCat on November 15, 2015, 06:47:24 PM
Well, you got me.
I believe our Founding Fathers would have allowed INDIVIDUAL OWNERSHIP of the most powerful weapons available at the time.
After all, there is nothing in the Second Admendment banning Cannon, or Frigates !
The Goverment MUST be afraid of "We, The People".
So you have got me in a twist.
I DO want people to own even Automatic Weapons, legally. But I DON'T want Lasers.
Perhaps I fear Total Blindness more than Death ?
Blindness is not the end of the world as we know it. But Death is.
I have a big sign in front of my place. BIG children at play, please drive carefully. It cracks my Neighbor(s)up, they live over ¾ a mile away. You could put up a Lasers free zone at your place.
Quote from: SalemCat on November 15, 2015, 05:17:26 PM
Yes, it has.
Is it really necessary that some maniacs take down Air Force One before appropriate action is legislated ?
I don't want that to happen. Nor do I want some plane full of everyday tourists to die.
If they take down Air Force one between now and January 20 2017, I'll feel bad for the crew, the Secret Service agents and the Presidential staff. And of course any citizens they might come down on. Other than that........... (shrugs shoulders) he was probably just going to a fund raiser or out to play golf anyway..
Quote from: mhughes on November 15, 2015, 06:18:24 PM
Entertainment.
"High Powered" is a bit of a stretch. Sure they're "high powered" compared to other hand held pointers. But they're just toys compared to an industrial laser. Anything over 5mw is regulated in the US already.
This whole "pointers taking down planes" is a dreamed up phantasm by the media trying to get a scary headline.
Ahhhh.... not so. I have a 25mw Red laser, recently purchased from an Amazon dealer for $52, that I use for tracing fibers. It's reported range is 20km, but after opening it up, I can increase it's brightness several fold by a simple adjustment. Cranked up all the way, I'd guess it's doing better than 50mw...
The 1mw & 5mw lasers are practically useless, unless the room is completely dark. This laser is so bright, I can see it thru fiber caps, connectors, splices - exactly what I need.
Quote from: mdgiles on November 16, 2015, 06:33:39 AM
If they take down Air Force one between now and January 20 2017, I'll feel bad for the crew, the Secret Service agents and the Presidential staff. And of course any citizens they might come down on. Other than that........... (shrugs shoulders) he was probably just going to a fund raiser or out to play golf anyway..
You've mentioned you live in the general New York City area, so see if this makes sense. Any fundraiser worth going to will be in Da Big Apple, meaning Air Force One must use runways which can actually handle that type aircraft. Narrow that down and you most likely will still be in the metro New York area where population is densest for the East Coast.
That size of plane requires a certain runway length. It wouldn't take much to narrow it down farther, and then set up sustained surveillance to know WHERE to point a given light-beam, and find radio access to the control tower to know WHICH aircraft they need to do that to, and (as mentioned) a strong-enough beam to effectively knock the plane down...again on an urban area.
Now consider, M.D. --- who's more likely to get hurt here? Republicans or Democrats? The least that brain-dead can do is take some liberals with him, yes? :wink:
For some reason, this thread inspires me to recall the phrase "Visible from Space".
Often it is used to describe The Great Wall of China, or a fire.
So tell me, is not EVERYTHING visible from space ? Simply depends on what Telescope is available.