Teen gets 30 months in jail for shooting laser pointer at airplane


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As part of a federal crackdown, this week 19-year-old Adam Gardenhire was sentenced to 30 months in prison for shining a laser pointer at two aircraft. Gardenhire was arrested in March of 2012 for aiming a green laser at a private plane landing at Burbank airport, and then at a police helicopter that arrived to investigate. According to the police report, the beam struck the airplane pilot's eye multiple times, causing impairment through to the following day. The helicopter pilot was wearing protective eyegear and was unaffected.

Gardenhire is been charged under a new law signed last year that makes it a federal crime to deliberately point a laser pointer at an aircraft. The FAA reports over 3,000 laser-pointer attacks each year, but this is only the second case to be successfully prosecuted under the new statute.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/26/4150238/teen-gets-30-months-in-jail-for-laser-pointer-attack-under-faa-new-law

good, now make it a crime to use them in movie theaters as well.

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It was recently in the news that it's on the increase at being pointed at train drivers too. I think anyone doing this needs to have an upgraded powerful blu-ray (the ones that cause matches to ignite) aimed at their eyes for a few minutes and see how they like it.

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Planes are higher profile, but I've seen punks aiming them at pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers for fun as well. Had it happen to me once while waiting for a bus, and I very loudly pointed the two out to everyone on the block and announced what they were doing. Goofs tried to laugh it off, but slunk away after a few minutes.

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good, now make it a crime to use them in movie theaters as well.

People use them in movie theatres? :huh: Even if that is a regular occurrence there is no need to criminalise it - it's a civil matter. The theatre should eject anybody disrupting the viewing experience. And if you're referring to it being shined in people's eyes then that should be a crime regardless of the venue.

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People use them in movie theatres? :huh: Even if that is a regular occurrence there is no need to criminalise it - it's a civil matter. The theatre should eject anybody disrupting the viewing experience. And if you're referring to it being shined in people's eyes then that should be a crime regardless of the venue.

I was mostly joking, but yes...I have been at the movie several times where idiots/kids shine smiley faces, starts, or other annoying crap. One time, the person doing it almost got his ass kicked.

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Bubba will sort him out. He won't be pointing lasers at anyone's eyes again. In fact, his own may never uncross again! :p

It couldn't happen to a better fellow. :D

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I have been at the movie several times where idiots/kids shine smiley faces, starts, or other annoying crap. One time, the person doing it almost got his ass kicked.

I'm not surprised - they can easily blind you and most people would regard it as assault. I'm not a violent person but I wouldn't tolerate somebody shining one in my face.

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I was mostly joking, but yes...I have been at the movie several times where idiots/kids shine smiley faces, starts, or other annoying crap. One time, the person doing it almost got his ass kicked.

I've not seen that but I certainly wouldn't tolerate it for one second. Movie tickets cost too much to tolerate any crap while there.

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