Laser Beams...

[BCB]

Are the lasers used on sights intense enough to blind a person? I have always heard that laser beams will blind a person...Are there different types and intensities of lasers? This was discussed at work today, so I thought I would come here and get the correct answer from the "authorities"...BCB

[klausg]

BCB- while I'm not sure of what type laser is used in the laser sights, (probably HeNe), I can say that the "eye-safe" laser is a fallacy. Any laser will cause damage, low-intensity "eye-safe" just don't cause any appreciable damage; I'm pretty sure you'd have to stare at one for awhile in order to do anything.

-Klaus

[Bigjohn]

I can speak from personal experience, The beam of a LASER Pointer or sight is strong enough to damage the sight in a persons eye. The damage will depend on exposure and this will depend on the persons ability to block the beam via eyelid, hand in front of eyes or other solid object.

The stronger the device and the beam the less time it will take to cause damage but if the device was strong enough...... shall I shoot him again Mr. Spock! I think once is enough, Jim.[smilie=1:

In my case, I had an ijiot shine a laser pointer into one of my eyes; the first I knew about was everything went RED, (it must have been a direct hit on the centre of my eye), a day or so after this happened I had something simular to welders flash but lucky for me an inspection via the Eye Specialist showed no premanent damage.

At about the time this happened there had been a court case in which a person was found guilty of assault on a Police Officer for doing just the same as what happened to me. I knew the person who did it to me and I gave him the good news that if it happened again I would have charges laid against him. He thought it was a joke until then.

If these items are used as designed then there is no problem but be warned some people may react in an unexpected way if they see a small red dot projected on their vital regions! :Fire:

John

[redneckdan]

If these items are used as designed then there is no problem but be warned some people may react in an unexpected way if they see a small red dot projected on their vital regions! :Fire:

John

exactly, if I saw a laser dancing on my torso, my first thought would be "gun".

[DLCTEX]

While in a resturant in Lubbock, Tx. a few years ago, I saw a red dot appear on my son's chest. My reaction was immediate to locate it's source, a group of young boys a few tables away. I started for their table and one of them took off and didn't return.

[wills]

§ 42.13. USE OF LASER[0] POINTERS. (a) A person commits an
offense if the person knowingly directs a light from a laser pointer
at a uniformed safety officer, including a peace officer, security
guard, firefighter, emergency medical service worker, or other
uniformed municipal, state, or federal officer.
(b) In this section, "laser pointer" means a device that
emits a visible light amplified by the stimulated emission of
radiation.
(c) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 467, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Apparently it is OK to point them at the rest of us.