Australia to restrict sales of laser pointers after unsolved airliner attacks

April 06, 2008, 12:21 AM Post Comments

Australia plans to restrict sales of high-powered laser pointers after a series of unsolved attacks temporarily blinded airline pilots as they prepared to land, an official said Sunday.

The new regulations could treat sales of laser pointers _ typically used in classrooms and presentations _ like firearms, said Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus.

"Recent attacks on pilots have highlighted the seriousness of the problem," he said in a statement. "It's destructive, dangerous behavior which needs a coordinated response across Australia."

It was unclear who carried out the attacks on planes preparing to land at Sydney's Kingsford Smith airport. In one 15-minute incident last week, a number of lasers were directed at six airliners, forcing pilots to change their approach.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson said it was unlikely the lasers could cause a crash, especially on commercial flights which have two pilots. But some pilots reported being temporarily blinded and getting headaches from the glare.

Debus said details and timing of the laser restrictions have yet to be finalized.

Legitimate users of lasers such as surveyors, astronomers as well as the mining and construction industries would be exempt from restrictions, he said.

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