Border Patrol Warns of Increased Laser Pointers Aimed at Aircrafts

Guess what? Aiming a laser pointer of any kind at an airplane is considered a federal crime. This is the case, well, pretty much anywhere, but especially when it comes to military or law enforcement aircrafts in America.

Save the Lasers for the Raves...

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently released a statement about an increase in laser pointer incidents affecting CBP aircrafts. 

They noted that there have been six separate documented times in the past few months where pilots have had to take detours along the border in order to avoid laser beams. 

CBP officers remind the public that owning a laser pointer is not illegal, shining it in cockpits of mid-air flights most definitely is. This FEDERAL crime can come with punishments of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Side Effects of Unprofessional Lasering

According to laserpointersafety.com--great name, by the way--shining a laser pointer at aircrafts not only can result in you being placed under arrest, but it can also damage sensors and cameras on planes and drones. 

They go on to say that just because your laser pointer looks like it doesn’t reach any further than your tallest tree in the front yard, believe me, IT DOES. 

There are three main reasons that shining lasers at aircrafts is not good, and they range from bad to worse. First of all, the lightest punishment you could receive is a trial date and potential jail time. This is because, as stated previously, it is a federal crime in America to shine a laser pointer at an aircraft. 

Oh yeah, you could also be SHOT. If you happen to shine a laser pointer at a military or law enforcement aircraft, they could interpret it as a sniper lining up a shot. Bottom line: Not worth.