Laser restrictions get Assembly OK

Erin Neff

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001 | 10:37 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Most adults view laser pointers as either a small flashlight or an annoyance often flashed onto the theater screen during the previews.

But Assemblyman Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, sees the tiny lights as more than a nuisance.

So he's hoping Assembly Bill 24, which unanimously passed the Assembly on Monday, will make teens think twice about how they use the red beamed accessories.

AB24 makes it a misdemeanor to shine the light from laser pointers on a person in a public place "in a manner that would cause a reasonable person apprehension or fear of bodily harm."

The bill also makes it a gross misdemeanor to shine the devices on any law enforcement, emergency medical, fire or security personnel.

While the bill has the same full Assembly support it did during the 1999 session, the language including nonlaw-enforcement personnel could kill the measure in the Senate, just as it did in 1999.

"Most educated people in the public realize that laser devices are sold with weapons," Nolan said. "If someone shines a laser on them, they might feel they are being targeted."

Nolan said that although the makeup of the Senate, including Judiciary Committee Chairman Mark James, has not changed since 1999, the measure stands a better chance this year.

"We have more time this session," Nolan said. "If the Senate understands the problem and has the same testimony that we had, it should pass."

The bill passed the Assembly on Monday 40-0 with John Carpenter, R-Elko, and Genie Ohrenschall, D-Las Vegas, excused.