New South Wales to ban laser pointers

The legislation follows a spate of incidents in which aircraft pilots have been temporarily blinded by laser pointers used from the ground.

Using a laser pointer 'improperly' would carry a $5,000 fine or two years in jail, or 14 years for improper use of a high-powered device.

New South Wales State Premier Morris Iemma claimed that the ban would "stop the potential for mass murder".

"I cannot underestimate the catastrophic consequences if a plane is brought down by one of these fools, these idiots, these reckless individuals who want to use these high-powered hand-held lasers and think it's a joke," he said.

Earlier this year six planes had to divert from Sydney airport after a laser pointer was aimed into the cockpits while on final approach. Last year a rescue helicopter carrying a critically ill patient was also forced to divert due to " laser disruption".

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