Oklahoma § 21-1992 - Short title – Penalties - Definitions

§ 21-1992. Short title – Penalties - Definitions

A. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Laser

Safety Act".

B. Any person who knowingly and maliciously projects a laser,

as defined in this section, on or at a law enforcement officer

without the consent of the officer while the officer is acting

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 21. Crimes and Punishments

within the scope of the official duties of the officer shall be

guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a

fine of not more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). Any person who

commits a second or subsequent violation of this section shall be

guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than Five

Hundred Dollars ($500.00), a term of imprisonment in the county jail

for a period of not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine

and imprisonment.

C. Anyone who knowingly aims the beam of a laser pointer at an

aircraft in flight or at the flight path of an aircraft shall be

guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a

fine of not more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). Any person who

commits a second or subsequent violation of this section shall be

guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than Five

Hundred Dollars ($500.00), a term of imprisonment in the county jail

for a period of not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine

and imprisonment.

D. This section does not prohibit aiming a beam of a laser

pointer at an aircraft, or the flight path of such an aircraft by:

1. An authorized individual in the conduct of research and

development or flight test operations conducted by an aircraft

manufacturer, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other

person authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct

research and development or flight test operations;

2. Members or elements of the Department of Defense or

Department of Homeland Security acting in an official capacity for

the purpose of research, development, operations, testing or

training; or

3. By an individual using a laser emergency signaling device to

send an emergency distress signal.

E. As used in this section:

1. "Laser" or "laser pointer" means any device designed or used

to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that

emits a beam designed to be used by the operator as a pointer or

highlighter to indicate, mark or identify a specific position,

place, item or object; and

2. "Law enforcement officer" means any police officer, peace

officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, correctional officer, probation or

parole officer, emergency management employee, judge, magistrate, or

any employee of a governmental agency who is authorized by law to

engage in the investigation, arrest, prosecution, or supervision of

the incarceration of any person for any violation of law and has

statutory powers of arrest.

Added by Laws 2000, c. 32, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2000. Amended by Laws

2015, c. 18, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2015.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 21. Crimes and Punishments