What I've been wondering is how wicked lasers has stayed out of the FDA's spotlight this long. From everything I've read, they are in violation of FDA regulations & federal law. They are marketing these overpowered lasers as pointing devices. Quoting from Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 1040.10(b)(39): Class IIIb hand-held lasers are too dangerous for use as pointers or amusement articles. Furthermore, promotion of Class IIIb or IEC Class 3B products for pointing or amusement violates FDA requirements and United States law. Manufacturers of such products may be required to repair, replace, or refund the purchase price of violative products distributed in the U.S. These products are also subject to detention and seizure by the U.S. Customs and Border Irresponsible use of more powerful laser pointers poses a significant risk of injury to the people exposed. Persons who misuse or irresponsibly use lasers are open to personal liability and prosecution. Further digging shows the FDA is trying to track down marketer of these products. My guess is like most government agencies, they are woefully understaffed. Getting them into the US also seems to be bit of sleight of hand. I checked with a contact I have in our brokerage house and he said that Class IIIB lasers would be confiscated at the border unless the importer had a valid license, essentially that they have a valid reason to utilize them in the course of business, e.g. Licensed light show operators or research facilities etc. They may be using a license to import, but I was told the resale of said lasers would be illegal. For the record, this has always been the case, long before the whole shining at airplanes thing came up. As far as I can see there e is no real federal statute against owning one, the onus is on the seller, although the FDA is specific to point out that misuse of a class IIIB laser subjects the offender to criminal penalties & civil liability. My 0.181553 Moroccan Dirham's worth Rick Tejera President Editor SACnews Saguaro Astronomy Club Phoenix, Arizona saguaroastro@xxxxxxx www.saguaroastro.org -----Original Message----- From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Greg Askins Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 10:19 AM To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; EVAC Subject: [AZ-Observing] These Laser Pointers Look Like Trouble Brewing... http://www.wickedlasers.com/ -- See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please send personal replies to the author, not the list. -- See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please send personal replies to the author, not the list.