In Florida, Securing Airplane Cockpits Against Lasers Act

Washington, Sep 29 - The Judiciary Committee unanimously passed today Congressman Ric Keller's (R-Orlando) Securing Airplane Cockpits Against Lasers Act, a bill to protect pilots from distracting and dangerous lasers.

"It's only a matter of time before one of these laser-beam-pranksters ends up killing over 200 people in a commercial airline crash," Keller said.

Since 1990 there have been over 400 reported incidents where pilots have been disoriented or temporarily blinded by laser exposure.

Keller's bill makes it illegal to knowingly aim a laser-pointer at an airplane. Criminals who do so could be fined or imprisoned for up to 5 years.

Keller's speech on the bill follows:

"Aiming a laser beam into the cockpit of an airplane is a clear and present danger to the safety of all those onboard the aircraft.

"This legislation is simple and straightforward. It makes it illegal to knowingly aim a laser pointer at an aircraft. Those who intentionally engage in such misconduct, shall be fined or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, in the discretion of the judge.

"A recent rash of incidents involving lasers aimed at aircraft cockpits has raised concerns by pilots and law enforcement officials over the potential threat to aviation safety and security.

"The problem is more widespread than one might think. According to the Congressional Research Service and the Federal Aviation Administration, there have been over 400 incidents reported since 1990 where pilots have been disoriented or temporarily blinded by laser exposure.