Australia's Science Forum

Labbies ...

I just wanted to let you know with regards to laser pointers there were changes to rules in the last few years ...
1st - you must not possess a laser point of more than 1mw (milliwatt)
2nd - anything over 1mw is classified a prohibited weapon

If you do have any laser pointers of MORE than 1mw ... you are required by law to have a prohibited weapons licence...
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/online_ser ... er_pointer

You school will then need to ascertain if you hand the pointers into police - or apply as a school with an application for each teacher
So it is $127 for 5 years and then $25 per teach for the 5 years also ..

Hope this is helpful ...

Very interesting, Kate. Thanks for sharing that with us. We don't have a laser here yet, but I know they are a standard fixture at most schools.

Do you know if that law applies to these....
Physics teachers were hoping to get a speed gun but I noticed that supply companies which used to sell them no longer do, so I had thought they may be no longer legal.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bushnell-Vel ... 1646258081

Kathryn

Thanks for the heads up, we have a laser pointer but I have no idea how powerful it is.

M

Kathryn wrote:Do you know if that law applies to these....
Physics teachers were hoping to get a speed gun but I noticed that supply companies which used to sell them no longer do, so I had thought they may be no longer legal.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bushnell-Vel ... 1646258081

Kathryn

Hi Kathryn - sorry no au fait with speed gun rules ...

Kathryn wrote:Do you know if that law applies to these....
Physics teachers were hoping to get a speed gun but I noticed that supply companies which used to sell them no longer do, so I had thought they may be no longer legal.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bushnell-Vel ... 1646258081

Kathryn

Those speed guns use Radar which is Microwave not laser so I would say that they are not under the same rules.
Whether they are approved for use by ACMA in Australia ( Australia Communications Media Authority) would be more of a concern.

Oh I wondered how they worked. Any idea how I check if they are ok to use under ACMA?
Kathryn

We've got the Hot Wheels toy radar gun that they use in Physics. I don't know how precise it is but it's good enough for producing a speed for a student running or a passing car so they can do their equations. I imagine that as it is a toy it will be safe.

Thanks for the information, I just pulled ours out and had a look luckily it's only 0.8mW. It's a Metrologic Neon Laser and we still have the original code of practice from 1975...

I sent a email to the firearms inquires, after a lengthy phone call (on hold) the guideline have changed again with special exemptions from the 1st juy.

Still haven't heard back that was on Wednesday morning.

We have a large laser which plugs into mains power, however it does state Max output. 1mW Wavelength 633mm. If they could please let me know if this is exempt or do we require a permit.

I just checked ours Macca , sound the same as yours .I'm calling it OK based on what Lorikeet said

Lorikeet wrote:1st - you must not possess a laser point of more than 1mw (milliwatt)
.

macca wrote:I sent a email to the firearms inquires, after a lengthy phone call (on hold) the guideline have changed again with special exemptions from the 1st juy.

Still haven't heard back that was on Wednesday morning.

We have a large laser which plugs into mains power, however it does state Max output. 1mW Wavelength 633mm. If they could please let me know if this is exempt or do we require a permit.

Just got confirmation all good.