Editing Laser pointer (section)

===Australia===
In April 2008, citing a series of coordinated attacks on passenger jets in [[Sydney]], the Australian government announced that it would restrict the sale and importation of certain laser items. The government had yet to determine which classes of laser pointers to ban.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://news.smh.com.au/laser-pointers-restricted-after-attacks/20080406-240f.html |title = Laser pointers restricted after attacks |access-date = 6 April 2008 |date = 6 April 2008 |publisher = [[Sydney Morning Herald]] |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080411063650/http://news.smh.com.au/laser-pointers-restricted-after-attacks/20080406-240f.html |archive-date = 11 April 2008 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> After some debate, the government voted to ban importation of lasers that emit a beam stronger than 1&nbsp;mW, effective from 1 July 2008. Those whose professions require the use of a laser can apply for an exemption.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080728165341/http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?c=10444 Minister media release. Importation of laser pointers banned]. [[Australian Customs Service]]. Friday, 30 May 2008</ref> In [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] and the Australian Capital Territory a laser pointer with an accessible emission limit greater than 1&nbsp;mW is classified as a prohibited weapon and any sale of such items must be recorded.<ref>[http://www.dms.dpc.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/PubStatbook.nsf/0/655C4BD36C276088CA256E5B0021A8DD/$FILE/00-130sr.pdf Control of Weapons Regulations 2000]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910041342/http://www.dms.dpc.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/PubStatbook.nsf/0/655C4BD36C276088CA256E5B0021A8DD/%24FILE/00-130sr.pdf |date=10 September 2008 }} S.R. No. 130/2000 Schedule 2 Number 33</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110303002900/http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/139894/FACT_SHEET_Prohibited_Weapons_LASER_POINTER_May_2010.pdf  Fact Sheet: Prohibited Weapons, Laser Pointers], May_2010, [[NSW Police Force]]</ref> In Western Australia, regulatory changes have classified laser pointers as controlled weapons and demonstration of a lawful reason for possession is required.<ref>Kobelke, John (13 April 2008) [http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=130007 Laser pointers are now controlled weapons] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127040643/http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=130007 |date=27 January 2011 }}. Government of Western Australia.</ref> The WA state government has also banned as of 2000 the manufacture, sale and possession of laser pointers higher than class 2.<ref>Day, John (3 January 2000) [http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=113799 The State Government has banned the manufacture, sale and possession of laser pointers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127053915/http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=113799 |date=27 January 2011 }}. Government of Western Australia.</ref> In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory the product safety standard for laser pointers prescribes that they must be a Class 1 or a Class 2 laser product.<ref>[http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fragview/inforce/subordleg+413+2007+pt.2-div.18-sec.73+0+N?dq=Document%20Types%3D%22Acts,%20Regs%22,%20All%20Words%3D%22Laser%20pointers%22,%20Search%20In%3D%22Text%22 Extract from New South Wales Fair Trading Regulation 2007]. Legislation.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved on 15 October 2011</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080910041343/http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/sl/2002-39/current/pdf/2002-39.pdf Fair Trading (Consumer Product Standards) Regulation 2002]. Republication date: 3 April 2008</ref> In February 2009 South African cricketer [[Wayne Parnell]] had a laser pointer directed at his eyes when attempting to take a catch, which he dropped. He denied that it was a reason for dropping the ball, but despite this the MCG decided to keep an eye out for the laser pointers. The laser pointer ban only applies to hand-held battery-powered laser devices and not laser modules.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4372.asp |title=Australian Customs on Firearms and Weapons |publisher=Customs.gov.au |date=21 April 2013 |access-date=8 November 2016}}</ref>

In November 2015  a 14-year-old Tasmanian boy damaged both his eyes after shining a laser pen "... in his eyes for a very brief period of time". He burned his [[retinas]] near the [[macula]], the area where most of a person's central vision is located. As a result, the boy has almost immediately lost 75% of his vision, with little hope of  recovery.<ref name=abc-not-toys>{{cite news |last1=Ross|first1=Selina |title=Laser pointers not toys, optometrists warn, after Tasmanian teenager damages eyes |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-05/optometrist-warning-after-teen-burns-retinas-with-laser/6916564 |access-date=5 November 2015 |work=ABC News |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=5 November 2015}}</ref>