Download Zipped Introduced WP 8.0 SB0155.ZIP 5,892 Bytes
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

S.B. 155

             1     

USE, POSSESSION, OR SALE OF LASER

             2     
POINTERS

             3     
2000 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: D. Edgar Allen

             6      AN ACT RELATING TO THE UTAH CRIMINAL CODE; CREATING THE CRIME OF
             7      UNLAWFUL USE, POSSESSION, OR SALE OF A LASER POINTER; ESTABLISHING
             8      PENALTIES; AND PROVIDING DEFINITIONS.
             9      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             10      ENACTS:
             11          76-10-2401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             12      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             13          Section 1. Section 76-10-2401 is enacted to read:
             14     
Part 24. Unlawful Use, Possession, or Sale of a Laser Pointer

             15          76-10-2401. Unlawful use, possession, or sale of a laser pointer.
             16          (1) As used in this section:
             17          (a) "Laser pointer" means a portable device that emits a visible beam of laser light that may
             18      be directed at a person and:
             19          (i) includes:
             20          (A) pen-like devices; and
             21          (B) pens, jewelry, watches, novelty items, and other devices that are designed with a
             22      built-in laser; and
             23          (ii) does not include:
             24          (A) sighting instruments designed for attachment to a firearm or an archer's bow;
             25          (B) devices designed solely for use in laser tag games; and
             26          (C) construction tools, survey instruments, binoculars, and, except as provided in
             27      Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B), other equipment intended for a use other than instruction or presentation.


             28          (b) "Law enforcement officer" means an officer under Section 53-13-103 .
             29          (c) "Minor" means a person younger than 18 years of age.
             30          (2) A person is guilty of unlawful use, possession, or sale of a laser pointer if the person:
             31          (a) directs a beam of laser light from a laser pointer at:
             32          (i) another person's or an animal's eyes;
             33          (ii) the occupants of a motor vehicle; or
             34          (iii) one who should reasonably be known by the person to be a law enforcement officer;
             35          (b) is a minor and, except as provided in Subsection (3), uses or possesses a laser pointer;
             36      or
             37          (c) sells a laser pointer to a minor.
             38          (3) Under the supervision of an adult a minor may use or possess a laser pointer in a school
             39      or other setting:
             40          (a) to make an audio visual or other presentation; or
             41          (b) to provide instruction.
             42          (4) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under Subsection (2)(a)(iii) that:
             43          (a) the law enforcement officer was not in uniform, not traveling in a vehicle identified as
             44      a law enforcement vehicle, and not otherwise engaged in an activity that would reasonably cause
             45      him to be known by the person as a law enforcement officer; and
             46          (b) the law enforcement officer was not otherwise known by the person to be a law
             47      enforcement officer.
             48          (5) Violation of Subsection (2) is an infraction, except that violation of Subsection
             49      (2)(a)(iii) is a class C misdemeanor.
             50          (6) Nothing in this section may be construed as limiting the ability of a school, public or
             51      private sports arena, or other organization to restrict the use, possession, and sale of laser pointers
             52      on its premises.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-25-00 5:58 PM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]