U.S. Says Terrorists Could Use Lasers

[Remmah]

I thought terrorist were going to use the .50 cal to do this. Isn't that why the .50's are being banned? This is even worse because there are no federal restrictions on these.

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/story.jsp?floc=NW_1-T&oldflok=NW_1-T&oldflok=FF-APO-1152&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20041210%2F0714166152.htm&sc=1152&photoid=20041207PAR114

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal officials are
concerned that terrorists could try to down
aircraft by blinding pilots with laser beams
during landing approaches.

A memo sent to law enforcement agencies
recently by the FBI and the Homeland Security Department says there is evidence
that terrorists have explored using lasers as weapons.

[trotsky]

1. When they start strapping them to sharks, THEN I'll worry.

:eyes:

[TwoHandedLayup]

5. Wasn't that on Sealab?

or what cartoon was it?

[trotsky]

6. Could be...

I was thinking of Austin Powers. Dr. Evil: "Sharks with friggin laser beams on their heads"

[TwoHandedLayup]

7. Maybe that is it....

thanks for the chuckle

[rkc3]

2. Next they'll send out a report about terrorists throwing

geese into airliner engines to bring them down.

[DeaconBlues]

3. I guess the explosive water coolers they were planning to throw into the

water ways didn't pan out.

[TwoHandedLayup]

4. There are restrictions

Look up green lasers in google and you will find many. Some are illegal, but you can buy them and they have the power to reach for miles. Granted it would take one steady hand to hit a pilot in a sitting or even moving aircraft.

[Remmah]

11. Green Lasers

There are green surgical lasers that are water cooled and can be turned on for a length of time. Used for eye surgery, laser ablation (sp?) of tumors and tattoo removal. Pretty intense. I don't know about restrictions but an abuser could turn one on and just aim until the target is zapped.

I've seen kids driving down the highway shooting them into the faces of other drivers, this was with those office pointer lasers. Way under powered and annoying at best. I have one and the cat chases the red dot for hours.

OTOH someone could possibly steal a medical laser from a suburban eye clinic.

I do like the Tom Clancy comment down below.

[Jack_DeLeon]

15. I have a green laser...

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/lights/5a47/

[MrSandman]

16. I hope they don't...

Point those at an officer in a dark alley.

http://www.crimsontrace.com/

[-..__...]

18. You're closer to the truth than you may think.

I remember reading an article from a quite a few years ago where the DoD was looking into the possibility of using lasers in combat... not for targeting or range estimation, but to blind (permanently, IIRC), enemy combatants.

The technology was supposed to have been derived from the lasers commonly used in eye surgery.

[Squatch]

8. More evidence that THIS government's purpose

is to keep you nice and scared.

[slackmaster]

9. For the second time in five minutes I have to respond with one word

"Exactly."

:toast:

[Redneck Socialist]

10. Apparently terrorists get all their ideas from Tom Clancy novels.

:eyes:

[Remmah]

12. Are they finally stealing our submarines? nt

:)

[Redneck Socialist]

13. That's on the to do list

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1059323

[Columbia]

14. Once laaazers are outlawed

Only outlaws will have laaazers.

</Dr.Evil>

[robre]

19. read the top of this page

http://www.altair.org/CO2laser.htm

[Columbia]

20. Wow

So much for originality. :dunce:

[MrSandman]

17. Wouldn't a man portable SAM...

Be more efficient?