U.S. Senator Charles Schumer wants those powerful green hand lasers banned because they are a threat to pilots and airplanes.
The Brooklyn Democrat said there have been one incidents at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, part of a pattern of dozens of laser hits on airplanes across the state in the last three years. While in Buffalo Sunday for the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Schumer told reporters evidence is that green lasers are much more dangerous to the eyes of pilots than are other colors. There was an incident last Monday at LaGuardia Airport in New York City.
"All over the country, here in Buffalo and around the country and in New York City and elsewhere, some people, some of them are pranksters. They may not mean harm although they do it," Schumer said.
"Some of them are worse. They try to shine these long-term powerful lasers into pilot's eyes. A couple of pilots have gone blind. God forbid a plane goes down because they've done it."
Schumer is asking the Food and Drug Administration which regulates lasers to ban the green lasers. He says this may be enough of an issue that it may get through, even with the political atmosphere in Washington.
