munitalP has run in with AFP at PER!

[munitalP]

I carry a laser pointer with me, 2 reasons, 1st, presentations and secondly pointing to things on jobs, electrical items that are mostly live.

I don't pay any attention to where I keep the laser, hand luggage mostly, but occasionally in my checked.

I have recently replaced the laser with a quite powerful unit I bought in China, it took 2AAA batteries and was great in daylight - you know the one QF009!

Notice I said was?

Flashware and I caught up for a quick drink at PER, the QP is closed to guests so we went out to the dome where we caught up over a cold one.

Bidding farewell, I went through PER new security area - my laptop bag got pulled and OLD MATE asked me if I had a laser pointer in my bag. Yep I have, wanna see it?

Next thing I know, my BP is gone, my laser is taken off me and I'm told the AFP will be here in a shot, its illegal to carry laser pointers in WA? WTF? HUH? SINCE WHEN?

The feds arrived - 2 of them, I was treated like they had just worked out I was OBL in disguise! My name run, all details taken, a whole heap of unhappiness I'll tell you! A full on good cop bad cop thing happening as well!

My quick retort to the initial security guard when he told me that people shone them out of windows of planes at other planes may have got me in a little deeper as well - my response to him was a very sarcastic "yeah, like I'll do that" was twisted then told to the AFP (by security gorilla #1) "yeah, good, I'll give that a go"... hmmmm

So, after being detained for a while, explaining that I have been carrying laser pointers since PowerPoint was invented, giving the FEDS my laser and filling in a form of all my details, I was released.... less 1 laser pointer!

I have a couple of questions...

1. Since when has it been illegal to carry a laser pointer?
2. Why was it OK for the X-Ray guard to play with the laser pointer while waiting for the AFP to arrive?
3. Has my fantastic run of hassle free in and out of Australian customs come to an end?
4. I know this pointer was X-Rayed in MEL and KTA and I was not pulled up on it... (KTA was only hours earlier)
4. Who invented Western Australia? (and why?)

Mr!

edit: After sleeping on it, I am thinking a complaint to someone regarding the security guard playing with the laser while waiting for the AFP. Don't get me wrong here, the AFP have a job to do and they done it, but the ISS security guards also have a job to do, in PER, KTA or wherever else they reside. Having confiscated the laser from me, then playing with it, shining it on the roof etc constituted far more of a risk to aircraft in the immediate vicinity than I did. Not good form in anyone's books methinks...

I should contact no-news....

 

[oz_mark]

Laser pointers are controlled weapons in Western Australia. See Media Statements - Results.

 

[clifford]

Laser pointers are controlled weapons in Western Australia. See Media Statements - Results.

And no doubt the good people of WA are eagerly awaiting Stephen Conroy's (and Kevin Rudd's) Internet censorship legislation so than they can ban blasphemous websites like this one.

 

[markis10]

1. Since when has it been illegal to carry a laser pointer?
2. Why was it OK for the X-Ray guard to play with the laser pointer while waiting for the AFP to arrive?
3. Has my fantastic run of hassle free in and out of Australian customs come to an end?
4. I know this pointer was X-Rayed in MEL and KTA and I was not pulled up on it...
4. Who invented Western Australia?

Mr!

1. Its not illegal if you have a lawfull excuse, 2.security guards vary in qualities and it sounds like you may have come across a police recruit reject, and 4. (the second 4) Dirk Harthog invented Western Australia but his Dutch bosses thought it held no promise for anything worthwhile in the future :shock:

 

[anat0l]

1. Since when has it been illegal to carry a laser pointer?
2. Why was it OK for the X-Ray guard to play with the laser pointer while waiting for the AFP to arrive?
3. Has my fantastic run of hassle free in and out of Australian customs come to an end?
4. I know this pointer was X-Rayed in MEL and KTA and I was not pulled up on it...
4. Who invented Western Australia?

1. Laser pointers are a controversial thing. They can be argued as illegal and legal in almost any context and having a powerful one doesn't help things.

The problem in WA is how does one prove that you are only going to be using the laser for lawful things?

I bought a 4-in-1 laser pointer/stylus/pen/torch with me to MEL for a conference. No harm there. Maybe because it looked innocuous enough it passed through (plus although with full batteries my laser could go pretty far, it's pretty useless in the open field).
2. Some police are idiots. It's the same theory behind quarantine officers who confiscate your declared goods only to consume/keep them later or sell them on black markets.
3. Hopefully not, but joking to the security guy i.e. "Yeah, like I'll do that" probably didn't help. Dumb, but literally anything you say or do can be used against you these days, especially in an airport.
4. Inconsistency. Gotta love to hate it. You'll get away with bringing blah-blah at one port and then get pulled up at another. It's worse when you're dealing with international inconsistencies; much harder when you can't call the screening officer an idiot or an ignoramus (by moral or by law).
4. WA was founded in 1829 - it was the third state of Australia to be founded after NSW and VDL (now TAS)

Hope you pull through, mate.

 

[notmensa]

There is also a ban on importing lasers:
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/content10444.asp

The WA law seems more restrictive than in other states - all laser pointers are prohibited and even Class 1 & 2 are not allowed. Anyone know why?

 

[djfuzz]

4. WA was founded in 1829 - it was the third state of Australia to be founded after NSW and VDL (now TAS)

Third colony, you mean? Sixth state would be more appropriate, given its heel dragging towards Federation, and order of reference in the Constitution. :mrgreen:

 

[anat0l]

Third colony, you mean? Sixth state would be more appropriate, given its heel dragging towards Federation, and order of reference in the Constitution. :mrgreen:

Ah, correct - much appreciated!

 

[samh004]

Was this one of those “new” green lasers? They’re pretty powerful, and some of the more powerful ones I know are illegal, so perhaps the one you bought in China was over the power limit, or however they measure it.

I’d guess they didn’t have a leg to stand on, so were hoping you’d admit to something. Surely if they took a look at your status and how many flights you take, they’d realise you’d be the last person to bring down a plane then again, the police aren’t that smart at anything these days

 

[Keith009]

Hmm... I thought carrying them isn't illegal per se, just certain uses of laser pointers are illegal like endangering aircraft. Oh well learn something new everyday.

Sorry to hear about your troubles munitalP.

 

[oz_mark]

I would have thought they'd let you keep the laser pointer though..

 

[Leumas]

Regardless of when WA was formed, the entire island will eventually be known as West Island.

BTW, I don't understand if SA is South Australia, why isn't WA West Australia, or should SA be Southern Australia?

 

[munitalP]

Regardless of when WA was formed, the entire island will eventually be known as West Island.

BTW, I don't understand if SA is South Australia, why isn't WA West Australia, or should SA be Southern Australia?

It should be NW Australia as it is further north than the PRV... (peoples republic of Victoria)



Mr!

Please note addition to original post...

 

[Skoogle]

I should contact no-news....

Only if the event can be connected to Qantas - be it via flight number, terminal or that you were looking at their signage while being grilled.

Headline: Passenger probed for looking at Qantas sign.

 

[munitalP]

Only if the event can be connected to Qantas - be it via flight number, terminal or that you were looking at their signage while being grilled.

Headline: Passenger probed for looking at Qantas sign.

LOL
Mr!

 

[2muchplastic]

....Headline: Passenger probed for looking at Qantas sign.

So munitalp, are you still sitting down a little gingerly after the errr...probing? Or were they quite gentle?:mrgreen:

 

[munitalP]

hmmmmmm








LOL



Mr!

 

[Dalescott]

I also use one for work, but it is a 4 in 1 unit. Got questioned at Tulla, on return from China. Was asked "Is it a laser" Without answering picked it up and turned on the torch. Their reply None!!!, but could well imagine what they were thinking??

 

[hedge]

I wouldn't bother complaining, would just be seen as a clutch at straws.

 

[Mal]

There is a ban on importing laser pointers that are over a certain wattage. There are also restrictions on importing other laser pointers too.

Interesting that they are banned in W.A, I believe some states also have restrictions on the max wattage, but it's been a while since I've had to worry about what the various laws are.