DEVICES
House Bill 4497
Sponsor: Rep. Terry Geiger
Committee: Criminal Law and Corrections
Complete to 11-13-00
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4497 AS INTRODUCED 4-20-99
The bill would amend the Penal Code to prohibit people from using devices that emit a visible laser light beam in a manner that appears to be "targeting" a law enforcement officer. The bill would apply to both laser sighting devices -- those that are integrated with or attached to a firearm and emit a visible laser light beam to assist with aiming the firearm, and laser lighting devices -- items like laser pointers or pen lights that emit a visible laser light beam for the primary purpose of indicating direction or location, or identifying a specific object.
Under the bill, it would be a felony to intentionally point a visible laser light beam at a law enforcement officer where a reasonable person would have believed that the beam was being used to assist the aim of a firearm. The prohibition would apply if the device is used on an on-duty uniformed local, state, or federal law enforcement officer or on an on-duty non-uniformed local, state, or federal law enforcement officer where the person pointing the device knew or should have known that the person is a law enforcement officer. Violations would be punishable by imprisonment for up to four years and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
MCL 750.411r
Analyst: W. Flory