Burning lasers were, until recently, reserved to large and bulky laser light devices. Today, modern technology has turned these high power lasers from cumbersome to convenient burning laser pointers that can fit in the palm of your hand. If you know anything about powerful laser pointers, you may know that they are strong enough to burn industrial strength electric tape, start fires, and even light cigarettes. This leads us to one question, are these dangerous burning lasers really legal?
This is a question that many laser enthusiasts and professionals alike have had to ponder over the past few years. We are constantly being bombarded with mixed messages from the media or the internet, hearing stories of dangerous laser pointer usage as well as professional research being done with the high tech tools. But the question still remains fresh in many laser hobbyists mind, and the answer is simple, YES. Assuming you are not using your high power laser in any illicit manor (aim towards people, motor vehicles, airplanes, etc.), there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Laser pointers are available for a plethora of applications from simple presentations to military usage for insurgent intimidation, so as you can imagine their versatility covers a wide range of uses.
But where does too much power become a problem? Who is to say a laser should not be allowed to produce a powerful solid state beam? Many contestants of laser pointer laws claim they are not strict enough on importers of the high power goods, all while laser supporters push to allow higher output powers for wider availability. Its come to a relative stalemate as far as the laws are concerned, and this has upset many people against the hi-tech gadgets. With so many videos on youtube of burning laser pointers lighting matches and popping balloons, its not hard to see the clear safety hazards that burning lasers present to all who are in their presence.
At one point there was enough public recognition of the burning laser pointer problem that the FDA now regulates which lasers are legal and illegal to use in the United States. They have established certain laser safety regulations that all hand held and industrial lasers must meet in order to be imported legally into the USA. So what has this done? Well, you can still very easily get your very own high power burning laser right from the internet if you know a reputable laser distributor, but now more than likely your laser device will have a safety key, a 2 second laser beam ignition delay, an indicator LED, and several other safety features. Now, not every hand held laser out there has these safety features, but that is because only certain classifications of laser pointers require these specific safety measures. Other models, such as your simple 5mw green laser pointer or even your higher power laser pointer, will not combine these safety devices into the lasers production.
It seems that the media as well as the vast collection of dangerous burning lasers flooding the internet these days has received enough public recognition to have laws and regulations created by the FDA affecting simply the laser pointer world. Whatever your motive for buying burning laser pointers, be sure that you keep your own safety and the welfare of others in mind. Higher power lasers are capable of burning electric tape, so be sure to take proper measures so as to avoid laser eye damage or skin burns.
Something to keep in mind whenever considering obtaining a burning laser is the device will be bright! Do not expect to be staring towards the beam of a high power laser any time soon. Be careful where you point the power of a burning laser, you can very quickly feel the laser light burn your skin, so be careful around others. If you are using such a powerful laser to simply do a few burning tricks or make some videos, for the sake of all laser hobbyists, do not do anything too dangerous. Burning lasers could use a little distance from any further negative attention, so enjoy with care.
James has several years experience with both hand held and industrial designed burning lasers. He has spoken and written extensively on the dangers and safety behind high power laser use. His preferred provider of thinklasers.com/burning-lasers.html burning lasers is thinklasers.com/burning-lasers.html thinklasers.com
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