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Sen. Charles Schumer Wants Crackdown Of Electronic Laser Pointers

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) - After pilots were targeted by electronic laser pointers from the ground, a senator is targeting the devices.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is writing federal regulators, asking them to crack down on the use of the pointers outside of their intended use in office presentations.

Schumer said that the power light beams have shown to be a problem for pilots when the lasers were pointed at them 5,000 feet away.

The Democrat is focusing on the most powerful laser pointers that are being sold online. He wants to require most pointers to be sold at a lower strength and restrict the sale of the most powerful lasers.

Schumer also wants the Food and Drug Administration to require warning labels, making it clear that directing lasers at an aircraft is a federal offense.

Do you agree with the senator that a crackdown is necessary? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below...

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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