CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY – HB 1154-FN, relative to the use of a laser pointing device for self-defense or defense of others.
MAJORITY: INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE. MINORITY: OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Dennis H Fields for the Majority of Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
This bill provides that the use of a laser pointing device in self-defense or defense of others is not a violation of RSA 631:3-a. Under current law it is a violation for knowingly shining the beam of a laser pointing device at an occupied motor vehicle, window, or person and a class A misdemeanor if directed at a law enforcement officer or law enforcement vehicle. The committee heard no testimony to indicate problems with the current law or that people are being charged with pointing a laser device in self-defense. The majority believes that this bill would create confusion about what would constitute self-defense and therefore recommends ITL. Vote 13-3.Rep. Kyle J Tasker for the Minority of Criminal Justice and Public Safety. The Minority of the Committee feels the effects of this bill were misunderstood by the Majority. This will state in law the exception to the violation level offense that pointing a laser device represents, when this takes place during self-defense or defense of others.
H/T Rep. Kyle Tasker
