Pointing a laser at an aircraft cockpit will become illegal in Minnesota on Aug. 1.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the measure into law Tuesday.
When the law takes effect, it will be a gross misdemeanor to "knowingly aims and discharges a laser or other device that creates visible light into the cockpit of an aircraft that is in the process of taking off or landing or is in flight."
The new law comes nearly a year after a raft of laser-shining cases occurred nationwide.
People were arrested and charged in cases in Ohio, Dallas, Florida, California and Boston in which the lasers have been shined into the cockpit windows of aircraft in flight.
The green laser pointers, sold online for less than $50, are many times brighter than red lasers and are used for presentations and to point at stars. When aimed at aircraft, they are bright enough to temporarily blind pilots.
In July, an Eagan man was arrested on suspicion of aiming a green laser at a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter, temporarily blinding the pilot.
BOB VON STERNBERG
