Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is asking federal regulators to crackdown on the sale of electronic laser pointers.
In a letter to the Food and Drug Administration, Schumer said the powerful light beams are a dangerous problem for pilots.
After two recent incidents involving lasers being pointed at aircraft on Long Island, Schumer is asking the FDA to establish greater controls over the sale of lasers that are powerful enough to reach aircraft cockpits.
"Shining a laser at an aircraft is dangerous and could lead to a horrible tragedy," said Schumer. "While these incidents seem to be rising, regulations dealing with the power and sale of these products have not kept up. The FDA needs to revamp its regulations."
Schumer is focusing on the most powerful laser pointers that can be purchased online.
The senator wants to require most electronic laser pointers to be sold at a lower strength and limit the sale of the most powerful lasers pointers.
Two weeks ago, a laser was pointed into the cockpit of a JetBlue flight traveling from Syracuse to Kennedy Airport over Islip, causing minor eye damage to the pilot.
In a separate incident a few days later, a laser was pointed at a Suffolk County Police helicopter, flying near Brentwood.
According to Federal Aviation Administration statistics, 1,749 laser incidents have been reported this year. Over the last 6 years, the number of incidents of lasers being shined into a cockpit of an aircraft has gone from 283 in 2005 to 3,591 in 2011.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:05 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:05:14 GMT
Experts say that teens aren't just leaving Facebook for just Twitter; they're leaving Facebook for numerous other social media sites as well because for them Facebook just isn't as cool anymore. The study
Experts say that teens aren't just leaving Facebook for just Twitter; they're leaving Facebook for numerous other social media sites as well because for them Facebook just isn't as cool anymore. The study
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:53:47 GMT
(AP Photo Sue Ogrocki)
Rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes.
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives, including those of nine children.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:50 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:50:15 GMT
A massive tornado devastated parts of Oklahoma on Monday. It destroyed entire neighborhoods, killing dozens of people. If you would like to help those in need, you can donate to relief organizations.
A massive tornado devastated parts of Oklahoma on Monday. It destroyed entire neighborhoods, killing dozens of people. If you would like to help those in need, you can donate to relief organizations.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:19:47 GMT
The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a new case on the intersection of religion and government in a dispute over prayers used to open public meetings.
The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a new case on the intersection of religion and government in a dispute over prayers used to open public meetings.
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:53 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:53:31 GMT
Some lucky person walked into a Publix supermarket in suburban Florida over the past few days and bought a ticket now worth an estimated $590.5 million — the highest Powerball jackpot in history.
Some lucky person walked into a Publix supermarket in suburban Florida over the past few days and bought a ticket now worth an estimated $590.5 million — the highest Powerball jackpot in history.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:00:01 GMT
Witnesses in southwestern Virginia said a car drove into a crowd at a parade Saturday and hurt several people, but the nature of their injuries wasn't immediately known.
Witnesses in southwestern Virginia said a car drove into a crowd at a parade Saturday and hurt several people, but the nature of their injuries wasn't immediately known.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:32:24 GMT
As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:14 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:14:07 GMT
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:40 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:40:30 GMT
A proposal to build a major Long Island casino with video slot machines is part of closed-door negotiations to expand casino gambling in New York.
A proposal to build a major Long Island casino with video slot machines is part of closed-door negotiations to expand casino gambling in New York, according to the head of the Nassau County Off-Track Betting Corp. and a legislative bill.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to freeze Long Islanders' energy rates for three years as part of a proposal to end operating control of the Long Island Power Authority.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to freeze Long Islanders' energy rates for three years as part of a proposal to end operating control of the Long Island Power Authority.
