{"id":10371,"date":"2023-06-20T06:04:30","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T06:04:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/?page_id=10371"},"modified":"2023-08-18T06:08:19","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T06:08:19","slug":"laser-pens","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/legal\/police\/faq\/weapons\/laser-pens\/","title":{"rendered":"Laser Laws UK | Laser Pointers and Laser Pens Regulations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is it Illegal to have a Laser Pointer or Pen?<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Lasers are commonplace at home and in the workplace. They fulfill an important role in medicine and in industry.<\/p>\n

Many modern appliances contain a laser (e.g. computers, DVD players, laser printers. Even so, the consumer would not usually have access to the LED in its normal use).<\/p>\n

It is not uncommon to find laser pointers or pens in the home. But, some of them are more powerful than the accepted level for unrestricted use.<\/p>\n

The light beam can be ‘seen’ in some of the most modern domestic products. Examples include handheld medical devices and even some children’s toys.<\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: The power of certain types of laser pen pointers have the potential to cause eye damage and other injuries.<\/p>\n

So, here’s the deal:<\/p>\n

In fact, it is not an offence to own a laser pen in the United Kingdom. Lecturers often use laser pens and pointers when making a presentation.<\/p>\n

Even though you can buy them in the shops, most of them will have a weak beam. Thus, exposure to the ray of light through misuse of such products is unlikely to result in an eye injury.<\/p>\n

UK lasers laws have no direct regulation on laser pointers. But, laser pens more powerful than Class 2 can cause injury. Health Protection Agency restricts the sale of laser classifications above this level (>1 mW).<\/p>\n

So, owning a laser pen is not illegal in the UK (in itself). But, there are some situations where having a laser could be committing an offence, such as if:<\/p>\n