FSM outlaws shining laser pointer at aircraft, with exceptions

 FSMIS (October 15, 2013): The Federated States of Micronesia 18^th Congress passed an act on September 27, 2013, proposing to ban not only the pointing of laser beam to an aircraft but also the possession of laser objects at the airport premises.

President Manny Mori signed the Act into law on October 14, further amending Title 11 of the FSM Code, as amended.

The President’s message when signing the legislation says, “Subject to certain exceptions, the Act prohibits possession of laser pointers on airport premises. Moreover, the Department of Justice is authorized to provide by regulation additional exception from the prohibition defined in the act”.

Depending on the sections of the law, violations are punishable by specific measures that range from imprisonment for a term of not more than five years or a fine of not more than $10,000 to imprisonment for a term of not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $600. Punishment can also combine both an imprisonment term and an assessed fine.

Some of the named exceptions in the law include use of laser pointers by FAA officials or individuals conducting legitimate experiments at the airport premises or in directing aircrafts.

The legislation can be found among the public laws posted on the FSM Congress website. http://fsmcongress.fm/18th%20Congress/18th%20CFSM%20Public%20Laws.html.

For further information, write fsmpio@mail.fm