Laser pointers are hand held, battery operated devices designed or adapted to emit a laser beam that may be used for the purposes of aiming, targeting or pointing. In recent times, some members of the public have acted irresponsibly by directing the laser beam into the cabins of motor vehicles and the cockpits of aircraft. This reckless practice can blind drivers and pilots and has the potential to cause significant loss of life.

To put a stop to such behaviour, the Government has made it an offence for anyone to have a laser pointer in their custody in a public place or to use a laser pointer in a public place without a reasonable excuse. If a police officer has reasonable grounds for suspecting that you are in possession of a laser pointer in a public place, they may search you, confiscate the laser and commence legal action.

On 1 October 2008, the Firearms Amendment Act 2008 will commence. It will make a number of changes to the Firearms Act 1996 and the Firearms Regulation 2006, a summary of which has been detailed below:

• Firearms Licence Renewals
  
  Licence renewals will no longer be subject to the mandatory 28 day waiting period:
  
  • where there are no changes to the licence;
  • where the licensee wishes to add a Category A or B to an existing A or B licence.
  
  For example:
  
  If a licensee holds a Category A licence and wishes to add Category B during renewal, they may do so without having to wait the mandatory 28 day waiting period.
  
  If a Category H licence is held and the licensee wishes to add Category A, the mandatory 28 day waiting period will apply.
  
  This applies to licence renewals only.