46 USC § 70014 - Aiming laser pointer at vessel

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s70014"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 70014 - Aiming laser pointer at vessel"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "70014"
section_name: "Aiming laser pointer at vessel"
chapter_number: 700
chapter_name: "PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY"
subchapter_number: "II"
subchapter_name: "PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIII, § 8342(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4709.)"
---


# § 70014. Aiming laser pointer at vessel

**(a)** **Prohibition.—** It shall be unlawful to cause the beam of a laser pointer to strike a vessel operating on the navigable waters of the United States.

**(b)** **Exceptions.—** This section shall not apply to a member or element of the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security acting in an official capacity for the purpose of research, development, operations, testing, or training.

**(c)** **Laser Pointer Defined.—** In this section the term “laser pointer” means any device designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that emits a beam designed to be used by the operator as a pointer or highlighter to indicate, mark, or identify a specific position, place, item, or object.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIII, § 8342(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4709.)