California Penal Code § 417.25 — Aiming or Pointing a Laser Scope or Pointer

 California Penal Code § 417.25 — Aiming or Pointing a Laser Scope or Pointer

California Penal Code § 417.25 makes it a crime to aim or point a laser scope or laser pointer at another person in a threatening manner with the intent to cause fear of bodily harm, except in self-defense California.Public.Law+1.

Key Provisions

• Offense: Aiming or pointing a laser scope (a portable battery-powered device attachable to a firearm that projects a laser light at a distance) or a laser pointer (any handheld laser beam device or demonstration product emitting a visible single point of light) at another person in a threatening manner California.Public.Law+1.

• Intent: The act must be done with the specific intent to cause a reasonable person fear of bodily harm California.Public.Law.

• Self-defense exception: The law explicitly allows the act if done in self-defense California.Public.Law+1.

• Penalty: A misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in county jail. A judge may also impose misdemeanor probation or other terms instead of jail Shouse Law Group.

Examples

• Pointing a laser scope at someone’s chest while threatening them.

• Using a laser pointer to intimidate or threaten another person Shouse Law Group.

Defenses

If charged under PC 417.25, possible defenses include:

• Acting in self-defense.

• Proving you did not use a laser scope or pointer.

• Showing a coerced confession Shouse Law Group.

Enforcement

This law applies regardless of whether the laser device is attached to a firearm. The focus is on the threatening intent and the fear of bodily harm caused California.Public.Law.

In short: In California, intentionally pointing a laser scope or pointer at another person to threaten them is a misdemeanor under Penal Code § 417.25, with a maximum jail term of 30 days, unless it qualifies as self-defense.