It looks like we are back to the debate of banning lasers pointers, whether in airsoft or for general use due to hazard they pose to the human eye, especially with the case of green lasers. In the latest news about the misuse of green laser, a Virgin Atlantic flight from London Heathrow to New York JFK was forced to go back and land on Heathrow after being illuminated with a green laser about six to seven miles west of the airport according to The Register.

Whilst the pilot was checked by a paramedic, he/she was fortunate that the eyes did not require further hospital treatment. A damaged eye to a pilot is like the end of life, as it will immediately mean a loss of career. The worst thing that could have happened had the laser been powerful enough when it hit the pilot’s eye was to blind the pilot and perhaps the co-pilot, and putting in grave danger hundreds of passengers on the plane.

In 2014 alone, there were around 1,440 incidents of lasers being used on aircraft flying in and out of British airports according to the Civil Aviation Authority. That number is worryingly high and luckily no fatal accidents have not happened.

There have been many incidents of lasers, especially green lasers, being used to disorient people. The military have their own version of green lasers designed to stop people from driving their cars into checkpoints, as the Dazzlers, as they are called, were used in Iraq to good effect. In airsoft, there have been discussions on whether to ban green lasers, even the military ones.

But are all lasers bad? Dr. Airsoft has this to say about lasers:

The use of lasers in airsoft is surrounded by controversy and contradictory information. I have spoken on lasers on CQB Radio, Episode 12.

Most laser sights are under 5mW in power.  This can injure the eye with prolonged exposure, but the human eye has a protective reflex when exposed to such bright lights.  You naturally blink or look away before much damage can be done.  There are class 2/II lasers which are used in laser pointers and low-power gun sights which would not be expected to cause accidental injury.  I wish all laser sights used in airsoft were limited to class 2 (or class II).  Many real steel sights are class IIIa or class 3R which means up to 5 mW.  This is unnecessary in the distances involved in airsoft and there is minor risk of accidental injury.  It really takes purposely staring into the light to cause a significant effect on vision.  The effects of accidental exposure to under 5 mW of energy rarely if ever result in permanent injury.

I have yet to find data in the medical literature which supports the idea that green lasers are more harmful than red.  It would be safe to avoid class III/3R green lasers.  You should be fine with any color of class II/2 laser.  Use with caution class III/3R lasers and never look at them through a magnifying scope.  The scope can magnify the light and increase the damage done by a low-power laser.

I encourage airsoft retailers to prominently display "Class 2" or the power rating in milliwatts on appropriate laser sights that are low powered so that we can feel safe playing with them. I would feel completely comfortable playing against other players using "Class 2" lasers.

Dr. Airsoft Recommendation: Use and play only with Class 2 or Class II (<1mw) lasers.

However in airsoft, many airsoft players tend to purchase cheap PEQ replicas that come equipped with green lasers or laser sights that are made in China. Many of these can be purchased via eBay which is said to be the biggest source for such lasers. These cheap Chinese-made lasers may not be properly labeled with their true power nor do not come with IR filters to remove that block Infrared Light which is invisible to the human eye.

For now, laws on misuse or banning of lasers are on a country to country basis, so it is best to check local laws before using airsoft. For the airsoft player to avoid mishaps such with lasers, he/she should do the following:

• Only buy lasers that are truly within safe levels of power and also come with IR filters.
• Try to use protective eyewear with Laser Protective Lens (LPL)
• Avoid pointing the laser to the eyes of opposing airsoft players. Aim center mass.
• Never aim laser at aircraft or moving vehicles
• Do not lend your lasers to people you think are up to no good.