North Myrtle Beach city council discussed a possible laser pointer ordinance Monday night.
The laser pointers, which were popular several years ago, made a comeback along the Grand Strand this tourist season. These lasers are green and can shoot almost four miles, something that has caused problems for the FAA and hotels.
"We've had many complaints this past summer about people, mostly people under 18, shining the green laser into the condominiums, into hotel rooms. {They've also shined them} at people on the beach, at animals, and even at turtles. When they were hatching, they would shine them on the small turtles and lead them away from the ocean," North Myrtle Beach Spokesman Pat Dowling said.
North Myrtle Beach city council is drafting an ordinance to ban sales of green lasers to minors. They could buy them if an adult was present. Violators could get fined up to 500 dollars and 30 days in jail.
Council plans to hold a workshop ordinance first, then vote on it.
Myrtle Beach is also working on a similar law. Here's a past story about the city of Myrtle Beach's laser ordinance.