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Suffolk County, NY
 
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Table of Contents
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New Laws (2) Index
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Suffolk County Legislature 3-16-1999 by L.L. No. 12-1999 (Ch. 343 of the 1985 Code). Amendments noted where applicable. Uncodified sections of local laws amending these provisions are included at the end of this chapter.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Graffiti — See Ch. 502.
ATTACHMENTS
555a Uncod LL Pro
A. 
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the use of laser pointers by individuals under 18 years of age is increasing and constitutes a public nuisance and a threat to public safety.
B. 
This Legislature further finds and determines that these laser pointers, battery-powered and shaped like a pen, have been used to blind other students in schools, to distract officials during sporting events at stadiums, and to deter police officers in the pursuit of crime.
C. 
Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to prohibit the sale of laser pointers to minors under 18 years of age, as well as the possession of same by such minors, within the County of Suffolk on a year-round basis, and to ban the pointing of such lasers into another person's eyes, in order to protect juveniles from each other and to protect the public from danger and from personal injuries, all pursuant to the authority of this Legislature to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of this County.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
PERSON
Individuals; natural persons; partnerships; joint ventures; societies; associations; clubs; corporations; unincorporated groups of any members; officer, directors or stockholders or any kind of personal representative thereof, in any capacity, acting for himself or for any other person, under either personal appointment or pursuant to law.
A. 
No individual under 18 years of age shall purchase laser pointers within the County of Suffolk at any time of year.
B. 
No person within the County of Suffolk shall sell or offer to sell laser pointers to an individual under 18 years of age within the County of Suffolk at any time of year.
C. 
No individual under 18 years of age shall possess a laser pointer within the County of Suffolk at any time of year.
D. 
No person shall intentionally direct a laser pointer at or into the eyes of another individual within the County of Suffolk.
All persons within the County of Suffolk who sell or offer for sale laser pointers shall post a conspicuous sign, containing all capital lettering not less than one inch in height on a contrasting background, summarizing the prohibitions contained in § 555-3 of this chapter and further stating "UNDER PENALTY OF CRIMINAL PROSECUTION."
Any person who willfully violates § 555-3 of this chapter shall, for the first offense, be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine of not more than $250. A second or subsequent offense shall be a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or three months' imprisonment, or both.
This chapter shall apply only to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this chapter.