New laser regulations
Transcription
New laser regulations
+ The Hon MichaelAtkinsonMP 09AGOtt23 Government of SouthAustralia Attorney-General // July,zoos Ministerfor Justice Ministerfor MulticulturalAffairs The Astronomical Sosietyof SouthAustralia Cl- Mr Robert Jenkins 3 Theta Street SALISBURY S.A. 5108 Ministerfor Veterans',Affairs 1lth Floor 45 PirieStreet Adelaide SA5000 GPOBox464 Adelaide SA5001 DX336 Tel 08 8207 1723 Fax08 82071736 gd.sa. gov.au eral@a attorney-gen Laser Pointers that laserpointerswith an outputgreaterthan 1 milliwatt Qn23 February,2009 I announced would be banned.Regulationshave now been draftedto classifyhigh-poweredhand-held laserpointerswith an emissionlevel greaterthan 1 milliwatt asprohibitedweapons. The attached draft Summary Offences (DangerousArticles and Prohibited Weapons) Variation Regulations2009 seekto vary the SummaryOffences(DangerousArticles and Regulations2000sothat: ProhibitedWeapons) a laserpointeris declaredto be prohibitedweaponfor thepurposesof theSummary Act 1953. Offences a laserpointeris definedasa hand-helddevicedesignedor adaptedto ernita laser emissionlevel greaterthan 1 milliwatt. beamwith an accessible . laserpointersfor a legitimatepurposearedeclared(in who possess astronomers accordance with sl5(2b)ft) of the Act) to be exernptpersonsfor the purposes.of sl5(1e)of theAct. I have also taken the opportunityto amendthe definition of a sharkdart in ScheduleI to ensurethatWASP Knives.arecapfuredby the regulations. Although it is likely that one of the exernptionsset out in the SummaryOffencesAct 1953 would cover astronomers(see attachedsummary of prohibited weapons offences and in theSummary exemptions),I havedecidedto includea specificexemptionfor astfonomers that thereis no 2000 so Regulations Weapons) Offeices(DangerousArticles and Prohibited confusion. andcomment.ln particular, A copyof the draft regulationsis providedfor your consideration as set out in clause6(2) of the I wouiOlike commentson the exemptionsfor astronomers, inutes\LtrASSAJenkinsLaserPointersDftRegs.doc G:\AGPL\Correspondence\kntil\2009\m - 2- SummaryQffinces (DangerousArticles and Prohibited Weapons)Variation Regulations 2009. I would be gratefulif you couldprovideyour commentswithin onemonthof the dateof this letter.Any [uestionsibout the diaft regulationscanbe madedirectly to Ms Kellie Tilbrook, to [email protected] LegalOfficer,on 82071851or by e-mailaddressed Yours sincerelv Michael Atkinson Attorney-General Encl: AttachmentA - - Summaryof prohibitedweaponsoffencesandexemptions Regulations2000 ArticlesandProhibitedWeapons) Attachment2 - SummaryOffences(Dangerous ArticlesandProhibitedWeapons) Attachment3 - Draft of theSumnaryOffences(Dangerous VariationRegulations2009 -3- ATTACHMENT A Summary of prohibited weaponsoffencesand exemptions (o'theAct") it is an offenceto Under sectionl5(1c) of the SummaryOffencesAct 195.3 possess in, or use,aprohibitedweapon manufacture,sell, distribute,supplyor otherwisedeal of unlessthepersonchargedcanprovethat he or sheis an exemptpersonin the circumstances the allegedoffence. in which a personis exernptfor possessionand use of a The Act setsout circumstances prohibitedweapon(section15(2a). Theseincludepersonswho reasonablyrequirepossession for work purposes(this could include,for example,an engineer,lecturerof astronomer)and personswho possessor usea prohibitedweaponfor the purposesof participatingin a lawful to andrecognisedform of recreationor sport(it is likely that astronomywould be considered form of recreation). a be a lawful andrecognised In addition,the Act authorisesexernptionsto be madein two otherways. Section15(2b)of the Act providesthat apersonis exemptif theyhavebeendeclaredto be an exemptperson,or a mernberof an exemptclass,by the Ministeror his delegate;or theyhavebeendeclaredto be will be an exemptpersonor an exemptclassin the Regulations( for example,astronomers declaredto be an exemptclassof persons)' Peoplewho are exernptedunder the Act or the Regulationsdo not have to apply for an exemption.However,a persottwill be protectedfrom criminal liability only if the prohibited with its weapottis usedfor the purposefor which the exemptionis given and in accordance conditions.For example,peoplewho are allowedto have a prohibitedweaponbecausethey reasonablyrequireit for work, recreationor sportwill not be exernptfrom criminalliability if suchastakingit with themwhenthey go out to theyhaveit with themin othercircumstances, a nightclubor hotel or to a party. Thosewho feel that they have a valid reasonto possessa prohibitedweapon,but are not coveredby one of the exemptionsin the Act or the Regulations,may applyto the Ministeror (2d) and(2g) of the Act' his delegatefor an exernptionundersubsections For the pu{posesof issuingexemptions,this powerhasbeendelegatedto the Commissioner of Policl, the Deputy Commissionerof Police, the Deputy Registrarof Firearmsand any person to whom the Commissionerhas delegatedhis powersunder the FirearmsAct 1977. ^Currently, applicationsmust be madeat a PoliceStationand a fee paid. A declarationthat a person,or classof persons,is exempt,maybe conditionalor unconditional. Draft 3 1 . 3 . 2 0 A(1 9) South Austraha SummaryOffences@angerousArticles and Prohibited Weapons) Variation Regulations 2009 underthe SummaryOffincesAct 1953 Contents Part l-Preliminary I 2 3 Short title Commencement Variation provisions Pafi 2-Variation of SummaryOffences (DangerousArti cles and'Pr ohibit ed Weapons)Regulations2000 4 5 Variation of ScheduleI clause8-Gas injector devices Variation of Schedule2-Prohibited weapons 6 Variation of Schedule3-Exemptions LaserPointer l0A Part l-Preliminary l-Short title Articlesand (Dangerous Offences maybecitedastheSummary Theseregulations 2009. Regplations Variation ProhibitedWeapons) 2-Commencement Theseregulationswill come into operation 3 months after the date on which they are made. 3-Variation provisions ln theseregulations,a provisionundera headingreferringto thevariationof specified regulationsvariestheregulationsso specified. Part 2-Yariation of Summary Offences@angerousArticles and Prohibited Weapons)Regulations2000 4-Yariation of schedule1 clause8-Gas injector devices Schedule 1, clause 8-delete "includinB a Farallon Shark Dart" and insert: for example, a Farallon Shark Dart or a WASP Injector Knife 2:41PM cP 118AGA4G31.3.2009 Preparedby ParliamentaryCounsel Draft 2009 Summary Offences(DangerousArticles and Prohibited Weapons) Variation Regulations part 2-Variat ion of Sumiary Ofences (DangerousArticles and Prohibited Weapons)Regulations2000 S-Variation of Schedule2-Prohibited weapons 2-afterclause10insert: Schedule lOA-Laser pointer A hand-held device designedor adaptedto emit a laser beam with an accessibleemission level of greaterthan 1 milliwatt' G-Variation (1) of Schedule 3-Exemptions as Schedule3, clause4-after its presentcontents(now to be designated (1)) insert: subclause (2) In this clause-undeteetableknife meansa knife declaredto be a prohibitedweapon bYclauselTofSchedule2' , I (2) Schedule 3-after clause16insert: \ l7-Laser pointers for astronomicaluse of or uses,a laserpointerfor the (1) A personwhohaspossession purposeor in the courseof participatingin asffonomyis exemptfrom the offencesofpossessionanduseofa laserpointerunder section1s(lcXb)of theAct if theperson(a) (b) (2) is a memberof an astronomicalsocietyor organisation of Police;or approvedby the Commissioner participatesin astronomyat an observatoryor underthe supervisionof a memberof an astronomicalsocietyor of Police' approvedby the Commissioner organisation In this clauseIaserpointel meansa devicedeclaredto be a prohibitedweaponby clause10AofSchedule2' ( NoteAs requiredby section l0AA(2) of theSubordinateLegislationAct 1978,the Minister hascertified that, in the Minister's opinion, it is necessaryor appropriatethat theseregulationscomeinto operationas set out in theseregulations' Made by the Governor Council of theExecutive with theadviceandconsent on No of 2009 AGO0073/08CS 2:41PM GP 118 AG/MG 31.3.2009 Preparedby ParliamentaryCounsel