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BILL NO. 98-151 Su sltitute
P,assed'a&Amended
SPONSORED BY COUNCILMAN JAYNES
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSON, MISSOURI,AMENDING ARTICLE VII OF
CHAPTER 18(MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS AND OFFENSES)OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF JEFFERSON, MISSOURI BY ADDING A NEW SECTION 18-119 PERTAINING TO
REGULATION OF THE SALE, POSSESSION, AND USE OF LASER POINTERS.
- WHEREAS, the Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to parents and scrio+al
officials about the possibility of eye damage to children from hand-held laser pointers. These
products are generally safe when used as intended by teachers and lecturers to highlight
areas on a chart or screen. However, recent price reductions have led to wider marketing,
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and the City Council is concerned about the prornotion and use of these products as children's
toys.
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WHEREAS, the light energy that laser pointers can aim into the eye can be more damaging
than staring directly into the sun. "
.: WHEREAS; momentary exposure from a laser pointer, such as might occur from an
inadvertent sweep of the light across a person's eyes,causes only temporary flash blindness.
However, even this can be dangerous if the exposed pereon is engaged in a vision-critical
activity such as driving.
5_„! WHEREAS, the City's concem is prompted by a recant news report of a Kansas City youth
who sustained permanent eye damage caused by exposure from a laser pointer.
WHEREAS,the City has a strong desire to enact an ordinance that will restrict access to laser
pointers by children and to promote the safety and well-teeing of children within the Jefferson
-: City.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSON, MISSOURI, AS
FOLLOWS:
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Section 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. The Council finds that special
} j circumstances exist within the City that call for the sliecial .regulation of the sale to and,.
possession of laser pointers by minors in order to protect them and others from serious eye
taw injury from exposure from laser pointers.
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Section 2 .CHAPTER 18 (Miscellaneous Provisions and Offenses) of the Code of the
City of Jefferson, Missouri is hereby amended by adding a new section 18-119,pertaining to
3 cu+yFi�.r ;roanNeru.9i.ii.rb. Bill 98-151 Substitute., Page 1
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regulation of the sale, possession, and use of laser pointers, which shall read as fellows:
Sea. 18-119. Sale, possession, and use of laser pointers. "
A. Application. This section applies only to handheld pointers and
excludes any and all other laser devices that may be used In either
professions or occupations.
pointer to any laser a
S. Sale. It is unlawful for any person to sell P
person under the age of 18 years.
C. Possession. It Is unlawful for any person under the age of 18 years
to possess a laser pointer.
D. Use,. It is unlawful for any person to focus, point or shine a laser
beam directly or indirectly on another person or animal in such 2+
manner as to harass, annoy, or injure said person, ar animal.
E. Exceptions. The prohibition of subsection C of this section shall
not apply to the use of laser pointers with the permission, and A
1 supervision of a person 21 years of age or older.
F. Penalty. Any person violating any provision of this section, upon
conviction shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars
($100.00) nor more than five-hundred dollars ($500.00), or small be '
imprisoned for three (3) months, or shall be both fines! and
! sentenced.
Section 3. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect frorn and after the date of
its passage and approval.
Passed: �� `r 9 Approved: . ', 9 �i
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Presiding Officer mayor
A17EST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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City: rk City Counselor #
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Bill 9'8-151 Substitute,Page 2
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