---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 39A"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "39A"
heading: "Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/39A"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 2 — Aircraft and Motor Vehicles"
---

# §39A. Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft

- (a) **Offense.—** [Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) knowingly aims the beam of a laser pointer at an [aircraft](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-1) in the [special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States](/usc/18/31.md?p=b), or at the flight path of such an [aircraft](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-1), shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
- (b) **Laser Pointer Defined.—** As used in this section, the term “laser pointer” means any device designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that emits a beam designed to be used by the operator as a pointer or highlighter to indicate, mark, or identify a specific position, place, item, or object.
- (c) **Exceptions.—** This section does not prohibit aiming a beam of a laser pointer at an [aircraft](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-1), or the flight path of such an [aircraft](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-1), by—
  - (1) an authorized individual in the conduct of research and development or flight test operations conducted by an [aircraft](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-1) [manufacturer](/usc/18/841.md?p=h), the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct such research and development or flight test operations;
  - (2) [members](/usc/18/1093.md?p=4) or elements of the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security acting in an official capacity for the purpose of research, development, operations, testing, or training; or
  - (3) by an individual using a laser emergency signaling device to send an emergency distress signal.
- (d) **Authority To Establish Additional Exceptions by Regulation.—** The [Attorney General](/usc/18/841.md?p=k), in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, may provide by regulation, after public notice and comment, such additional exceptions to this section as may be necessary and appropriate. The [Attorney General](/usc/18/841.md?p=k) shall provide written notification of any proposed regulations under this section to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Committee on [Commerce](/usc/18/232.md?p=2), Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, not less than 90 days before such regulations become final.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 112–95, title III, § 311(a), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 65.)