---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 70014"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "70014"
heading: "Aiming laser pointer at vessel"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/70014"
units:
  - "Subtitle VII — Security and Drug Enforcement"
  - "Chapter 700 — Ports and Waterways Safety"
  - "Subchapter II — Ports and Waterways Safety"
---

# §70014. Aiming laser pointer at vessel

- (a) **Prohibition.—** It shall be unlawful to cause the beam of a laser pointer to strike a vessel operating on the [navigable waters of the United States](/usc/46/2101.md?p=25).
- (b) **Exceptions.—** This section shall not apply to a member or element 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.
- (c) **Laser Pointer Defined.—** 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.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXIII, § 8342(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4709.)