Legislation which would ban laser pointers in public has unanimously passed its first reading in Parliament.
The member's bill, sponsored by National Party MP Cam Calder, would make it a crime for people to carry hand-held lasers in public without a reasonable excuse.
It would also allow police to confiscate the devices.
Dr Calder told Parliament that in the hand of miscreants, the lasers could be used against moving vehicles or aircraft and put many lives in danger.
He said the Airline Pilots' Association was very much in favour of the bill.
