Looking for opinion here. Just read in the paper two people have been charged for shining a laser pointer at undercover cops. The cops were in a boat at night patrolling the river (the 'shiners' were on shore, so the distance was considerable). Apparently, the cops went to the hospital with "minor injuries", which of course I don't buy. These two now have a criminal record.

Now, I understand that lasers *can* cause eye damage, but these were consumer grade and the perps were at a distance. Could they not have just been told to smarten up? Instead of being charged with assault with a weapon? What bothers me most is that I feel charges never would have been laid had the 'victims' been civilians.

Am I overreacting? This story makes me mad. I used to play with a laser pointer when I was younger; should I turn myself in?