Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-110

§39A Aiming a Laser Pointer at an Aircraft

Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 2 — AIRCRAFT AND MOTOR VEHICLES › § 39A

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Knowingly pointing a laser at an aircraft under U.S. special aircraft jurisdiction, or at its flight path, is a crime. Penalty: a fine, up to 5 years in prison, or both. Laser pointer: any device that makes a laser beam used to point or mark. Exceptions: authorized FAA or aircraft‑maker tests; DoD or DHS personnel acting officially; and using a laser emergency distress signal. The Attorney General, with the Transportation Secretary, may add more exceptions by rule after public comment but must notify certain congressional committees at least 90 days before rules are final.

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §39A

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Offense.—

Whoever knowingly aims the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, or at the flight path of such an aircraft, 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, or the flight path of such an aircraft, by—

(1)an authorized individual in the conduct of research and development or flight test operations conducted by an aircraft manufacturer, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other person authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct such research and development or flight test operations;

(2)members 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, 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 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, 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.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 39A

Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110