---
title: O.C.G.A. § 16-11-45. Use of laser against aircraft.
collection: code
id: 16-11-45
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 16-11-45 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-11-45
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-11-45.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-11-45/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t16-ch7-11-(v14a)-2018-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=aecbfe9c_0#page=804
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CRIMES AND OFFENSES / OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY / OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER
---

# O.C.G.A. § 16-11-45. Use of laser against aircraft.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) ‘‘Laser’’ means any device that projects a beam or point of light by means of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation or a device that emits light which simulates the appearance of a laser.

(2) ‘‘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.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this Code section, whoever knowingly and intentionally aims the beam of a laser pointer, or projects a laser, at an aircraft or at the flight path of an aircraft shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(c) Laser or laser pointer airspace uses that have been reviewed and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration are exempt from the provisions of this Code section.

## History

Code 1981, § 16-11-45, enacted by Ga. L. 2012, p. 1142, § 2/SB 441.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 2012, p. 1142, § 3/SB 441, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that this Code section applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2012.