Q: What is the law regarding laser riflescopes where they project a red dot on the target? Is it classified as a hunt for light? A: A laser is a light (the word is originally an acronym, where the “l” stands for light), and so a laser scope uses a light for hunting. However, it is not illegal to use a light for hunting; It is only illegal to use a light to hunt at night (unless it is legal to hunt raccoons). As of June 12, 2012, new regulations were published for the importation and sale of laser pointers (powered by portable batteries) with a power of more than 5 mW (milliwatts). The regulations were created and are governed by Health Canada (a division of the Government of Canada), see the Canadian Consumer Protection Act for more details. Until 2012, all laser pointer pens were legal in Canada. At that time, problems with portable laser pointers were becoming more and more common. The biggest problem that prompted Health Canada to regulate laser pointers was pilots and planes stuck by laser beams. This particular problem has already been accompanied by costly fines and even jail time, but this has not been enough to contain the incidents. Attention: if you are trying to buy a laser pointer over 5mW, it means that it comes from outside North America and when it goes through customs, it will be checked and stored or returned to the sender.

In the worst case, the store where you bought will not accept a refund. Canadians are not alone. The U.S. also banned laser pointers over 5 mW, and they did so years before Canada. The UK, Australia and much of Europe only allow up to 1 mW. Originally published in January-February. 2018 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS magazine. Asking a CO is also a regular feature of the print edition. –David Critchlow (Provincial Law Enforcement Specialist, MNRF).