Has anyone been warned by police not to use HID lights?
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TOOCOOL
Enlightened
I work as a guard and the local cops all know me because of my HID light.
They have never suggested that there is anything unlawful about it, and I'm surprised that you think might be.
They have never suggested that there is anything unlawful about it, and I'm surprised that you think might be.
mtbkndad
Flashlight Enthusiast
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This is actually a pretty good question, but I have never had any problems.
The real issues at hand would be if you are lighting up insides of buildings or homes or shining your lights in a manner that disrupt the vision of people driving.
Those actions would get you in trouble regardless of what type of light you use.
Take Care,
mtbkndad :wave:
PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
Interesting question. I can only guess at this, but I think that as long as the light is being used for peaceful purposes (not to blind anyone, illuminate their bedroom or generally cause a disturbance or panic), it should be ok.
Daekar
Enlightened
What a sad day we live in when we have to worry about what the police think even when there are no laws about it... The day they start requiring licenses for powerful flashlights is the day I become a revolutionary. I'll be fighting for my life, lights, and the firearms they would've already have confiscated from me by that point.
James S
Flashlight Enthusiast
I have not studied the matter, but if there were any state wide laws against such things the way there are with laser pointers it would likely have come up in conversation here on the board and I haven't seen it.
More likely it would be what you are doing with your light that would get the police called on you or get you questioned if they happened to be around. That has certainly happened to people. But in cases where they weren't doing things like blinding drivers it has always ended happily with the police admiring the light.
There have been laws in the works to outlaw HID headlights as the fake ones and poor installs often violate headlight laws. But so far I'm not aware that this has actually happened has it? If so then the cops might use this as a pretense to give you trouble if you were making trouble with your light.
i actually used mine the other night to light up the woods while calling for a lost dog, everybody loved it and while we didn't find the dog, he did come home a few hours later.
More likely it would be what you are doing with your light that would get the police called on you or get you questioned if they happened to be around. That has certainly happened to people. But in cases where they weren't doing things like blinding drivers it has always ended happily with the police admiring the light.
There have been laws in the works to outlaw HID headlights as the fake ones and poor installs often violate headlight laws. But so far I'm not aware that this has actually happened has it? If so then the cops might use this as a pretense to give you trouble if you were making trouble with your light.
i actually used mine the other night to light up the woods while calling for a lost dog, everybody loved it and while we didn't find the dog, he did come home a few hours later.
picard
Flashlight Enthusiast
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I won't be using HID light to point at drivers. I just want it for emergency purpose for my BUG out kit and to use it in black out situation.
My area is frequently hit by light lighting that cause transformer to blow out. It takes a whole day for power company to restore transformer. I want to use the light to get around the neighborhood and scare any potential robbers.
My area is frequently hit by light lighting that cause transformer to blow out. It takes a whole day for power company to restore transformer. I want to use the light to get around the neighborhood and scare any potential robbers.
PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
Glad to see that the dog came back. He was probably afraid of that blinding light! :huh:
I read of a guy that got busted out of a baseball game for shining a "powerfull" flashlight at the pitcher, he was escorted out by the cops and banned from the stadium. It was all over the news , I dont rememer which teasm where playing.
PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
That was clearly an aggressive and disruptive use of a light. I would've been one of the fans applaudiing as he was hauled away for doing that.
In Illinois, no such law exists. The only trouble I can see is if used in the manner above, in some sort of disorderly conduct type of activity. Shining it intentionally into peoples homes, in a way you would cause someone to be alarmed etc.
nitnapz
Enlightened
I frequently walk at night, and I've once gotten a compliment with my PowerOnBoard, from walkers.. "that's the brightest light i've ever seen" .
I've never been stopped by the Police to question the flashlights, but i've sure they will be jealous that yours is much brighter than theirs. Many atimes, i'll step onto my street, shine a brighta** light at the car parked, and watch them take off their inside lights and slowly drive off... Many people think that someone holding a brighta** light is in enforcement. too bad for them 420ers, the bench is MINE !!!
If anything, i sometimes worry about my KIU bezel on the magmods. it looks like a sort of glass shattering or weapon type, especially on thing 3cell and up !
I've never been stopped by the Police to question the flashlights, but i've sure they will be jealous that yours is much brighter than theirs. Many atimes, i'll step onto my street, shine a brighta** light at the car parked, and watch them take off their inside lights and slowly drive off... Many people think that someone holding a brighta** light is in enforcement. too bad for them 420ers, the bench is MINE !!!
If anything, i sometimes worry about my KIU bezel on the magmods. it looks like a sort of glass shattering or weapon type, especially on thing 3cell and up !
James S
Flashlight Enthusiast
I wasn't really expecting to spotlight the dog
It was more for me to keep an eye out for alligators, holes in the ground, snakes, and other nighttime nasties that might be wandering around in the pitch darkness. And for that it worked great.
Civilians?? OMG I thought I was a citizen!!! :thinking: I thought police were civilians too.. oh crap I better get out my updated dictionary that says police are not civilians anymore..
They are considering restrictions against the bluebulbs because they create alot of glare and you can't see as good with them in the fog and rain anyways as 4200K bulbs. But I haven't heard any legislation immediately pending, there may be new laws on the state level, but that would be up to your local jurisdiction.
Lightraven
Flashlight Enthusiast
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From Merriam-Webster Online:
Civilian (noun)
1. A specialist in Roman or modern civil law
2. a one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force
b outsider
I have seen this argument on other forums and it can only end badly for absolutely no reason (because who cares? It's just a word.) The original poster used the term correctly both in dictionary definition as well as common use.
Civilian (noun)
1. A specialist in Roman or modern civil law
2. a one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force
b outsider
I have seen this argument on other forums and it can only end badly for absolutely no reason (because who cares? It's just a word.) The original poster used the term correctly both in dictionary definition as well as common use.
KeyGrip
Flashlight Enthusiast
Bright serchlights like the Tanklight or BVH's giant death ray can't be used near airports on in a flightpath, and I suspect that goes for most high powered lights and lasers.
Bushman5
Enlightened
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- 977
Excerpt from Article 6, subsection 5.1222A "Possession of lighting equipment laws":
"Slaves of the State may not own a flashlight brighter than 5 candlepower. Only Police, Military and other agencies that control the State are allowed to possess and use flashlights and other lighting equipment brighter than 5 candlepower.
Slaves found in possession and use of flashlights greater than 5 candlepower will be subject to arrest and detention without legal representation in a work camp, and all assets seized. Such slaves will be considered enemies of the State, and treated as Terrorists"
"Slaves of the State may not own a flashlight brighter than 5 candlepower. Only Police, Military and other agencies that control the State are allowed to possess and use flashlights and other lighting equipment brighter than 5 candlepower.
Slaves found in possession and use of flashlights greater than 5 candlepower will be subject to arrest and detention without legal representation in a work camp, and all assets seized. Such slaves will be considered enemies of the State, and treated as Terrorists"
PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
Bushman, which country's laws are you quoting here?
