Texas Bans Laser Jammers?
This morning the Associated Press is reporting that the Texas Transportation board is recommending the approval of a ban in all devices, including laser jammers that would hinder police equipment.
The possession, selling or trading of such a device would be a class C misdemeanor and the law would not apply to radar detectors.
13 Responses to “Texas Bans Laser Jammers?”
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The cops don’t like a challenge apparently
I beleive they passed it but it will not be in effect until september or october, it is ready bad, my jammer worked great so far, blinder m27 , great ticket saver, but it we keed using then can they know we are jaming their gun? is shwifter or jamer different?
Back when the laser speed determination units first came out, an auto magazine, I suspect that it was Road and Track, did a test. They determined that headlights interfered with the laser units. Headlights did not completely defeat the units; however, they did have a negative impact on the detection range. With this in mind, this law could outlaw headlights.
@Robert, that is correct about the article when laser 1st came out, but today headlights have little if any effect on any police lidar gun
It is possible to use your headlights in this manner but you would need a lamp that can switch on and off quickly enough to do it. Tungsten can’t do it fast enough.
Headlight modulators increase motorcyclist conspicuity and safety and did decrease the effectiveness of older lidar guns. Newer guns have programmed pulses and frequencies to help ignore background IR interference.
Still the burden of proof is on the officer who tagged you.
Know your rights and don’t get tricked into divulging enough information to incriminate yourself.
Be strategic about submitting to a search. If you refuse a search make sure they will find nothing when they search you. That way you can get a lawyer to get you that big 4th amendment payoff.
@ Artimus Primatha I never tested your theory of the headlamp modulators against laser guns but would be an interesting test. Had a set on my 2004 Ultra and I do agree they make you more visible.
Can they ban parking distance finders?
Why would they ban distance finders?
You need to look at the intent
Because the Laser Interceptor can also act as a parking aid.
Texas has done this probably as a result of seeing the videos (which are now gone) that were at one time posted to Youtube by one “Erickonphoenix” from the Houston area who posted his speeding exploits and use of a Laser Jammer along with a Valentine One to thwart being ticketed by Houston area cops while at times stating or showing he was driving over PSL. He was nabbed by one cop for an improper lane change in the one video and the cop outright asked him if he was not the one posting the videos to Youtube. He at first denied it then seconds later admitted he was the one. Best way to keep a secret? Keep it to yourself. Tell one other if you must is second best. (NCIS – Gibbs’ rule #4)
Reading the text of the law. It doesn’t ban the possesion of a jammer. Just it’s use and installation. It doesn’t mention the installation of the device before the law came into effect. Also, you can still keep your jammer provided that it isn’t used to jam lidar and used only in receive mode.
In any case the cop has the burden of proof that you jammed him. Possession of a jammer isn’t enough to warrant a class c misdemeanor.
I have an LI Quad and just moved to MN where they are also illegal. I just wonder how long will it be before the innocent “it’s just a parking sensor officer” story no longer carries any weight. I’m willing to bet there are some informed tech minded LEOs out there that know better but are bound by the vague laws as they stand currently.
We are not a nation of laws. We are a nation of Liberties. Laws are there to prevent other people, organizations, and agencies from stepping on your individual’s liberties.
Our laws don’t empower the government. They limit the government.
If the LEO’s are bound by vague laws then for their sake they should not be enforcing them. It makes it easier for LEO’s to lose in court.