Which action constitutes the offense of directing a laser pointer at a uniformed safety officer?

• A. Directs light at a painting
• B. Knowingly directs a light from a laser pointer at a uniformed safety officer
• C. Intentionally directs a light at a private person
• D. Directs light at a dog

Answer: (B)

The action being tested requires two elements: directing the light from a laser pointer at a uniformed safety officer, and doing so knowingly. The offense focuses on unlawfully shining a laser into the path of someone designated as a uniformed safety officer, with the mental state that the person knows they are directing the beam at that officer. That combination is what makes the conduct criminal.

This is why directing the laser at a uniformed safety officer with knowledge is the correct fit. The other situations don’t meet the target requirement: a painting, a private person, or a dog aren’t uniformed safety officers, so they don’t satisfy the statute’s element about who is targeted.