By AP
Springfield, IL – An Illinois legislator who is also a pilot says the General Assembly should create a state criminal charge to lodge against people who aim laser pointers at aircraft. Republican State Representative Dave Winters says there isn't enough protection against the dangerous offense that can temporarily blind pilots on approach or takeoff and could possibly cause a crash. The lasers used are commonly found to be green and have a range of several miles. According to Federal Aviation officials, the number of such incidents more than doubled last year.