Armory Sponsor
Posted: 11/7/2013 11:50:50 PM EDT
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Sorry, this isn't a post on how to get a variance from the FDA so you can buy restricted lasers. (It's possible btw, provided you meet certain criteria for use)
This is a copy of the variance request letter BE Meyers sent to the FDA back in 2000 to cover some of their products. It's a neat letter, and details some of the safety requirements for high-powered lasers (interlock, expectation of instant emission, etc.) Anyway, a cool little piece of night vision history. The FDA website has tons of similar documents. BE Meyers variance request |
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I have read the regs several times going back to the mid 90's. For years I have been saying that based on my read I cannot see why someone cannot make a class IIb for the civilian market. It just has to meet several safety requirements and the reality is that they should not pose any real issue for the civilian user, especially during most hunting scenarios. Of course I am putting aside the potential liability issues for the maker, but hey if we civi's can be trusted with those pesky things called guns why not lasers.
Getting FDA approval even if you meet the requirements might be something else entirely. No need to try and educate me that today's Class I civi models are the greatest thing since sliced bread as I have been here a long time.  My statements are more of I think it can be done not if it needs to be done, but who am I to say what someone should have or not.
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A variance is how I came to own a 1 watt class 4 laser. It has a safety interlock which is really a metal pin I can remove to interrupt the circuit. And a disable mechanism, which is just a section of circuit I can remove with a Phillips screwdriver. Also, it is not instant emission as I must enter a code to begin emission.
I'm not sure how you'll be able to pull all that off on a weapon laser, if the FDA determines you need all those safety precautions. |
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This is a formal variance request for manufacturing. It's a completely different animal than a variance to purchase and operate.
Getting a variance to manufacture something like an IZLID isn't necessarily difficult, but there are major restrictions on what you can do with it and its final disposition. A purchase/operation variance where you're not the manufacturer is far more difficult and involves several forms detailing a bunch of different requirements and serious penalties for violating the terms set forth in the approved variance. Honestly it's not worth it to secure a variance to buy a commercial IR laser system, but it is possible. It is far more reasonable to manufacture one yourself, and there are many examples of guys building their own high-powered handheld lasers of varying wavelengths, including in the IT spectrum. |
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