As far as I know (in the US) laser sights are things anyone can buy, you don’t need a class 3 license. However are there technologies where you can buy a laser sight that is outside of the visible spectrum along with an eyepiece that allows you to see where the laser is pointing? Are those class 3?
Since I’m on the subject, what levels of firearm restriction are there in the US? I am under the impression it goes like this.
Convicted felons, people charged with domestic violence, people with ROs, can’t own any guns in most states (if not on a nationwide level). Same with minors in some states.
Aside from that, most people can buy handguns, rifles, assault rifles and long barrel shotguns.
Getting something like a machine gun, short barrel shotgun or silencer requires a class 3 licence.
Beyond that, there are some weapons civilians can’t buy no matter what unless they are military or in law enforcement and can show a need for like LAW rockets.
Beyond that, I’d assume there are some weapons even people in law enforcement and military can’t get. Sarin gas as an example.
I’m pretty sure no sights or sighting apparatus are regulated at all. What’s the difference between an invisible laser & eyepiece, and a well sighted-in conventional reflex/red dot sight anyway? Both put rounds on target without the other guy knowing until they hit; which can be said for good old iron sights too.
Firearm restrictions are very much a state-by-state thing, with the only Federal regulations I’m aware of are the Class 3 ones you mention, which are pretty much pertinent to silenced and fully-automatic weapons. Some states require licensing, some states ban or restrict some types of guns, and others don’t have any restrictions beyond Federal law.
I don’t know that there are actually weapons that are restricted to law enforcement, or state/local governments. There are ones that probably aren’t purchased, but they’re probably more along the lines of poison gas and incendiaries, or other things that don’t really have a legitimate law enforcement use. Law enforcement and state governments can most definitely buy class 3 weapons however.
State governments can even have tanks and aircraft and whatever; in peacetime, the National Guard units are NOT Federal units, so unless it’s Federalized, Rick Perry controls an entire armored division, complete with M1A1 tanks.
Laser sights, unless thing have changed recently aren’t regulated by anything other than the FCC. The problem with having IR laser sights is that now you need a pair of NVGs to see the laser.
Also, a Class III license is for people who sell NFA weapons. People who want to buy one need to obtain a tax stamp which involves getting a background check, paying a fee, being printed, being approved by the local sheriff, etc. This is at the federal level and there may be laws in your state further restricting or outright forbidding your purchase. Technically you could buy a LAW if you could find a seller and local laws allowed and the local sheriff is game.
I don’t know about poison gas, but you definitely could not buy a nuke.
There are legal IR aiming lasers available on the civilian market, as well as the night vision devices necessary to see the laser. They use a Class 1 IR and a Class IIIa visible laser.
Here is one such aiming laser. http://tnvc.com/shop/ldi-dbal-i2-class-1-ir-laser/
For firearm ownership, you have pretty much hit all of the Federal restrictions. The complete list is found under question 11 (b) through (l)of the Form 4473 found here: http://www.atf.gov/files/forms/download/atf-f-4473-1.pdf
Most people aged 21 can buy pistols and pistol ammo.
Most people aged 18 can buy shotguns, rifles and ammo.
Rifles cannot have a barrel shorter than 16".
Shotguns cannot have a barrel shorter than 18".
Getting a domestically manufactured machinegun produced before 1986 or one imported before 1969 does not require a Class III license. All that is required is completion of ATF Form 4 and the payment of a $200 tax stamp. Absent a more restrictive State or Local law, anyone who can legally purchase any other firearm is authorized to purchase a machinegun. After payment of the fee and about a 6 month wait, the Form 4 will be returned to you with a Tax Stamp authorizing you to receive the specific machinegun listed on the form. This process must be completed for each machinegun one purchases. It is also to purchase a machinegun as a Trust or Corporation. Doing it this way bypasses the fingerprint requirement and the CLEO signature requirement.
ATF Form 4 is here: https://www.atf.gov/files/forms/download/atf-f-5320-4.pdf
Silencers can also either be made by the individual using ATF Form 1 or purchased from another person or dealer using ATF Form 4. The Tax fee is $200.
Machineguns get a little trickier if they were made after 1986. That is when it becomes necessary to have a Class III (FFL SOT), and agency letter of intent to purchase one.
Rockets, grenades and “destructive devices” are complicated, but they can be purchased by civilians. They are extremely expensive, and each one requires a $200 tax on top of the cost.
While rockets are legal, missiles (having a guidance system) are not. CBRNE weapons and WMDs are also illegal.
Most of the heavier military ordinance is covered by laws governing possession of explosives (including shells above .50 caliber). And national security laws intended to control the export of military tech means that major weapons systems are by federal license only.
Even completely independently of their use as gun sights, invisible lasers are rated as more dangerous than visible lasers of the same power. If someone shines a red laser right into your eyes, you’ll blink, and depending on the power of the laser, you might even blink fast enough to prevent serious damage. If the same thing happens with an infrared or ultraviolet laser, though, you’ll keep your eyes open, giving the laser time to do more damage.