Night Vision

[jdberger]

What are the laws concerning hand-held night vision devices in California?

Can I possess one?

I'm thinking about a pocket scope for my SHTF bag. I figure that it might be useful.

Assuming it is legal, anyone have any recommendations? I'm looking for a nice balance of price/performance. 3rd generation would obviously be best but I fear that they are a little pricey.

[blkA4alb]

im not sure about all the legalities of it. i remember reading something about "sniper scopes and night vision." anything above generation 1 or 2 will be getting into the 4 figures, at least for scopes. a gen 1 or 2 handheld would probably be in the 400-800 range. dont know how much that helped

[Pablo]

What are the laws concerning hand-held night vision devices in California?

Can I possess one?

I'm thinking about a pocket scope for my SHTF bag. I figure that it might be useful.

Assuming it is legal, anyone have any recommendations? I'm looking for a nice balance of price/performance. 3rd generation would obviously be best but I fear that they are a little pricey.

Where do you live and how much are you planning to spend?
Third generation is not cheap but I know someone close from Sacramento that might cut you a deal, not by much but you might save some $$$.
IMO don't waste your money with Gen 1, try at least to get Gen 2+ (if you're on a budget) but don't go cheap.
Be very careful about what you buy specially if you decided to buy used. Ask a lot of questions about the intensifier tube; How many hours the tube has been used, if it has any blemishes, size and position, Photo-cathode Sensitivity (PR), Signal to Noise Ratio (S/N), Equivalent Background Illumination (EBI), Resolution (lp/mm) and if it comes with data sheet.

If you have any questions just let me know.

This is a pic of my PVS-14 Delta

[grammaton76]

If I'm not mistaken, as long as the night vision gear cannot be mounted on a rifle, you've got nothing to worry about with regards to the law. If it CAN, then there's a semi complicated checklist of things which, strangely enough, some of the better IR gear isn't subject to anyway due to its design.

[xenophobe]

Passive NVDs like starlight rifle scopes are 100% legal in CA. You can't hunt at night, and you would need to be on private unincorporated land to shoot at night, but it's completely legal. Active NVDs that require an external light source, like older IR stuff is illegal.

Definitely spend the extra $$$ and get 3rd Gen or better. I really want a AN/PVS-14...

[glen avon]

any hand-held is OK. But for SHTF? anything with an IR illuminator (Gen 1 or 2) will look like a flashlight to the other guys. get true gen 3 or nothing

for dicking around, the $100 cheapies are fun for a while.

[LOW2000]

Its fine as long as there is no IR illuminator. IR flashlight sitting on the table next to you pointed that way sure, but not mounted to the weapon.

If its non-weapon mounted, you can use whatever you want.

[glen avon]

I think IR flashlights are restricted, or maybe that's IR lasers. not sure, though

[SkyStorm82]

This is a pic of my PVS-14 Delta

Is that a Pac 4c? (I may have spelled that wrong)

[xenophobe]

IR lasers and Flashlights are not illegal to own. In many cases they're illegal to use in public, or outdoors. If you want to fry your eyes in the privacy of your own home, I guess they figure you're alright.

There are laws against importing non-FDA compliant lasers an IR devices, as well as selling them, but there is generally7 no law against possessing such devices. Their use may be restricted or regulated by city, county or state laws. For example, California has banned active weapon mounted IR NVDs. Passive NVDs as well as thermal (if you could ever afford such expensive toys, let alone even find them to aquire) are legal.

IR lasers like the AN/PAQ-4 and AN/PEQ-2 are restricted to LE/Mil/Gov sales under some obscure Federal Health and Safety regulation.

These companies don't like to sell to people who are not Military or LEO. It's perfectly legal to own a either of these units.... though they are not cheap. If you can find a used AN/PAQ-4 you'll probably pay $1500 or more in minty condition, and what? $3000+ for a AN/PEQ-2? I'm not sure, I've never looked into it, but I know a few people that own them... I had an AN/PAQ-4 on my AR when I took this pic:

Seems people don't blink when they're flashed with IR lasers like they will with a visible laser. No blinky, possible fried retinas.

Absolutely.

[glen avon]

some places will not sell IR maglites to the unwashed masses. I don't know if that is law or policy.

[xenophobe]

They're perfectly legal to own, it's just that sales really are restricted for health and safety reasons. I believe FDA regulation Chapter 5, subchapter C, section 531-534 allows the government to regulate the commerce (Sales but not possession) of radiation producing electronics. That's how it's been for decades.

I can sell you one. You can sell me one. If either of us is a business entity, then that is a different story.

There's also reference to a "CFDA/CDRH Product Safety Code, 21 CFD Part 1040." regarding Class IIIb lasers, but so far I haven't been able to track down the text.

Because you're searching in the wrong spot. That is 21 CFR 1040:

http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_01/21cfr1040_01.html

[Pablo]

Is that a Pac 4c? (I may have spelled that wrong)

No, that's a VITAL-2 (Variable Intensity Tactical Aiming Light).
BTW I just answered your PM Sky...

If anyone is interested in getting a IR laser unit this is the time!!!

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=29472