I've worked on lasers for 32 years now.
I admit before a few years ago I dismissed most of these scares as the lasers available would not hurt the eye at any distance.
However things are now getting out of hand. I think it is time that all governments around the world brought in legislation, against the selling of lasers with a power greater than 5mW, to members of the public without a license.
There is no need whatsoever for people to have these devices to "play" with.