To highlight the level of ignorance these "laser lighters" attain,
While in the far away desert an A345, on short final to the Middle East's busiest airport, reported a laser strike to the tower controller. The local constabulary were responding to these reports aggressively and launched their helicopter to investigate. While patrolling the area of the reported illumination at very low level, the bright spark proceeded to illuminated the police helicopter and was quickly invited to explain his actions downtown.