We’ve all seen the ads... “Don’t Like Radar...Jam It.” They boast to make your car invisible to police radar guns and even guarantee to pay any speeding tickets. Are they legal? The manufacturers tell you yes. The law says no. The Federal Communications Commission says radar jammers are not legal to operate, manufacturer, or market. In the FCC’s Public Notice, DA 96-2040 the Commission says, “Radar Jammers are transmitters tuned to interfere with (jam) a radar signal. The intentional use of jammers is considered ‘malicious interference’ and is strictly prohibited by the Communications Act of 1934 as amended as well as the FCC rules. Anyone using a jammer risks penalties or faces criminal prosecution.” Congress has gotten involved. In 2006 letters to U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, the Chief of Staff of the FCC Enforcement Bureau tells the senator, “the Commission has specifically ruled that devices that are designed to jam or interfere with police radar may not be lawfully marketed in the U.S.” He further states, “The marketing, including radio advertising for sale, and use of RF devices designed to interfere with licensed radio services or other RF devices is prohibited, 47 U.S.C. 302(b) and 333.” Many states including Virginia, Iowa, Oklahoma, Utah, California, Minnesota, Washington, D.C., Nebraska and others have passed their own legislation banning the sale and use of a radar jammer. Letters have gone out to radio stations to stop running the radar jammer advertising. SML has been provided copies of the aired advertisements with stations identified and the time they have run. Four states have sought SML’s advise in drafting legislation banning the sale and use of radar jammers. This new state legislation is pending.

     What about laser jammers? Laser is controlled by the United States Food and Drug Administration for eye safety. The FCC has nothing to do with light transmission, only microwave. Laser jammers abound knowing the ineffectiveness of radar detectors to give any advanced warning to laser gun use. One not too smart company from Taiwan boldly puts the name Laser Jammer on the two transceivers mounted in the grill to the right. Explain that to the officer at your door. This laser jammer jammed nothing except the truth proving totally ineffective when tested against all laser guns used by law enforcement. However, two laser jammers worked well.

     Laser Blinder jammed every laser gun every time. Laser Echo, Lidatek, also worked wonders in befuddleing laser guns. The laser guns were unable to get a speed reading. However, laser guns from Stalker, Laser Technologies, and Laser Atlanta tell the officer they are being jammed. See the JAMMED picture above left. Laser jammers are mounted in the grill or in license plate enclosures. They must be able to see! An in-cabin control panel alerts the driver of laser use. Laser transmitters are not looking for road debris as one stopped suspect pleaded, nor are they looking for the nearest drive thru taco stand. Minnesota, Utah, and Minnesota have passed laws prohibiting the sale and use of laser jammers. Expect others shortly. Don’t get caught with one.