From Bull to Beam: Dangerous Laser Pointers and the National Pyrotechnics Festival in Mexico

During Mexico’s National Pyrotechnics Festival, a model of a bull was burned as part of the festivities. The event, which takes place in Tultepec just north of Mexico City, attracts around 100,000 revelers annually. The festival lasts for seven days, with the main event occurring on March 8th.

Meanwhile, a video posted on TikTok showed numerous people shining laser pointers at a passenger jet flying overhead during the festival. The video went viral, garnering over 30 million views. Shining lasers at aircraft is illegal in most countries and punishable by law. In the United States, individuals could face up to five years in prison for this offense.

The incident sparked outrage on social media, with many people questioning the legality and safety of such acts. In the US, laser incidents targeting aircraft have been on the rise, with the Federal Aviation Administration receiving a record 13,000 reports last year alone. The FAA issued a reminder that shining lasers at airplanes and helicopters is a federal crime that puts lives at risk.

In fact, in a previous case, a man was charged with aiming a laser pointer at a Delta Air Lines jet near Buffalo, New York. The accused could potentially face five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if found guilty. Such incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers and legal consequences associated with pointing lasers at aircraft.

On one hand, it’s astonishing how some people would stoop so low to engage in such reckless behavior during an event meant to celebrate Mexican culture and tradition.

On another hand