If Lightsabers are outlawed....

Wicked Lasers of Hong Kong has come out with a very powerful laser capable of igniting flesh on fire and blinding people.
It looks eerily similiar to the fictional lightsabers carried by Jedi Knights in George Lucas's Star Wars.

Well, now Lucasfilms has sent Wicked Lasers a letter ordering them to cease and desist from marketing this laser. It seems that indeed, lasers are dangerous and someone could get hurt.

It has come to our attention that a company called Wicked Lasers is selling a highly dangerous product out of Hong Kong that is designed to look like a lightsaber from Star Wars. This product is not licensed or approved by Lucasfilm in any way. We have demanded that Wicked Lasers immediately cease and desist their infringing activities. As Wicked Lasers itself admits, this product can cause serious injury to the user and other people. We strongly discourage consumers from purchasing it.

Really? Who would have known? Two things, first, Star Wars is so ingrained into our culture that on a regular basis Star Wars references are used. Does anyone remember Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf calling his top commanders in the first Gulf War his Jedi Knights? So, if someone makes a connection that somehow this laser appears similiar to some fictional weapon, then that falls on the observer. Second, lasers can be dangerous. Even the little laser pointers sold at convenience stores carry a warning. One that can burn skin is right to carry a warning.

Remember, if Lightsabers are outlawed, only outlaws will have.... wait. Wasn't that the whole point of the Star Wars movies, the eradication of the Jedi Knights. Indeed.