Is my Mini mag modded flashlight illegal to ...?

Will this light get me into trouble with the law if used within reason?
Maglite mini, made to handle either two AA or two 14500 Lion batteries.
It has a carlco lens, Cree E2 and G2 leds on a copper mcpcb, water proof, and has reflective coating lense for better output and to protect the carlco lens.
This one of many lights that I have either modded from not so great lights to wild builds that roasts and start fire to all sorts of materials.

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Well…… a light with blue and red and the ability to cycle between the two to mimic what would be police emergency flashing pattern yes if you used it in anyway in that mode ANYONE could report you for “impersonating” an officer.

I doubt you can justify a red/blue cycled flash within “reason”, my advice just steer clear of the color combination to be on the safe side rather than try riding the line and testing the waters….

P.S might want to mention in post that the light uses red and blue emitters that produce a cycling pattern that police emergency vehicles have rather than linking a video and adding a click bait/misleading description and title.

Don’t listen to them.

If it’s Maglite, any kind, everything is good.

Many chinese flashlights are using red and blue blinking similar to US police do. Yet rest of the world is not WOWed.

Carry on.

You might want to reconsider giving such bad advice…. the OP whom posted this is also a resident in America which has fairly strict laws against “impersonating” an officer all it takes is someone reporting it then claim as such and the OP being in possession of such a device with ability described would be enough to be charged.

I also don’t care if the “rest of the world is not WOWed” as you put it since laws in different parts of the world are also not subjected to the OP as he resides in the states where the laws there do apply.

If you read what the “intent” the OP mentioned in the quote above its fairly vague and to me seems to be riding a thin line bordering an arrest, I personally highly doubt a flashing red/blue cycled pattern light could be argued to be used with in “reason” as a civilian….

wow, that sounds Sooo facist! maybe he just liked the colors, that`s all the intent he needs surely!?
I`d demand to see what I signed that gave my consent to this “law” dictating what colors I can have in my own flashlight.

unless he`s actually Commited a crime with it he`s still innocent and agents of the state should keep their noses out of it!

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I guess this is a question that some members here that are/were law enforcement officers in your state/country can reply more correctly.

Different countries (eventually different states), different laws.

So, I guess that all we can say as outsiders is not objective but subjective and will probably not reply directly to OPs question.

Probably not an issue unless you use it in your car or something like that.

Law enforcement officers in the U.S. are not required to know the law, so they’re a terrible source for legal opinions. Even most attorneys only know their narrow field of practice. Best bet is to look up the laws of your state, and maybe see if you can get an attorney with the right subscriptions to search for relevant cases.

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What’s funny is that the 2020 Jetbeam RRT-03 has exactly that mode.

^ And so does the Wuben Gecko E61 (similar, at least).

Thanks for the explanation manithree, I was not aware of that! :+1:

A citation would be appreciated. I’ve never heard it claimed that using red and blue flashing lights counts as impersonating an officer, except obviously if you do so on your car.

However, using unapproved lighting even of white or red on a car is illegal, and you can be ticketed for doing so. I just looked up my state laws on this to be certain, and they specifically state it is an infraction, rather than a crime like impersonating a police officer would be. You could not be arrested for unapproved lighting (although you could be arrested for failure to stop if you don’t comply when they cite you). The requirements in my state are:

- No flashing lights except warning lights, turn signals, and bicycle tail lights (I believe this means flashing bike headlights are prohibited, although this is clearly not - enforced).

- No red lights visible from the front.

- No blue lights, except on law enforcement vehicles, and classic cars may have a “blue dot”

  • No lighted signs capable of changing text (eg - to send road rage messages).

Reading my states laws about criminal impersonation, using red and blue flashing lights on a car would likely meet the standard of “creates an impression that he or she is a law enforcement officer,” but I don’t see how using them in a manner not plainly visible from a road would.

All points mentioned is correct, I made a mentions as the “intent” of what the OP wanted to do was unclear and also mentioned “Will this light get me into trouble with the law if used within reason?” I don’t see within any reason that one would need a strobe pattern similar to that of an emergency vehicle. As to my mention of “impersonation” someone or anyone whom dislikes what the OP does with such a light etc could easily report him and claim such an event and that is more than enough to get law enforcement to investigate.

My question is what is even the purpose of having such a mode? Is there any practicality in the flashing red/blue aside from amusing oneself?

New York is a fascist state. Since the CCP virus pandemic, the already tyrannical governor became a full fledged dictator. The state can punish you regardless if you broke one of their endless laws (most of which the public would never consent to) or not.

As to the flashing red/blue lights, I doubt most cops will care unless you use it while in a vehicle to impersonate the police/speed/pull people over or the like.

only if it can also be used as a silencer…

Considering that you could be arrested and convicted of a DUI if you’re sleeping it off in the backseat of your car, which is up on blocks, with keys locked in the glovebox, and all 4 flat tires, and no gas in the tank, and a dead battery to boot, I’d be leery of any semblance of “common sense” being used in (mis)applying the law anywhere.

Flash red’n’blue at your own peril.

I’ve been in a car/ van that someone had placed a colored beacon up on the dash . Same lights cops or fireman use but the color in that state meant it was cop . It wasn’t on and he was using it at a flea market to get attention and left it up on the dash . The cop who pulled him over for “ Something else “gave him a rash of **it about it . My friend a little unstrung ,started giving the cop a bunch of crap back... and then suddenly he used those three magic little words ....My brothers a cop .. ok 4 ..... I thought they were going to kiss and buy a house together. The cop apologized , my friend still laying it on him . I don’t think having a fictitious brother impersonating a police officer is illegal. It’s gotta be better than trying to be Billy obedient. If you go in front of a judge you can get philosophical and ask ...Am I my brothers keeper? “Who then is my brother ...Aren’t we all tied together commonly as a brotherhood of man .?

I like the greater question .. who the hell would want this mode anyway .. I just want a nice alpine beacon

Our security folks used red OR blue strobes to guide first responders to the best entrance to the scene of whatever emergency they were dealing with at the time. I know it sounds odd but the city shared emergency services with the neighboring cities and as a result the responding crews weren’t always familiar with all of our buildings. The security guard would be sent to the appropriate entry point and would hail the first responders with their lights. It was obvious the first time we tried it that it helped hasten the response because the company had a dozen buildings along a few blocks and the first responders were checking each one as they drove down the street. Once they were hailed by security they increased speed almost immediately.

So, did they ever get that house?

I wondered why buildings in a complex, industrial park, etc., never had strobes by the entrance, which could be flicked on by security personnel. Slow strobe (1pps or so) like when a fire drill happens, etc.

Ages ago on my block, few if any houses would have front lights on at night, and it was customary that if someone ordered a pizza or was just generally expecting someone, you’d flick on the front light to guide him in.

Nowadays that doesn’t work so well, as almost a quarter of the houses keep those lights on at night, and some of Those have those 5000W halogen monstrosities in their alleys that go on and off seemingly at random all damned night long.

Still, the general theory holds.