NIST laser safety expert Joshua Hadler has advised tabletop gamers of Warhammer 40,000 on using handheld lasers safely, after incidents at Colorado tournaments prompted concerns. Game organizer John Gianforte reported that a laser incident left him unharmed but highlighted the risks of using lasers for line‑of‑sight measurements. Early tournaments used Class 2 red lasers, but competitive play shifted to brighter green lasers, which Hadler notes can be more hazardous because they combine visible green light with invisible infrared. Hadler explained that some green models emit unshielded infrared, adding to the total power that can damage the eye. He suggested placing cardboard rings around tables to contain stray beams and using handheld laser meters at entrances to verify power levels. As a result, Gianforte’s group banned all green lasers, and several local clubs adopted the same rule. He also released a video to educate players about responsible use.
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