Ocean City Banning Laser Pointers, Switchblades

OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) -- Town leaders in Ocean City are banning the sale and possession of switchblades and laser pointers in the resort before the summer tourism season kicks off.

The council voted Monday to enact the bans as emergency legislation. With Mayor Rick Meehan's signature, the bans can go into effect immediately ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

Police Chief Ross Buzzuro requested the bans during a work session last week. He says officers are seeing more of these knives and the department has received almost 1,000 calls related to laser pointers over the past three years.

Anyone caught selling or possessing the items could face a $1,000 fine and/or 90 days behind bars.