“If he removed the laser, reholstered the gun, and then proceeded to used the targeting laser as a laser pointer, then I wouldn’t really have a problem with it”
What if he unloaded and showed clear, then he would just be using a gun shaped laser pointer? Seriously the whole thing is absurb and inappropriate on a number of levels.
Agreed. However, I still think there's a major difference between using a "gun-shaped laser pointer" and a laser pointer which can be (but is not currently) attached to a gun.
Don't try to get around Rule #1. That is how accidents happen.