Abstract: A laser flashlight employs a laser emitter disposed within a housing for emitting a coherent light along an optical axis toward the light emitting end of the housing. A power supply selectively applies electricity from a battery pack disposed within the housing to the laser emitter. An optical system disposed within the housing intermediate the laser emitter and the light emitting end of the housing includes a laser element pumped by the laser emitter, a frequency/wavelength converter, and a resonator, to form the coherent light into a laser beam. A beam expander receives the laser beam, disperses the laser beam, and transmits the dispersed laser beam from the light emitting end of the housing into the ambient environment. The dispersion of the laser beam is such that the laser beam is safe for the human eye at the light emitting end of the housing.