Does anyone know of laws pertaining to garage doors?

Here's how I understand the issue:

If the garage door opener doesn't meet the UL325 standards (see below) then it should not be repaired under any circumstances. The UL325 standards pertain to entrapment protection. In layman's terms, if the garage door opener doesn't reverse on a 1-1/2" obstruction then it doesn't meet the standards and should be replaced per the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Here is the CPSC web site that gives lots of information on this issue. This should arm you with enough information to get the garage door opener replaced.

http://www.cpsc.gov/volstd/garage/garage.html

Generally, regulations such as those are only prospective (i.e. it may be illegal to sell such a garage door now, but because that law wasn't in effect when your garage door was manufactured and installed, it probably wouldn't apply).

Of course, if you're injured by the door, and you can prove that the manufacturer knew or was negligent in knowing that, at the time of manufacture, the design of the door would cause injury, and they didn't provide reasonable information to warn you of such dangers, then sometimes you can sue for products liability damages. But Since you are already consciously aware of the dangers, it's up to you to make those changes. Talk to a lawyer; the mere fact a lawyer would write a nasty letter to the company might be enough for them to take action and at least offer to upgrade the door. But I think it's probably wishful thinking.

I feel for you. Unfortunately, you live on military property and they will do whatever they want with it. You might get hold of "The Book" that lists all the rules and regulations on maintaining military property and see if you can get them on that, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Or, you can wait for the inevitable transfer to another post and let someone else deal with it.