diff --git a/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerGrab.js b/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerGrab.js
index c3260e8724..84e94e85b6 100644
--- a/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerGrab.js
+++ b/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerGrab.js
@@ -15,9 +15,9 @@
 
 (function() { // BEGIN LOCAL_SCOPE
 
-Script.include("/~/system/libraries/utils.js");
-Script.include("/~/system/libraries/Xform.js");
-Script.include("/~/system/libraries/controllers.js");
+Script.include("../libraries/utils.js");
+Script.include("../libraries/Xform.js");
+Script.include("../libraries/controllers.js");
 
 //
 // add lines where the hand ray picking is happening
@@ -792,7 +792,7 @@ function MyController(hand) {
     };
 
     this.setState = function(newState, reason) {
-
+        setGrabCommunications((newState === STATE_DISTANCE_HOLDING) || (newState === STATE_NEAR_GRABBING));
         if (WANT_DEBUG || WANT_DEBUG_STATE) {
             var oldStateName = stateToName(this.state);
             var newStateName = stateToName(newState);
diff --git a/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerPointer.js b/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerPointer.js
index b5e38fc38c..1fc0a7a82c 100644
--- a/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerPointer.js
+++ b/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerPointer.js
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 // When partially squeezing over a HUD element, a laser or the reticle is shown where the active hand
 // controller beam intersects the HUD.
 
-Script.include("/~/system/libraries/controllers.js");
+Script.include("../libraries/controllers.js");
 
 // UTILITIES -------------
 //
@@ -484,6 +484,9 @@ function update() {
     if (!activeTrigger.state) {
         return off(); // No trigger
     }
+    if (getGrabCommunications()) {
+        return off();
+    }
     var hudPoint2d = activeHudPoint2d(activeHand);
     if (!hudPoint2d) {
         return off();
diff --git a/scripts/system/libraries/controllers.js b/scripts/system/libraries/controllers.js
index c77ce4578c..8b5c1bc2fb 100644
--- a/scripts/system/libraries/controllers.js
+++ b/scripts/system/libraries/controllers.js
@@ -7,6 +7,14 @@
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
 /* global MyAvatar, Vec3, Controller, Quat */
 
+var GRAB_COMMUNICATIONS_SETTING = "io.highfidelity.isFarGrabbing";
+setGrabCommunications = function setFarGrabCommunications(on) {
+    Settings.setValue(GRAB_COMMUNICATIONS_SETTING, on ? "on" : "");
+}
+getGrabCommunications = function getFarGrabCommunications() {
+    return !!Settings.getValue(GRAB_COMMUNICATIONS_SETTING, "");
+}
+
 
 // var GRAB_POINT_SPHERE_OFFSET = { x: 0, y: 0.2, z: 0 };
 // var GRAB_POINT_SPHERE_OFFSET = { x: 0.1, y: 0.175, z: 0.04 };