a premptive strike agianst airsoft abusure

[anubis]

with bad press about airsoft on the rise and an increasing possibly of airsoft becoming illegal in the north west i purpose that the community of people who enjoy the sport in a safe legal manner. began to look at ways to stop people from abusing airsoft guns.

the common issue is people painting them and using them in crimes.

since only a handful of people are committing these crimes a simple solution..that could even be done here on airsoft pacific.create a list of namesof the people who are using airsoft guns in illegal ways..since there only a handfull of places that sell airsoft guns. provide each retailer with a list of these people who have been convicted for using airsoftguns illegally. when some one wants to purchase an airsoft gun the person would have to show a legal form of ID. the retailer would check the list. and take down the buyers name and id number..it may not be the best solution but i think it's the best duterrent against the rise in these crimes. and possibly one of the only ways to keep airsoft from being outlawed all together.

[Martin.]

good luck.

[Osmo]

While I agree with your intention to preserve our hobby, the ideas you propose are not viable options and would not be effective enough to achieve this goal.

"there only a handfull of places that sell airsoft guns."

Unfortunately, this is not the case. Many large sporting good chains sell airsoft replicas, most of them springers or LPEGs.

The surge in airsoft's popularity and the accessibility of airsoft replicas is a significant issue. I believe the biggest step that could be taken in preventing the misuse of airsoft replicas is making sure that they are not sold to minors. Also, mandatory distribution of safety information and guidelines about responsible use of airsoft equipment would go a long way.

[anubis]

[quote="Osmo C"]While I agree with your intention to preserve our hobby, the ideas you [i]propose[/i] are not viable options and would not be effective enough to achieve this goal.

[quote]"there only a handfull of places that sell airsoft guns."[/quote]
Unfortunately, this is not the case. Many large sporting good chains sell airsoft replicas, most of them springers or LPEGs.

The surge in airsoft's popularity and the accessibility of airsoft replicas is a significant issue. I believe the biggest step that could be taken in preventing the misuse of airsoft replicas is making sure that they are not sold to minors. Also, mandatory distribution of safety information and guidelines about responsible use of airsoft equipment would go a long way.[/quote]


still..most places already require that everyone show ID when buyng airsoft guns..unless the person looks older..but asking to see id i think is one of the simplist steps. and the unfortunite down side is there are many minors that enjoy the sport as well. in this case id say the outcome is no different than a parent buyiny there kid a hunting rifle..the parents being the one buying it is legally responsible for the legal use of that weapon. the problem is many parents buy airsoft guns for there kids thinking it's just a toy. by taking the extra steps it would at least hopfully reduce the amount of minors buying them for illegal purposes..bing that a majority of the recent crimes are commited by minors..and a final step you be that only a legal parent could purchase the gun for the minor.

[Osmo]

You're right that many people don't understand the potentially serious consequences of replica misuse. Which is why education is the most important step to addressing this situation.

Although the law states that airsoft replicas cannot be sold to minors, many retailers and private parties do so anyway. Excessive regulation is not the best response. What we need is better enforcement of existing laws and more education about the risks associated with the hobby.

The Airsoft Pacific community has no business regulating sales of airsoft products.

I would be interested in people's thoughts about creating safety pamphlets for retailers to distribute free with airsoft replicas.

[DMitri]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_process_overhead

[anubis]

[quote="Osmo C"]You're right that many people don't understand the potentially serious consequences of replica misuse. Which is why education is the most important step to addressing this situation.

Although the law states that airsoft replicas cannot be sold to minors, many retailers and private parties do so anyway. Excessive regulation is not the best response. What we need is better enforcement of existing laws and more education about the risks associated with the hobby.

The Airsoft Pacific community has no business regulating sales of airsoft products.

I would be interested in people's thoughts about creating safety pamphlets for retailers to distribute free with airsoft replicas.[/quote]

the only issue is it just tells people. i've been in some of the stores and i see kids come in asking to see the various guns and on more than one occasion i've heard said kids talk about committing illegal acts..they know its wrong. hell a person must have been dropped on there head if they think it's ok to rob a store. or mug someone. granted there have also been a few incidents that were honest mistake..like the orange tip broke off..hell i've had that happen to more than one of my guns. and it's true many people dont know the all the laws about how to legally use and transport them. somthing like pamphlets would help reduce those incedents.

[Osmo]

edit: VVVVV - Ah, ok.

[DMitri]

That was in response to Anubis' suggestion of having retailers essentially do a background check on everyone who purchases a replica.

[Eyes On]

As for creating some kind of list of people who commit crimes with airsoft guns:

Say it with me; Libel

[anubis]

[quote="DMitri"]That was in response to Anubis' suggestion of having retailers essentially do a background check on everyone who purchases a replica.[/quote]

well not a full. just a simple list that a persons name and id gets on if they use said guns illegally. the info's already out there anyway. if you planing to use the guns in accordance with the laws then why should it be a huge deal and retailer would most likely jump at the idea being it would be an added protection agianst liability lawsuits.

[CommieHunter]

What about the guy who has his friend buy him an airsoft replica? What about the THOUSANDS of used airsoft replicas that get sold on classifieds on airsoft forums?

There are too many holes, too much effort, and too little positive benefit to make it worthwhile.

[anubis]

[quote="CommieHunter"]What about the guy who has his friend buy him an airsoft replica? What about the THOUSANDS of used airsoft replicas that get sold on classifieds on airsoft forums?

There are too many holes, too much effort, and too little positive benefit to make it worthwhile.[/quote] i never said the idea was perfect. no idea for these issues is ever perfect. it's just a way to help appiese the community. and some prevention is better than nothing. like i said to it's to also prevent the same assholes that pull these stunt from suing the retailers.

[KA-BAR]

what we are not looking for is appeasment, we are looking for real solid solutions. i know everyone hates to bring this up, but pushing the APL age limit to 18, and strictly enforceing it is the only open avenue i see in our future for maintaining the integrity of the sport/hobby we love so much. and i know all the lil chairsofters will come flying out of nooks and crannies to come flame me, but so what. i dont care if your parents approve, and i dont care how irresponisble they want to raise you, i just dont want it to defile that which i hold dear and enjoy so much. if you are soo mature at age 14-15, then you are mature enuff to know that the rest of your peer group is messing it up for you, and you leave the adults with no other recourse. i am sorry but just like in baseball, they have seperated the leagues, i say we do the same here......you dont see T-Ballers playing in the major leagues on world series day for a good reason. the same should be with airsoft. maybe there should be two leagues within the APL. then the kids can still have a "supervised outlet" and a chance to still play, and it also gives them somthing to strive for.... a kind of reward for not asshatting with airsoft guns while under-age.

also raising the AGE limit would also raise the bar at our OP's, we need to adjust our level of immersion and skill/play. either that or lower the cost of your OP's....who really wants to pay 35 bucks and not get the immersion they paid for???? either that or charge way less for the OP's cause its really just a clusterfu.ck with all the lil kiddies running around yelling other peoples hits and such.

i mean when we see mothers starting to post asking questions about " should i buy my 7 year old a airsoft gun?"....should i buy my 7 year old a airsoft gun....lemme think about that for a momen, OKAY MOMENT OVER!!! when crap like this starts occuring on a regular basis, they you know for a fact it is time to raise the AGE limit. parents just have no conception. i went with troy and pittsmen to the gun show this weekend, and i saw three instances where a happily smilling child ( all three were under the age of 12, ALL KIDS) walked away from a vendors table with a cheap pile of real steel looking plastic, and a retard of a parent saying " there ya go, now you can shoot your brother" or better yet this one was classic " now you can shoot with the rest of the boys in the neibourhood!"....should have just said "here son, go point this at a cop...ill go inside and call a ambulance!"

anyway that is my .02 cents

KA-BAR out

[Osmo]

Raising the age limit to 18 is a great idea for all the reasons you listed.

But if AP began restricting younger players, I think we would be missing an important opportunity to give these players an environment in which they can learn constructive and responsible use of airsoft replicas.

On the other hand, an 18+ age limit could protect the community from future anti-airsoft legislation since it might be able to demonstrate that airsoft is a safe, organized and fun hobby for adults.