Airsoft Ownership

[SpetzGRU]

I live in PA and I have my own team that was created back in Febuary.
And we have been granted permission to play on private land that outskirts the town and thats all been checked out. But before I go talk to the towns police could you help me with some issues including the legal age to handle and use and airsoft gun? (if there even is one) Im afraid hes gonna put his foot down because our age range is 14-16. We follow all the rules but we are a newly formed team playing in a new field in a new town. Most are veterans of other teams.

And we do have a short walk from my house where we meet to the field (less than a block though) but it is on a road. Most of use dont have gun cases but we all have the orange tip is that considered brandishing?

Wish I could find a legal Beagle lol

[Bubba]

And we do have a short walk from my house where we meet to the field (less than a block though) but it is on a road. Most of use dont have gun cases but we all have the orange tip is that considered brandishing?

Toss them in a duffel bag or whatever, as long as it's an opaque container. Hell, you could use the cardboard boxes they came in. Just because you don't have a rifle bag isn't an excuse.

[Munky]

if i knoes right then the minimum age stateside is 14. i know it is in washington, but not sure about PA.

just have some crap a$$ springers ready for them confinscate...thats what we did and when we went to "liberate" them they were shooting each other in their office. i was pissed thay said they had to keep the pellets but could return the gun.

[Hotcurry]

Couple of things...

Be out-front about the whole deal. Talk to anyone adjacent to the property and let them know what you are up to and show them that you are "nice young men". Be funny, and tell them when they see armed freaks in the woods that you are only 're-enactors' with bb guns.

Call the police station and ask for their fax number (or email). Find out from the duty Sgt. how you can communicate with them so they will put your event on their morning roster. If they know up-front you are going to be there, they won't respond to every call they get. You may want your parents to do this. If the police know there is an adult in the picture they will be less twitchy.

Never carry your AEGs, red tip or not, in the open. Bags. Garbage bags, whatever. People are twitchy about guns carried in public, so don't give anyone any ammo (ha), to use against you.

Be openly cool and friendly. When someone approaches you, don't skulk. Be the first to talk and be really friendly and 'understanding'. Don't be defensive, or do any of the 'we have a right to be here' stuff. If anyone starts flipping you sh!t, let them know that the police know you are there, and you have permission, and they can feel free to call the station if need be. Have the number on hand, and offer them a cell phone. Aggressive friendliness will win over sullen defensiveness. If everyone in the neighborhood is in on it, you might have some curious people wanting to play, and it lets the neighborhood talk about it behind your backs and the more sane folk will go to bat for you.

[Daikuma]

just have some crap a$$ springers ready for them confinscate...thats what we did and when we went to "liberate" them they were shooting each other in their office. i was pissed thay said they had to keep the pellets but could return the gun.

That's almost funny, because that is a procedure for the confescation of REAL firearms if they ever have to confiscate a weapon after a shooting (so you don't load up and unload on the cops). I guess they're afraid you were gonna mow them down with .2s - VERY Funny!

[Daikuma]

Couple of things...

Be out-front about the whole deal. Talk to anyone adjacent to the property and let them know what you are up to and show them that you are "nice young men". Be funny, and tell them when they see armed freaks in the woods that you are only 're-enactors' with bb guns.

Call the police station and ask for their fax number (or email). Find out from the duty Sgt. how you can communicate with them so they will put your event on their morning roster. If they know up-front you are going to be there, they won't respond to every call they get. You may want your parents to do this. If the police know there is an adult in the picture they will be less twitchy.

Never carry your AEGs, red tip or not, in the open. Bags. Garbage bags, whatever. People are twitchy about guns carried in public, so don't give anyone any ammo (ha), to use against you.

Be openly cool and friendly. When someone approaches you, don't skulk. Be the first to talk and be really friendly and 'understanding'. Don't be defensive, or do any of the 'we have a right to be here' stuff. If anyone starts flipping you sh!t, let them know that the police know you are there, and you have permission, and they can feel free to call the station if need be. Have the number on hand, and offer them a cell phone. Aggressive friendliness will win over sullen defensiveness. If everyone in the neighborhood is in on it, you might have some curious people wanting to play, and it lets the neighborhood talk about it behind your backs and the more sane folk will go to bat for you.

It also helps (if you are going to be doing a lot of skirmishes in the same district) to get to know the local PIO (Public Information Officer) for the police station responsible for the area. The PIO tends to be the "Public Face" of your local police, and he is definitely the guy you want on your side.

Typically, the PIO is also the person to have as a contact if you ever want to involve the police in any of your local charitable organizations (Boy Scouts, DARE program, school events, etc.) This can be handy if you ever get to the point where you are the ones hosting a local event (maybe with a civic service tie-in) and want to get past the red tape ASAP.

If the cops think of your group as "the local airsoft group", and you build a solid working relationship, you will also be able to avoid any misunderstandings if a complaint should be filed by someone more sensitive and less understanding (of what they mistakenly perceive, with good cause, of course, as juvenile delinquents with automatic weapons).

Good Luck, We're all counting on you....

[SpetzGRU]

Thanks man im going tomarrow with my two squad leaders to go talk to them. I know two of the officers to be complete assholes so were trying to get one of the nicer ones lol. Ill also try and get everyone to get gun cases I usually use my shotgun case if I go to an OP but most dont have one. By the way the teams called E.P.S.T I used A.P.S.T as a base because you guys are professional and we hope to build a similar rep.