Senator Kevin De Leon's response to our letters of SB 798

[Matt]

10 years ago, the majority of us just bought our AEGs directly from Japanese or Chinese retailers. Shipping sucked, the average price of an AEG was $300. But we still bought them. Laws like this will put United States retailers out of business. If Redwolf Airsoft or WGC have realistic looking AEGs in stock, guess what, we'll buy from them. They cannot stop us from ordering AEGs overseas and they cannot check every box at customs. They don't have the resources or the time.

California wants to put their people out of business - unknowingly outsourcing AEG retailing overseas. Sure, a retailer from Oregon might refuse to send an AEG without the proper markings to California. But what about a Chinese retailer? They don't care. The majority of them don't understand how to properly educate kids in the US about how to be safe with their AEGs because they can't own real guns.

You would think the firearms companies and distributors would be outraged about this as well. They spent lots of money and tossed lots of lawyers around to enforce their trademarks and licenses. Some of them even made specific product lines just for Airsoft distribution in the US. Big money talks. This law would bring Airsoft back underground, who gives a shit if a product is licensed or not when you are buying from China. Nobody will want the brightly colored AEGs. If I worked for an of the major US distributors, I would be worried right now.

[Miracle]

Painting Guns doesn't fix the issues, there are still stories published about children waving water pistols, nerf guns and plastic dart pistols at LEOs who feel threatened and action is taken and the kids end up getting injured.

I have to agree that the issue seems to be kids getting ahold of airsoft guns and screwing around with them and getting hurt. The fact remains that regardless of how responsible some kids are (like the aforementioned team), children are a great soap box to build an issue on, whether its health, taxes, or public safety. The compromise will have to come in the form of stricter controls on replica firearms in minors' hands.

[shakespeare]

Just wondering...is there any part of the law which would prohibit the painting of the brightly colored AEG? Like, painting it the real colors?

[pseudoanimosity]

Just wondering...is there any part of the law which would prohibit the painting of the brightly colored AEG? Like, painting it the real colors?

I don't think it mentions that, or the fact that you could just buy different externals from any aftermarket dealer.

[Bic 101]

I have had personal experience with law enforcement and airsoft. I was playing with a few friends at their house, which was out of the city limits and far enough away from the next house not to cause problems. Despite this we went and spoke with his neighbors to ask if they minded up playing in his backyard. All of them said they didn't minded so we started playing.

After few games I went to my car to get more bb's and put my springer m4 on the ground next to my car. I know, this was a poor decision looking back but I did it. A car drove by and I noticed that the women driving it gave a rather nasty look in my direction but I didn't pay much mind to it. About 10 minutes later two cruisers showed up and asked us what we were doing. Most law enforcement personnel are very smart and have dealt with airsofters before. As long as you wait for their instructions and don't point anything in their direction they will only tell you to be careful or to pack up.

All in all, people need to be smart and obey all laws and realize that just because we can own and use airsoft guns this doesn't mean that everyone knows this. This women that drove by had no idea that it was an airsoft gun so she called 911.

[sovereignmule]

All in all, people need to be smart and obey all laws and realize that just because we can own and use airsoft guns this doesn't mean that everyone knows this. This women that drove by had no idea that it was an airsoft gun so she called 911.

Herein lies the problem: uneducated adults.... hence uneducated irresponsible children!

i own real firearms and my kids know about them and even how to handle or not to handle them. (i have 4 boys under the age of 9)

gone are the days when there was a firearms safety instructor in middle schools so that kids could see handle and learn to recognize guns and how to safely handle them. that is what needs to come back. education on firearms. i cant tell you how many times i have been muzzleflashed by some 14yr old and all i want to do is slap the parent because their snot nosed kid doesnt know how to handle the weapon.

properly educate people and take the fear out of firearms again!

[carbonfibreguy]

Here's a thing that might help.

Stop selling those damned $1 springers at the swap meet. That way, less morons can get their hands on them.

['Skyhawk']

I get the feeling he should be focusing on other more pressing issues......

Anyway I reiderate:

I would not worry too much:

Support:
Women Against Gun Violence

Opposition:
California Rifle and Pistol Association; National
Rifle Association; California Association of Firearms
Retailers; National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc.