Paintball industry basically chucks airsoft under the bus...

[Transition]

Here is a website that I found spread the word Airsoft Safety Foundation Also here is a site for signing a petition Airsoft Petition Spread the word, doing nothing will help no one.

posted those awhile back, and if you guys wanna do something pick up the phone and call those people I listed, all you have to say is I oppose SB## and they thank you and its over.

[G36 FTW]

I still think this whole business is ridiculous.

Make all replica airsoft guns that cost less than $75 bright colors. Bang! No more kiddie problem.

Or, we could just wake up and realize what the kids were doing was already illegal. Oh well.


On a more serious note, my friend interns as a secretary (takes calls for) our local assemblywoman. He also airsofts and was surprised at how many people were calling in SUPPORT of SB798. Fortunately, she is opposed to it anyway, but it's still worrisome.

[code789]

On a more serious note, my friend interns as a secretary (takes calls for) our local assemblywoman. He also airsofts and was surprised at how many people were calling in SUPPORT of SB798. Fortunately, she is opposed to it anyway, but it's still worrisome.

did the supporters only started calling in lately? it might be the paintballers who don't have strong enough back bones...just saying

[DJ]

For those of you who think this is just a kiddie problem Google "air soft incident" to get a handle on why this was proposed. I was astounded at the number of incidents of negative LE / air soft interactions. I personally have almost shot 2 people who did some stupid moves with air soft guns. Before you get your undies in a wad, no I am not in favor of this SB. Legislation does not cure stupid. I would like to see people who display / brandish air soft guns in a public place charged with disorderly conduct (in Oregon) You cannot imagine the adrenaline charge and then anger when you come close to capping some moron who was "just playing" with an air soft gun.
People if we as a group do not get a handle on this, the sheeple in Salem will pass a very similar bill.

[LettuceHead]

Ironic thread title... everyone here bashes paintball but then are appalled when the paintball lobby doesn't support airsoft ? If this was a bill banning paintball but not airsoft, would you be crying or rejoicing?

[RiotingCows]

Ironic thread title... everyone here bashes paintball but then are appalled when the paintball lobby doesn't support airsoft ? If this was a bill banning paintball but not airsoft, would you be crying or rejoicing?

Its that there for the bill altogether now since there removed from it. They've already gotten themselves taken off of it so why do they have to take it the next step and say make sure it passes.

[code789]

Ironic thread title... everyone here bashes paintball but then are appalled when the paintball lobby doesn't support airsoft ? If this was a bill banning paintball but not airsoft, would you be crying or rejoicing?

wouldn't be bashing them if the link to that fb page was deleting post and creating a bias page.

also if you go onto paintball forms the paintballers keep saying we didnt do anything to stop this bill and we deserve this bill.

i call bs on that! i've been posting, messaging, printing letters,calling people, and emailing senators about this bill ever since it passed first vote back in april, and i was one of the first few people who contacted ASGI about this bill which they made one of the first anti SB798 videos a few days after that.

it was only a few weeks ago that i found out paintballers had joined the fight and of yesterday i find that paintballers are now supporting this bill?

i'll also point out that in previous thread i've posted a link showing the LA Police Commission trying to pass a gun control law along with the bill. this bill aint called an "anti gun bill" for no reason. and all paintballers just want is their precious paintball markers out of this bill totally sickens me.
http://airsoftpacific.com/viewtopic.php?t=36847

and to answer your question yes i would be crying if it was the opposite, my first sport that involved shooting was paintball and i owe some kills to paintball. but i found a better sport called airsoft because the people are friendlier, social and seem more educated further more they dont have 2" welts on the back of their heads

http://www.popularairsoft.com/paintball ... s-disagree

[LettuceHead]

wouldn't be bashing them if the link to that fb page was deleting post and creating a bias page.

Can't comment on that. Feel free to create your own unbiased page.

also if you go onto paintball forms the paintballers keep saying we didnt do anything to stop this bill and we deserve this bill.

Paintball began policing itself 25+ years ago. Paintball is strictly regulated and has gone to the mat several times to defend itself, thus they have an ammo crate full of legal precedent whoop-ass for a variety of cases. The paintball industry has both lawyers, an organization, and a plan when these situations arise. What did airsoft have? Nothing was in place that I could find. Airsoftsafetyfoundation.org should have been in place five years ago; after the fact is a wee too late. It is a step in the right direction if it actually receives support. Sounds like the same growing pains that paintball went through.

i call bs on that! i've been posting, messaging, printing letters,calling people, and emailing senators about this bill ever since it passed first vote back in april, and i was one of the first few people who contacted ASGI about this bill which they made one of the first anti SB798 videos a few days after that.

I applaude your committment. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of letters from voting age members of the constituency to get someone's attention. Online petitions are also pretty pointless. Lawyers and businesses employing members of the constituency are what get a politician's attention. Paintball in California is freakin' huge, employing thousands of voting age workers and injecting multi-millions of dollars into the state's economy. Have the Asian manufacturers and major Hong Kong distributors done anything to help? Money for lawyers, funding for an amendment campaign or lobbyist?

it was only a few weeks ago that i found out paintballers had joined the fight and of yesterday i find that paintballers are now supporting this bill?

The paintball lobby (industry, not necessarily players) is supporting the bill just as they have always supported toy gun bills. The paintball industry has always seperated themselves from toy guns and firearms. That's why they get taken off these things in a matter of weeks. It goes back to that whole in-case-of-legislation-break-glass-to-release-lawyers plan.

i'll also point out that in previous thread i've posted a link showing the LA Police Commission trying to pass a gun control law along with the bill. this bill aint called an "anti gun bill" for no reason. and all paintballers just want is their precious paintball markers out of this bill totally sickens me.
http://airsoftpacific.com/viewtopic.php?t=36847

Again, its the industry lobby that want paintball markers excluded because they are always making sure paintball is in no way connected with firearms. I'm sure plenty of paintballers are against that bill but that is for individuals to decide. It again goes back to the same reasons as above.

and to answer your question yes i would be crying if it was the opposite, my first sport that involved shooting was paintball and i owe some kills to paintball. but i found a better sport called airsoft because the people are friendlier, social and seem more educated further more they dont have 2" welts on the back of their heads.

2" bloody welts from a paintball and a swollen lip and bloodied nose from 6mm BBs are both a badge of honor for me. "Better" is subjective. Paintball and airsoft are like chocolate and vanilla ice cream; you either prefer one or the other. I'm not saying one sport is better than the other. What I'm saying is one industry has been to this rodeo before and knew what to do. Of course they are only going to spend their time, money and energy on what benefits them. Airsoft has to bail out its own boat.

[MitchD]

Quote "Paintball began policing itself 25+ years ago. Paintball is strictly regulated and has gone to the mat several times to defend itself, thus they have an ammo crate full of legal precedent whoop-ass for a variety of cases. The paintball industry has both lawyers, an organization, and a plan when these situations arise. What did airsoft have? Nothing was in place that I could find. Airsoftsafetyfoundation.org should have been in place five years ago; after the fact is a wee too late. It is a step in the right direction if it actually receives support. Sounds like the same growing pains that paintball went through.

i call bs on that!" End Quote

Sorry, but it is not BS. Paintball has been defending itself for years and their guns do not even look like real firearms.

['Skyhawk']

Sorry, but it is not BS. Paintball has been defending itself for years and their guns do not even look like real firearms.

Yes paintball has been regulating itself for years and they have hella lobyist to support their cause.

These look real to me and they are excluded under SB798, a total hypocricy:

[MitchD]

By far, the majority of paintball markers do not looks like Real Firearms. They were making a M16 mag fed version back in the mid 90's that my team got to try out. They had a hard time getting the feed mechanism to function properly. The developers goal was to market them to the military for training. That is probably the nature of those above.

Honestly you can rail about how unfair it is, but that is hardly going to do anything good for airsoft. Airsoft should be taking notes from how paintball has protected its interests over the years and try to emulate that. The biggest hold back to that idea is the simple fact that there is no large group of American manufactures to put up the dollars to do so. Lawyers take money.

['Skyhawk']

By far, the majority of paintball markers do not looks like Real Firearms. They were making a M16 mag fed version back in the mid 90's that my team got to try out. They had a hard time getting the feed mechanism to function properly. The developers goal was to market them to the military for training. That is probably the nature of those above.

Honestly you can rail about how unfair it is, but that is hardly going to do anything good for airsoft. Airsoft should be taking notes from how paintball has protected its interests over the years and try to emulate that. The biggest hold back to that idea is the simple fact that there is no large group of American manufactures to put up the dollars to do so. Lawyers take money.

Don't get me wrong, I am a strong supporter of forming a national self regulatory system for airsoft to protect and legitamize the sport.
Keeping it safe without having to ban guns or paint them outrageous colors.

The afformentioned paintguns are intended for use by the general public in Milsim games, Just like us. That is where the hypocrisy comes in. They are for sale in retail paintball stores. Their "greater than 10mm caliber" keeps them out of the SB.

I am not railing, or sitting around complaining about it. I have taken action in the form of petitions and will be making some calls next week as the hearing draws near. I am commited to doing what I can to preserve the freedom to participate in this most enjoyable sport.

I know it can be difficult to interpret true meanings of people on forums. I do not mean any disrespect, but just want to make sure that people understand that not all paintguns are non-real looking guns painted wild neon colors.

I have nothing against paintball. I got my milsim start in paintball in 1985. I find airsoft more enjoyable so I choose airsoft but I don't hold a grudge against paintballers. We are all shooting sports enthusiasts and should stand united against SB798.

By the same tolken they should not be exempt from regulation against guns that look too real when they have guns that look just as real as ours. That doesn't make sense.

[six finger fillet]

If SB798 does pass, how badly would it hurt the California retailers/producers?

Basically, would relocation be such a major problem that it could kill airsoft off like people were talking about above?

[Matt]

The RAP4 style markers don't look any less like guns from a distance. No cop is going to look at it and say, "Oh wait, that's 10mm, in that case I won't shoot this guy."

[G36 FTW]

On a more serious note, my friend interns as a secretary (takes calls for) our local assemblywoman. He also airsofts and was surprised at how many people were calling in SUPPORT of SB798. Fortunately, she is opposed to it anyway, but it's still worrisome.

did the supporters only started calling in lately? it might be the paintballers who don't have strong enough back bones...just saying

I wish I knew, ironically yesterday was his first day.

However he did say less people called in supporting it today, so it could have easily been paintballers- but that's still only speculation.

EDIT: And I think the reason the RAP4 markers have escaped persecution is that they are so expensive that those who buy them don't screw around with them. Unlike airsoft, where even the cheapest springers are made to look like real guns.