Shocked Appaled and Sadden (KWA shot show attitude)

[MarksInnerDemon]

Ok let me start by saying I like KWA a great deal. Great guns, finally got them licensed and add to that a great gas system. I fully intend to sit down and have a chat with my friend when I get a chance, but needless to say the owner of the only manager co-owner of the only Airsoft Field in Kuwait likes real guns and airsoft. What is not to like right? He also enjoys his time over in the US, and like most people in Kuwait thinks of America as a great place with great people. Generally I agree with some bad apples like all places. I will probably update this, organize this for clarity and fix any errors I have. I am at work on the good old GOV computer burning some time before breakfast so bare with me.

My friend Rami went over expecting the standard BS. Seriously if you look at the US when we get attacked we hate the attackers, and I have NO issue with that. Sometimes we hate to much and in the wrong directions, such as the American born Japanese, and while I don’t feel it wasn’t warranted we have had are really dumb actions like that. Then again I can’t find any country including most in the Middle East that haven’t done this once in a while. Saying that we all know what you are going to get going to shot show with a Kuwaiti flag, regardless that good American soldiers, Sailors, Airman, and Marines laid there life down for that country. Hell I had a guy in my unit that was in Vietnam and every war up through a good chunk of this one. Now I know some of the readers are going to jump on the I hate all Muslim route, which fine be a bigot who knows nothing you can go hang out with the Anti-Jewish groups, Black Panthers, and White Supremacists. However my experience in Kuwait (which has been vastly different then Iraq and Kuwait) has been nothing but pleasant, and although I doubt I am going to attract any friends that hate the US I rarely don’t get along with most people here. Something has to be said when a 14 year old kid comes up and says, “Are you American?” The teacher wanted them to learn English and talk to any English speaking people as much as he can. The kid loves the US and probably knew more about democracy (I did international relations and Poli-Sci in college) better than most high school students. If I haven’t impressed on you the good spirits and friendly all be it very odd and terrifyingly dangerous driving of this country I could go on. However back to my friend…..

Rami was in the process of looking for deals, business arrangements, and frankly to enjoy the US and its many real guns while at shot show. Like I said the BS which is understandable with a war and people not knowing the difference between Shi’a, Sunni, much less different countries is going to be standard. He talked to the head of Operation Lion Claws, and was impressed with how nice, and supportive the CEO of the best milsim (arguably at least) events in the world was. Even though I was coming to an event regardless he now wants to get as many Kuwaiti’s over to one of the off base events, and is trying for sponsorships and so we can get loaner/purchase guns, tickets etc. Hell most people were pretty decent, and even some of the places like the real steel distributors, and gear magnates. Well along comes his pre-planned appointment with KWA probably one of my favorite GBB companies, and I believe one that Rami preferred. He got to his appointment on time and Eric (I believe) was busy so Rami was asked to talk to someone else. Not a problem with Rami who really quite understands about delays switches and times due to the Kuwaiti schedule of 45 minutes late is ok. Besides it is just the nature of business regardless. I don’t know who he talked to but I think it was a Asian American (I’ll confirm this later) and they sat down and Rami was asked a lot of very odd questions. The questions grew odder and odder, but pause for a second and anyone just look up “Milsim Kuwait” or “Airsoft Kuwait” you should find their webpage, and remember this. The big comment that floored Rami and hearing the retelling was the statement from KWA’s own company people… and I will paraphrase….We just want to know what you want the airsoft guns for, because we don’t want them used for any bad purposes. Hold that though because on the surface to some it might look like a ok question, but you just searched for Airsoft Kuwait and Milsim and probably found the site, hell you might have even found Rami’s name on the site.

Let us reminisce on all the BS airsoft has gone through in the last year…. Kids with guns at school, people robbing people with airsoft guns, and all the legal damn issues that go with it. Not to mention I bet pennies to dollars that while legit LE, military, and good civilians use airsoft for training, criminals have done the same thing. We can’t discount the possibility of extremists (lets go with left wing socialist extremist movements that have been ignored lately) who think a violent revolt in the US will outs the bourgeoisie and bring in the proletariat (see some of the fringe 99% protestors garnering support for communism). Frankly I bet not one guy was checked who was from America, Canada, Britian (who are full of British born Muslims that are probably more radical then nearly all of Kuwait), and hell even south Americans who might be working for drug bosses looking for better training ideas both Real Steel and Airsoft.

So you can say this is a overreaction on my part, and Rami didn’t seem to care other then KWA isn’t getting his business as I can clearly quote, “I don’t want to deal with a bunch of assholes.” However frankly if you aren’t holding up the ideals of freedom of speech, religion, and against bigotry based on skin color you shouldn’t be around the firearm (or related to) business, and if you are do what many politicians, business moguls, etc did for decades. Shut your stupid mouth, pretend like everything is pretty and go home and gripe to your bigot, hypocritical, commie approved, white hate wearing friends about the (fill in this blank) who talked to you, and how he must be getting ready to blow up the world because they are all just so evil. We have enough problems with idiots, criminals, and backwater retards smearing honest, upright, and constitution upholding Americans and making us look bad in the media.

Wouldn’t have it been 10 times easier to talk to Rami, make up a excuse like “With the introduction of the new Kriss, etc we just don’t feel like exporting to your country is going to be a good decision at this time, but we appreciate your interest and if things change we will look back into it.” I typed that out just now…. and I didn’t even think to hard…….
WE you now are probably going to get my GBB business.

[renotheturk02]

so.....basically your friend wanted to import KWA guns and they said they didn't want to because they didn't know what it would be used for?

[MarksInnerDemon]

so.....basically your friend wanted to import KWA guns and they said they didn't want to because they didn't know what it would be used for?

He was looking at options yes, and KWA asked more then the one question I couldn't highlight, but basically they were asking if he was terrorist. Granted I don't trust TSA because they think grandma is a trained assasin with her medication, but he a possible terrorist can fly with no issue to shot show (which he had to put down on his vistor visa if you haven't traveled internationally). Seriously with all the people doing bad things happening with Americans and airsoft guns he gets asked.

We just want to know what you want the airsoft guns for, because we don’t want them used for any bad purposes.

Might as well ask every American, "Are you going to sell any of these to any felons who may rob people with them?" The guy spent all that money and time to fly over to the US, and he has gone to lots of Tiawan, Chinese, and Japanese company facotories (yes the chinese ones were filthy and poorly run), but hes coming over to the US tio import guns for terrorist training even though most of asia would be easier.

[CommieHunter]

It may be the US government that prompts questions like that. They theoretically could be liable if something were to happen with their products, not to mention a PR nightmare for them. It could literally be a super-tiny fraction of a chance, but they vet all their vendors in the US very heavily as well. I certainly think it sounds like less of a big deal than you feel like it is, but it may not be their fault, it may be their desire to avoid a big government investigation that may or may not be justified that prompts them to ask questions that they may not want to.

[MarksInnerDemon]

That might be true, but he wasn't just involved with airsoft he is looking for real steel posiblities to promote for the Kuwait military. The M16A2 is ageing here, and every has a good idea that they are going to be transitioning.

However Spartan imports and others he also talked to to name just one, and none of the others didnt do this. Add to that KWA wasn't there first group... Frankly I think its more of a hey, "Mr. Black Man you aren't gonna rob and rape in this town are ya."

Maybe I am just tired of the BS politically correct crew being idiotic, as much as I am tired of the BS closet racist complaining about people they have never been around.

Frankly the freedom of the US is what makes us special, the freedom of speech, and freaking Religion. Frankly I wouldn't have near the issue with Muslims if they would just allow me to eat my damn bacon (which has turned into a running joke here).

I don't know but CommieHunter I think you are making far to many excuses for them, and frankly I like KWA, and own there pistols. Frankly I am debating about writing them either email, or snail mail and see what there response is......

This seemed and I will get further info, but it was relayed to me KINDA like this.

So what do you do? (airsoft fieldm, paintball, have police in kuwait training and plaing, working to get military invovled in using airsoft for training here)
What do you think you will do with them?
etc.

I don't want to speculate, but if it doesn't make you hesistate a bit, considering he got knocked off the head guy for a secondary guy (maybe for legit reasons still fishy after the questions in hind sight).

[shogun]

good luck with the WE pistols

[MarksInnerDemon]

good luck with the WE pistols

I haven't had any issue with the newer ones, have you?

[icebullet]

good luck with the WE pistols

I haven't had any issue with the newer ones, have you?

You could say they are "hit-and-miss" product. They may be cheap, but in the long run WE pistols kinda suck.

But from what some people say, they are the best damn things on the planet.

[MarksInnerDemon]

I have had more issues with KWA (bad safety) but overall a good gun. I really hope there is a good explination instead of out right bigotry, because frankly it just didn't sound good.

[dos_Santos]

Sorry you had a bad go of it...lost in translation may be a culprit too. Been there done that when I used to live in S. America.

[Hutch]

good luck with the WE pistols

I haven't had any issue with the newer ones, have you?

You could say they are "hit-and-miss" product. They may be cheap, but in the long run WE pistols kinda suck.

But from what some people say, they are the best damn things on the planet.

I have had 4 KWA pistols, and one WE pistol.
I have to admit that KWA preforms better, and WEs are cheap and crap. But I have had my WE longer than any pistol out there, and I've only needed to get work done on it twice. But I'm looking to buying a new KWA in April
WE may suck, but for the price, they are pure win. It's like the difference between a Dodge RAM and a Cadillac.

[MarksInnerDemon]

Sorry you had a bad go of it...lost in translation may be a culprit too. Been there done that when I used to live in S. America.

It might be, but Rami speaks english better then most of my shooting buddies in South Carolina.... Like I said I kind of hope so and I am debating a course email.

[Matt]

Some manufacturers are reluctant to give Airsoft guns to some foreigners because they are afraid those people have plans to replicate or produce knock-offs of said products. Not saying this was the case, but I have seen that before. That's why there's rules about no photography and video at the Shot Show unless you are registered media.

As for not having his original interview with the person he scheduled - this happens all the time. The show is extremely busy. We had a few confirmed appointments that were forgotten or double booked, even by companies we met with last year who knew we were coming. It's the nature of the beast.

[Icepick]

It's the nature of the beast.

This basically applies to everything that happened here. I'm sure Rami is a good guy, but it's not like KWA is going to just send guns out to somebody who they have suspicions about. People here just have a different viewpoint now of Middle Easterns or anybody of Middle Eastern descent. America may be the land of the free, but it's also the land of the 'Merican Freedom Fightin' Sum Bitches of the U.S.A. (M.F.F.S.B.U.S.A. for short.) People just can't look beyond the fact that Rami isn't a terrorist. Think of it from the KWA standpoint, somebody in Kuwait is interested in buying a bulk amount of their replicas. Cool right? Yeah, but they figure that they ought to ask a few questions before they hand over very realistic replicas that could be used for god-knows-what.


It sucks that your friend had to have a few questions asked, but really? It's a a few questions, I'm sure a longer talk with KWA would easily clear any issues between the two. Like Matt said, it's the nature of the beast. The U.S. takes a hit from the Middle East, and then the whole public shits stones and freaks out. It's pretty clear what's happening in today's world, I feel for you guys but at the same time, KWA being skeptical would be kind of expected...

[Payback]

I think you looking at this wrong. It's like saying that if you don't like Obama your a racist. Really a drastic over dramatization of the issue. There may be several issues the manufacturer has had that they don't feel the need to fill you in on. Legal issues, copy right stuff.

Saying they are bigots just because they wont ship guns to Kuwait is over the top.