| The collecting and use of airsoft guns is | | | | The pellet hit me in the upper body through a |
| becoming a more popular hobby each and every | | | | t-shirt but still left a large bruise and it |
| day. These guns offer a high speed extreme | | | | really, really hurt when it hit me. If that |
| hobby that's enjoyed by thousands of people | | | | same bb had hit me in the eye there's a |
| all over the world - with more getting hooked | | | | strong chance it would have blinded me. The |
| all the time. You can take part in backyard | | | | lack of care and protection in this situation |
| target shooting (also known as plinking) | | | | could have cost me part of my eyesight. |
| using old tin cans or even custom made | | | | |
| airsoft targets. You're not just limited to | | | | Airsoft guns are classed as toys but the |
| firing airsoft plastic bbs however. Your | | | | speed they fire bbs at puts them in the |
| airsoft gun can also be filled with airsoft | | | | category of toys requiring supervision and |
| paintball pellets so you can take paintball | | | | caution. Even if you're firing your airsoft |
| to the next level - going full auto with | | | | gun indoors you still need to take proper |
| replica assault rifles and handguns. | | | | precautions and wear protective glasses. BBs |
| | | | can ricochet around a room very quickly and |
| One note of warning - never get involved in | | | | you'll never see them coming back at you |
| any type of airsoft wargame unless you're | | | | until it's too late. |
| wearing proper eye protection. This is true | | | | |
| of paintball and equally true of airsoft. | | | | Does wearing safety glasses or a protective |
| | | | mask take away from the freedom people see in |
| An airsoft gun fires a plastic bb at speeds | | | | airsoft as a hobby? Some people feel it does. |
| of anywhere from 180 feet per second to well | | | | If you look at it another way by wearing |
| over 300 feet per second. The actual speed | | | | proper protective eyewear you can engage in |
| will depend on the type of firing system your | | | | the most intense airsoft battles imaginable |
| gun has; with gas and spring generally being | | | | without having to worry about any serious |
| the most powerful. Being hit by one of these | | | | injury. |
| bbs on exposed skin at these speeds | | | | |
| definitely hurts and at close enough range | | | | So how much does protecting your eyesight |
| can be powerful enough to leave quite a nasty | | | | cost? From as little as $10 you can make sure |
| bruise. I've been shot with a gas powered | | | | you can enjoy airsoft to the full. Surely |
| Desert Eagle from a range of about 25 feet. | | | | your eyesight is worth $10? Right? |