| its inception in the early 1980's, the sport of airsoft | | | | always be a debate for this issue. Regarding general |
| has boomed with popularity in all age brackets. It has | | | | airsoft safety, like anything that shoots at a high |
| been adopted by children as the new form of action | | | | velocity, it is imperative to ALWAYS wear proper |
| entertainment as well as military and law | | | | safety equipment (eye protection and body |
| enforcement agencies, to help with real world, | | | | protection). Parents who allow their children to play |
| non-lethal simulation exercises. But when the words | | | | airsoft really need to enforce this rule, NO |
| airsoft and children are used in the same sentence, | | | | exceptions! To date, there are no reported deaths |
| you can almost always count on a long debate | | | | related to airsoft for either children or adults in the |
| between parents on whether or not children should | | | | U.S. However, there are reports of eye damage as a |
| be allowed to participate in the sport of airsoft. So | | | | result of players electing to NOT wear masks or |
| what is all the debating about? I guess before diving | | | | protective eye gear. These instances are rare but |
| into the politics of airsoft, it is important to explain | | | | can be avoided entirely with proper education on |
| the definition of Airsoft, the different gun types, and | | | | airsoft equipment operation. |
| the laws that our great country have imposed on the | | | | Another safety concern regarding airsoft is location. |
| sport. So what is airsoft? Airsoft is a tactical game | | | | It is important for all airsoft play to take place in |
| where players eliminate their opponents by shooting | | | | non-public areas, or areas specifically designated for |
| tiny, plastic 6mm bb's (usually weighing between .12 - | | | | airsoft play. It is extremely hard to distinguish |
| .20g), launched from airsoft guns. The sport | | | | between certain airsoft guns and a real firearm, so to |
| originated in Japan when the ownership of guns was | | | | avoid any confrontation between a frightened civilian |
| illegal. The people of Japan, who are know to be | | | | or law enforcement agents, this precaution should |
| great hobbyists, created detailed metal replicas of | | | | always be observed. Also, never allow your child to |
| real guns that fired non-lethal plastic pellets (also | | | | take their airsoft gun to school. This could lead to |
| referred to as bb's). These replicas became common | | | | suspension or in some cases, expulsion (remember |
| in the Japanese marketplace and various companies | | | | that airsoft guns are legally considered firearms). |
| started developing and distributing air soft guns to | | | | Finally, always transport your airsoft guns in a sealed |
| other countries in Europe and Asia. Eventually, airsoft | | | | duffle bag and/or in the trunk of your vehicle. It is |
| guns emerged in the United States and the sport has | | | | my opinion that airsoft guns are safe for children to |
| become extremely popular. | | | | operate ONLY under parental supervision. It is |
| As an airsoft player, you have 3 different options | | | | ultimately the parents responsibility to educate their |
| when choosing an airsoft gun that's right for you. | | | | children on how airsoft should be played, what |
| The three types are: spring powered, electric | | | | precautions they should take, and where they will |
| powered and gas powered. When buying airsoft | | | | allow their children to play airsoft. |
| guns, the price can vary based on the quality and | | | | Also, my opinion is based on the gun velocity rate. I |
| type. Prices can range from $10 for the lowest | | | | don't believe that children under the age of 16 have |
| quality to over $1,000 for the highest quality. It is | | | | the sense to operate a gun that shoots (even a |
| recommended for new players to begin with a low | | | | plastic bb) over 350 ft/sec. Young children under the |
| priced air soft gun so they can get a feel for what | | | | age of 16 should start with low powered spring |
| type of gun best suits their style of play. Typically, | | | | airsoft guns that usually range in velocity between |
| spring loaded airsoft guns are in the lower price | | | | 200-300 ft/sec. This will allow them to learn the basic |
| range, followed by gas and AEG's (automatic electric | | | | safety skills of airsoft with very low risk. This does |
| guns). In terms of airsoft gun velocity, it is measured | | | | NOT mean that protective eye gear should not be |
| in feet per second (ft/sec.), and ranges between 200 | | | | worn. Remember, eye protection is a non-negotiable |
| - 500 ft/sec. | | | | when it comes to the sport of airsoft. Also, buying |
| The law states (in the U.S.) that an airsoft gun is | | | | lower velocity spring guns are a much cheaper |
| considered a firearm and can only be purchased by | | | | investment for the parents. Lastly, you should never |
| adults over 18 years old. Also, there are certain state | | | | keep a loaded airsoft gun when your gun is not in |
| restrictions on the ownership of airsoft guns. For | | | | use. If your child is taking a break for lunch or a juice |
| example, New York has ruled that owning an airsoft | | | | box, always advise him/her to eject the guns |
| gun is illegal because they resemble real firearms that | | | | magazine or unload the guns bb's. Also, it is a good |
| are difficult for law enforcement agents to distinguish | | | | habit to leave the safety on when your gun is not in |
| between. That being said, lets get back to the core | | | | use - even if it is not loaded. These basic safety rules |
| question of, "Is it safe for my children"? This is | | | | and precautions should help provide your child with a |
| where it gets a bit tricky and why there will probably | | | | safe airsoft experience. |