Here are some basic rules that should keep you out of trouble for Airsoft Guns:

• DO NOT use, expose, or show your Airsoft guns on public land or in plain public view.
• DO NOT play Airsoft games on public property such as schools, parks, or playgrounds.
• DO NOT play Airsoft games on private property WITHOUT the owner’s permission.

When transporting your Airsoft be sure that it is completely concealed from public view and not readily identifiable as a weapon. In the event that you are confronted by law enforcement officers comply with all their requests.

Airsoft Safety: It is absolutely vital that everyone participating in Airsoft games take every precaution that they can to be safely protected. Even though Airsoft is far less dangerous then paintball the Airsoft guns still have the potential to do damage to you if you are not careful. To prevent unnecessary bodily harm while playing Airsoft games you should use goggles, long sleeve shirts, and gloves. As the saying goes, "It’s better to be safe then sorry!" In addition to your personal safety remember that the future of Airsoft is in the hands of those playing it right now, and if we aren’t acting responsibly then there will be no future for Airsoft in the years to come. Lord only knows how trigger happy Americas courts are in regards to this sort of thing so please be careful when you play and act like an adult whenever you are using an Airsoft Gun.

Airsoft Eye Protection (Very Important!!!) You should ALWAYS wear eye protection at the very least. It wouldn’t be intelligent to lose the use of one or more of your eyes just to play a game now would it? I didn’t think so. Make sure that you are using high endurance goggles that can withstand the impact of a plastic Airsoft BB at whatever FPS limit you have established. It’s a good idea to test whatever goggles you are planning on using by shooting at them from about 5-10 feet away PRIOR to using them in a Airsoft game. This way you know for sure that they will be strong enough. Masks are even more protective then Goggles and if you don’t mind wearing one then you should do so. There are a wide variety of Paintball masks on the market currently so you shouldn’t have any difficulty in finding one that you like. Considering that paintballs on the average have a more powerful impact then a 6mm plastic Airsoft bb you should be safe using most of them. And finally, NEVER ever remove your eye protection while on the field or still in a game. If you are seen without your eye protection on you will be considered "killed" for purposes of the game and, depending on the hosts, may be asked to leave permanently!

Airsoft Body Protection: Unless you are a glutton for pain you should plan on wearing a long sleeve shirt, full length pants, boots, and gloves when you play Airsoft. Although you wont be seriously hurt by getting hit by an Airsoft BB in these areas (even up close) it’s still smart to cover as much of your skin as possible because taking a hit on bare skin can result in a bleeding injury. Even a long sleeve cotton shirt can greatly reduce the chance of a nasty hit happening. Ideally you’ll want to get a hold of old military fatigues or BDU’s. These are ideal for use in Airsoft games. Because you are usually only revealing your head/weapon/hands to the enemy you are strongly encouraged to wear gloves as well. Padded gloves are the best.

Airsoft safe use of Weapons: Whenever you are in the designated safe zone ALWAYS keep your Airsoft gun’s safety on and it’s barrel plugged if you have access to any plugs. This will prevent accidental discharges of your weapon in areas that people have their masks and protective clothing removed. If you want to test fire your weapon then do so outside of the safe-zone. Failure to comply with this rule may get you banned from a particular plying location.

Airsoft Common Sense: I wish this didn’t have to be said but I know that there is a high caliber of none responsible individuals out there in the world so here goes. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE EVER BRANDISH AN Airsoft WEAPON IN A PUBLIC PLACE! DO NOT EVER ATTEMPT TO USE AN Airsoft WEAPON IN A THREATEN MANNER AS IF IT WERE A "REAL" WEAPON! It’s already clearly stated in the US Law that if you use an Airsoft gun as if it were a real gun then you will be charged and tried as if it were actually a real gun! You have been warned! And finally, DO NOT EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE POINT AN Airsoft GUN AT ANYONE WITHOUT THEIR EXPRESSED CONSENT!

Self Defense for Aggressive Dogs and your Safety: When possible, advise the dog owner of your visit, and ask him to tie any dogs up. If a dog comes, greet him as a long lost friend, and if he responds to you and you are confident, enter the property. Walk in a confident manner, dogs do not smell fear, but they are very good at reading body language such as jerky movements. If a dog appears to be chained up, do not assume that the chain is attached. It may also be longer than it appears, or even break if the dog lunges. Remember that dogs are more aggressive when tied up. Never assume that because a dog’s tail is wagging that he will not bite. It can mean indecision on the dog’s part. If a dog is chasing you, never run unless you can beat the dog to a safe haven. This is a sure way to aggravate an attack.

Self Defense, Are You A Safe Hunter?: How can you cut down on acts of negligence, While there is no absolute solution, following the three golden rules of firearm safety will help. Treat every gun as if it were loaded, Always point the muzzle in a safe direction, Be sure of your target and beyond.

Self Defense, Are You Streetwise?: If someone tries to rob you, do not resist. It is more important to give up your property than your life. Report the crime immediately to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately, as your actions can help to prevent a subsequent crime.

Self Defense Campus Rape, How can you protect yourself? Never walk alone on campus after dark, Always use the "buddy system," especially after dark, Take advantage of the Campus Police/Security escort service, Always wait for your escort to arrive before leaving, Stay alert at all times, Do not take poorly lit paths, Know your campus, and the location of all campus security phones, Keep your doors and windows locked, Do not open your door until you know who is there, Discuss your schedule with your parents and a few close friends, they should be able to locate you at all times, Follow the campus rules for safety, Never leave safety to chance!

Self Defense, Hate Crimes: Congress defines hate crime as "a crime in which the defendant intentionally selects a victim or in the case of a property crime, the property that is the object of the crime, because of the actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation of any person". Here are a few tips to keep you from becoming a victim of a hate crime: Stay alert to your surroundings, know who is in front of you and who is behind you at all times, Do not walk alone, especially if you are upset or intoxicated, Be aware of who gets off of the bus or subway with you, Choose busy, well-lit streets, Walk near the curb, avoiding construction sites and parks after dark, If you feel threatened, cross the street, change direction, or run to a safe place, Always carry enough money for bus fare, a cab, or a phone call, Do not wear headphones when walking or cycling, Always have your keys in hand when reaching your vehicle or home, Conceal your money and jewelry, Carry a whistle, "screamer", or personal safety alarm, or shout to attract attention, Harassment is often a prelude to assault. Be prepared for the consequences, if you should choose to respond.

Self Defense, Dealing with Harassing Telephone Calls: You can reduce your risk of being victimized by harassing phone calls by refusing to talk to strangers on the phone. Also, be careful when the caller says he/she is taking a survey. If you have doubts about the person’s identity, ask for the person’s name, and number, and say you will call back after you verify the authenticity of the survey, Do not stay on the phone after you have determined it is an improper call. While you are on, listen for background noises, or noticeable speech patterns or the voice of the caller, but do not stay on the phone just to try to figure out the identity of the caller, Avoid listing your name on your answering machine greeting, Use caution when placing a newspaper ad, try to avoid placing your address in the ad, Caller ID units and answering machines can be used to "screen" telephone calls. Not all calls will be indicated on a Caller ID. If you receive a harassing phone call: Hang up as soon as you determine that you’ve received an improper call. Hang up calmly; resist the temptation to slam the phone down on the receiver, Listen for background noises or details in the caller’s voice, but do not stay on the phone just to do this, Keep a pad of paper near the phone to write down the day, date, time, and nature of the call, You may report these types of calls to your local police agency, Most telephone companies have a nuisance or threatening phone call bureau that you can contact for guidance, Have a supply of extra cassette tapes for your answering machine, so you can retain the tape of an improper call.

Self Defense, Safe Shopping: When shopping, stay alert to your surroundings. Be extra careful in regards to your wallet and purse- they are prime targets for criminals. A purse left on top of a shopping cart or in a baby stroller is an easy target, If your wallet or purse is lost or stolen, contact the credit card companies immediately. Perpetrators of retail fraud are able to duplicate your identity in a matter of minutes, Pay for purchases with credit cards as often as possible, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash, Do not put your credit card number on checks. By law, you are not required to do this, Avoid overloading yourself with packages; it is important that you have a clear field of vision, and complete freedom of motion, Park in well-lit areas, away from vans, trucks with camper shells, and cars with tinted windows, Remember where you parked your vehicle. Make a mental note of both the number/letter combinations designating where you parked and the entrance that you used, The majority of people in a parking lot are moving either towards or away from the shopping area. Anyone standing still or walking parallel to the shopping area should be considered suspicious, If you feel uneasy about anyone near your vehicle, ask for an escort before leaving the mall, Never leave packages, cellular phones, laptop computers, or any other valuable objects on the seat of your vehicle where they are in full view of potential criminals. Lock them in the trunk.

Self Defense Tips: Do as much as you can to avoid a confrontation – "anticipation and avoidance" are the key words. If you get caught up in a situation, try to talk to an aggressor without provoking them. Practice relaxation, as appearing fearful or stressed can actually provoke an attack. Remember that body language is important in aggressive situations, so maintain a comfortable distance between you and the aggressor.

Use Pepper Spray or a Personal Alarm, as these give out a short piercing sound and will temporarily disorientate an attacker, giving you enough time to escape. Carry your personal alarm somewhere where you can get to it quickly – don’t leave it buried at the bottom of your bag. If you don’t have a Personal Alarm, just make a noise yourself by screaming as load as you can, or shouting "call the police" – if you’re load enough this can be just as effective as a Personal Alarm. If you have a Personal Alarm, use it and shout as well.

Steady yourself if danger threatens. Panic can disable you, so again its useful to learn how to keep control in a difficult situation. To learn more about self control in situations like this check out our book "Walking The Tiger Within". If you must fight back, adopt what police term the "bash and dash" approach. Primary targets are the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, throat, groin, knees or shins; choose whichever is easiest to get to.

If held from behind don’t struggle forward, you’ll only exhaust yourself. Instead throw yourself backwards to surprise your attacker or stomp on the lower leg or foot.

You have the right to defend with reasonable force and this includes using items you have with you such as an umbrella, bag, briefcase or keys. However don’t carry or use anything that the law would regard as an offensive weapon. Stun Guns, Pepper Spray and Air Tasers are legal in most states, you may want to carry these types of weapons to help protect yourself in a dangerous situation.

These are just the very basics of self defense, but to learn more about it and get some exercise at the same time, find a local self defense class and encourage your family along to join you. Just remember "anticipation and avoidance" are the best forms of defense.