Should Airsoft guns be banned?

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Any sport to do with shooting these days is becoming more popular by the day. Unfortunately the word “GUN” makes a lot of people jump, agitated and angry. But this is before they actually know what the sport is about and especially to do with Airsoft games. The Airsoft guns being used are harmless providing safety rules are observed. Airsoft shooting is probably one of the safest and most popular sports enjoyed in the world today. But, still there are some people that think they should be banned. So before you agree or disagree you always should do some background research.

Airsoft Guns were initially designed in Japan because the real firearms were illegal. Early in the 1990s, the Springer kits, which are kits to make custom Airsoft gun, became available in the hobby stores. Also in the 1990s, Japan developed gas powered Airsoft guns, which slowly replaced the cheaper plastic Automatic Electric Guns (AEGs).

There are many ways in which the games of Airsoft and paintball are rather similar. However, the games really are not the same thing. But do the same people that would like to ban the Airsoft gun also want to ban the paintball gun?

I believe the most important disapproval from the people against the Airsoft gun is that they are to real looking. This is also their trade mark. If someone would walk into a grocery store with an Airsoft Gun and use it to rob the store the Clerk behind the counter will not know the difference. Would he be smart he would give the money but if he panics he might pick up the gun behind the counter and out of self defense shoot.

To look at it technically: The robber could have never harmed the Clerk with this Airsoft Gun because of its 6 millimeter plastic Bbs, but still he did not come in to the store and shout “ok listen this is a robbery but this gun is not a real gun. Now give me your money”. Thus the Airsoft gun isn’t harmful on its own but can become together with its user/owner. In our federal law it states: if someone were to attempt a robbery with an Airsoft gun, they would be charged as if the Airsoft gun were a real firearm.

The federal law also states: Airsoft guns are not classified as firearms and are legal under federal law, as well as the laws in each state. However, in some major cities and population centers the definition of a firearm within their respected ordinances includes propulsion by spring or compressed air, thus subject to applicable laws.

A few different states like Michigan allow the purchase of Airsoft guns. However, they must have an orange tip on the barrel. New York City requires that all realistic toy or imitation firearm be made of clear or brightly colored plastics. Some require specific restrictions such as maximum muzzle energy, rules against using the trademarks of real firearms and these are all understanding and necessary.

Still you think they should be banned? Ok fair enough but then should a car also be banned? This object, in the USA only, still kills over 115 people each day. But because each person in the United states needs their car for work, school, groceries, shopping, sports and because the oil industry is so important in our economy no one will ever even dream about banning the car even though its one of the most dangerous weapons in our society.

Also, would you rather have your daughter or your wife walk outside at night without any self defense, with a real firearm or with an Airsoft Gun? These days it is very unfortunate that we have to carry self defense products with us and we definitely initially would rather not, but like any one who has ever been in a situation like this knows it’s becoming more and more mandatory each and every day.

And to be fair, with all these rules and regulations to make it safe for society and the fact that Airsoft Guns started of as hobby and was never intended to be used as a “real” weapon it’s still is most commonly used in the sports world and that is where they should stay.

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