*Note: Picture is not my own and is the property of its owner
A number of you have messaged me wanting my take on CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL 798. Several other notable California Airsoft Youtubers have begun to make public statements regarding the matter.
For those of you who live outside of the United States or the State of California for that matter there is a bill that may pass regarding of how Airsoft weapon's should be treated.
This bill, if passed, would prohibit "the sale, manufacture, transportation, receipt, or distribution of imitation firearms for commercial purposes" unless "the entire exterior surface of the device is white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, or bright purple, either singly or as the predominant color in combination with other colors in any pattern, as provided by federal regulations governing imitation firearms, or where the entire device is constructed of transparent or translucent materials which permits unmistakable observation of the device's complete contents, as provided by federal regulations governing imitation firearms." (Vaughan 2011)
This was brought about after an incident in Southern California where an LEO shot and wounded an individual who presented their Airsoft weapon.
My Thoughts
Through comments on Youtube and on the web I know that there are places around the world that have similar restrictions regarding Airsoft weapons. This bill may put a serious damper into the airsoft community if it passes other states may use it as precedence. Meaning other states may follow in California steps and institute similar if not the same restrictions.
California and the west coast is well known for its number of world class retail outlets and a number of sanctioned airsoft fields. Many travel from afar to play this sport because in my opinion California has some of the best venue's around. I want people to enjoy this sport no matter where in the world they are. While my passion for the sport wont die as a result of this it would make me playing this sport very difficult.
Its important to note that we dont put blame on the law enforcement office involved, the individual involved or even Senator De Leon. My belief is that we stop pointing fingers and become pro-active instead of re-active.
Why wait for something like this to re-act to. We as a community must continue to work hard at making this sport safer by practicing and using extreme caution. This sport is fun and accidents do happen it is OUR JOB AS A COMMUNITY to minimize those incidents. Lets make sure that we let NEW and VETERAN players know what good looks like.
This game was built solely on the game of honor and respect for others. It has since been expanded as a valuable training tool for those that serve and protect our country. Let us, the player, be the ones to continue to practice and play this sport in a safe manner.
Its important to note that we dont put blame on the law enforcement office involved, the individual involved or even Senator De Leon. My belief is that we stop pointing fingers and become pro-active instead of re-active.
Why wait for something like this to re-act to. We as a community must continue to work hard at making this sport safer by practicing and using extreme caution. This sport is fun and accidents do happen it is OUR JOB AS A COMMUNITY to minimize those incidents. Lets make sure that we let NEW and VETERAN players know what good looks like.
This game was built solely on the game of honor and respect for others. It has since been expanded as a valuable training tool for those that serve and protect our country. Let us, the player, be the ones to continue to practice and play this sport in a safe manner.
What can YOU do?
I ask that you take the time to educate yourself with the proposed bill. Below are a selection of links that I have compiled on the bill. Click through them and read up on what exactly SB798 says. Just dont sit back or pray the bill doesn't pass be proactive and let De Leon or your local representative know your feelings on the matter (keep it respectful).
Continue to practice safe airsoft by keeping it out of sight from the general public. We (as an airsoft community) should always keep safety in mind and treat our replica's as actual firearms. That means always use extreme caution, wear the right protective gear, transport your weapons in a safe matter, etc. Let's not give Senators another reason to propose such a bill
Other Airsofters opposing the bill:
Dr. Airsoft (Mark Vaughan, M.D.) - Airsoft Medicine
Thumpy - Thumpy 3D House of Airsoft
Tank & Zero - Merc's Airsoft
L.A. Times "BB-Gun bill advances in reaction to LAPD shooting"
L.A. Times "LAPD Office wound youth wielding pellet gun"
Posts
2 comments:
This idea with colour may seem like a simple way to reduce mistakes, however it seems to me it won't do the trick. It may however make it easier for carriers of illegal firearms to get away by "brightly colouring" their weapon. Either way -all- firearms should be treated with the same respect, the police officers should know that. The bill should instead restrict the permitted age for airsoft players/owners of AS weapons. As it is now the bill is, sorry to say, misguided and slightly stupid, at least "brightly coloured".
So from deduction... if criminals paint their guns purple or yellow with duracoat, they wont get shot at by cops?
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