Airsoft guns? the good the bad and the ugly

[java]

Tell me what you know. This would be for my soon to be 15 year old. I have told him in the past that I don't think it's a good idea. I still don't think it is but I am willing to hear more about it now that he's 15. So any first hand experience?

 

[Kies99]

Spring, gas or electric?

Modern vs. historical?

Handgun, semi-auto or full auto?

Regardless, there are two things he needs to know and keep in mind at all times. First, these look like real weapons and have been mistaken for real weapons in the past (by the general public as well as LEO's). Second, these can inflict damage/pain so you need to be careful.

You should also check the local ordinances and see if there are any that apply to these.

And don't let him take it to school or onto school grounds.

 

[okeydokey]

I personally hate them. Of course it's probably because my 12 year old niece and nephew have them and shoot them at each other and all over the inside of the house. That's typical of their lifestyle, but still I think they are dangerous if not used properly.

 

[GeorgeG]

Spring, gas or electric?

Modern vs. historical?

Handgun, semi-auto or full auto?

Regardless, there are two things he needs to know and keep in mind at all times. First, these look like real weapons and have been mistaken for real weapons in the past (by the general public as well as LEO's). Second, these can inflict damage/pain so you need to be careful.

You should also check the local ordinances and see if there are any that apply to these.

And don't let him take it to school or onto school grounds.

Excellent advice. They are not toys.

 

[Pigeon]

I hate them, too. We have some charming children in the neighborhood who use them to kill songbirds.

 

[jackemail]

I was totally opposed to my daughter allowing my 13-year grandson to have one. However, he is restricted to using it in the backyard and only when his sisters are not out there. He has used it responsibly thus far (6 months now), shooting only at the fence and targets. IF there are rules and the rules are followed by responsible kids, I see no problem. He has enjoyed the gun a lot---and his Mom would definitely take it away if he didn't follow the rules.

The worse part was the first day he got the gun....he somehow managed to shoot many holes in the window shade in his bedroom (which his mother made him pay to replace). Now he has the "hang" of the safety thingy on the gun.

 

[LisaR]

The only way they are mistaken for a real gun is if someone pulls off or paints the bright orange cap that clearly distinguishes it from a real gun.

 

[dcentity2000]

I think they rule and can take up your whole life as a hobby! I myself have an array of guns, electric and gas.

However, I would be the first to urge caution. They are classified as Realistic Imitation Firearms and can VERY EASILY be mistaken for real firearms, which sounds cool but can be very dodgy. On top of that, messing around without eye protection etc. is just asking for trouble.



Rich::

 

[claudia]

When my son was that age, he and his friend wanted the guns. The parents got together and discussed rules and safety. Both boys had to wear goggles and face protection and only shoot at the targets. Fortunately for the boys they listened and obeyed and "played" all the time together for a couple of years. Now if there had been issues of them misusing them they would have been taken away immediately....

 

[dcentity2000]

I hate them, too. We have some charming children in the neighborhood who use them to kill songbirds.

That just makes me feel sick



Rich::

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I can't imagine what kind of parents let their kids shoot at each other with these things without supervision and full body protection. Oh wait, I can. I lived across the street from ones who let their budding juvenile delinquent shoot my DS6(at the time) with one in the chest. He was wearing a heavy sweatshirt and it still left a mark and a lot of tears. The thought of children shooting each other or animals with any kind of weapon sickens me.

 

[CathrynRose]

I hate them, too. We have some charming children in the neighborhood who use them to kill songbirds.

Airsoft guns don't have enough 'oomph' to kill a bird - or any animal. Are you sure they're not using BB's?

Airsoft gun's - a lot of the talk here, I'm wondering if the poster's are talking about BB's.

My son had one (he just asked about it this afternoon - I have no clue where that thing is ) and played with his friends, with it (they all had them)

I was worried about them - my son was about your son's age when he got it. So, I told him to shoot me with it. It stung - like if someone popped a rubber band at you - but it didn't *hurt*. It was more like 'ouch!' that went away instantly - not OWWWWWUCH! leaving any sort of mark.

Most of the one's they make now, are very obviously not real guns. Heck - one of the boys had a hot pink one.

With rules - I don't think it's a big deal, but that's just MHO.

 

[CathrynRose]

Oh - a couple of the boys had sunglasses - like those cheesy wrap around looking ones, and a couple of the boys had goggley things.

Eyeballs would be the only injury I'd worry about. Like I said, unless you hold that thing to your skin, the "OWW" factor is very very small with them (at least the plastic pellets)

 

[raysnkaysmom]

*IF* I have to say something good (?) - It's entertaining for the kids for hours

Bad - They are shooting at each other!!!

Ugly - The welts and marks and tears from the pellets

 

[GeorgeG]

As with just about anything, these guns are not all created equal. They may not hurt, depending on where you get hit and from how far, especially if you are expecting it. With proper supervision, these guns can be used to teach safe and proper gun handling. Some look exactly like their real counterparts and some do not. Many kids will want to make theirs' look like the real thing. A police officer responding to a "gun" call may or may not be able to tell and a stupid kid not knowing how to act could get killed.

I agree with supervising their use in a safe environment. I do not agree with just handing them to a kid to "go out and play." When I was 13 all my friends were getting pellet guns and I wanted one, too. My father got me a .22 rifle instead. The first thing he showed me was the warning on the box of bullets stating they had a range of one mile. Then I was taught how to use and care for it and it only came out of the cabinet under his or my uncle's supervision.

 

[dcentity2000]

Airsoft guns don't have enough 'oomph' to kill a bird - or any animal. Are you sure they're not using BB's?

Airsoft gun's - a lot of the talk here, I'm wondering if the poster's are talking about BB's.

My son had one (he just asked about it this afternoon - I have no clue where that thing is ) and played with his friends, with it (they all had them)

I was worried about them - my son was about your son's age when he got it. So, I told him to shoot me with it. It stung - like if someone popped a rubber band at you - but it didn't *hurt*. It was more like 'ouch!' that went away instantly - not OWWWWWUCH! leaving any sort of mark.

Most of the one's they make now, are very obviously not real guns. Heck - one of the boys had a hot pink one.

With rules - I don't think it's a big deal, but that's just MHO.

Airsoft guns are basically realistic imitation firearms that fire ball bearings.

You can read more about them here:

http://arniesairsoft.co.uk/

Here in the UK, we have proliferation laws - before you can buy an airsoft weapon, be in spring or gas, blah blah blah, you need to obtain a licence, which you achieve by skirmishing and therefore renting an airsoft gun a number of times in a month. You can't just up and buy one - you need to demonstrate you are competent and clued up. Not perfect, but a step in the right direction.



Rich::

 

[Momvic5]

*IF* I have to say something good (?) - It's entertaining for the kids for hours

Bad - They are shooting at each other!!!

Ugly - The welts and marks and tears from the pellets

I agree! The only good I have found is that my boys (12 and 7) along with my DH and brothers have been entertained by them for hours. Eye-protection is a must though!

Bad - Fun that involves shooting at eachother. (Every man and boy's idea of fun)

Ugly - hundreds of little rubber BBs everywhere!

Warning: Some guns do shoot harder than others. We have 3 different ones, and one of them seems to shoot with more power. It leaves bruises where as the other two just sting a bit.

 

[java]

Thanks for all the info.
We live out in the country and many of his friends hunt. We do not. These would be used in backyards and honestly I doubt much supervision which is why I am reluctant- At my house I would watch but I can't assume the same at others. But maybe with a googles only rule would work. I am about the hot pink one - now that would be funny!

 

[CathrynRose]

Airsoft guns are basically realistic imitation firearms that fire ball bearings.

You can read more about them here:

http://arniesairsoft.co.uk/

Here in the UK, we have proliferation laws - before you can buy an airsoft weapon, be in spring or gas, blah blah blah, you need to obtain a licence, which you achieve by skirmishing and therefore renting an airsoft gun a number of times in a month. You can't just up and buy one - you need to demonstrate you are competent and clued up. Not perfect, but a step in the right direction.



Rich::

The airsoft guns we owned were not shooting ball bearings. They were shooting plastic pellet things on neon orange and yellow.

I agree! The only good I have found is that my boys (12 and 7) along with my DH and brothers have been entertained by them for hours. Eye-protection is a must though!

Bad - Fun that involves shooting at eachother. (Every man and boy's idea of fun)

Ugly - hundreds of little rubber BBs everywhere!

Warning: Some guns do shoot harder than others. We have 3 different ones, and one of them seems to shoot with more power. It leaves bruises where as the other two just sting a bit.

AGreed!

 

[claudia]

Airsoft guns are basically realistic imitation firearms that fire ball bearings.

You can read more about them here:

http://arniesairsoft.co.uk/

Here in the UK, we have proliferation laws - before you can buy an airsoft weapon, be in spring or gas, blah blah blah, you need to obtain a licence, which you achieve by skirmishing and therefore renting an airsoft gun a number of times in a month. You can't just up and buy one - you need to demonstrate you are competent and clued up. Not perfect, but a step in the right direction.



Rich::

the airsoft guns my son has shoot little round plastic balls....like a ping pong ball. BB guns would have the metal ball. Two very different types of guns.