A petition in defence of Airsoft

Dear MAG or to whom this may concern,

We are part of a nationwide group of airsoft skirmishers. As responsible airsoft users we play simulated war games using airsoft replicas at dedicated sites throughout the country. Airsoft Toys are replica weapons that fire (and can only fire) plastic 6mm ball bearings at a speed far lower that air rifles and pistols. We take pride in trying to educate users of airsoft toys to use them responsibly and in a way that will not cause panic and fear amongst the general public. These measures include never showing an airsoft toy in a public place and always transporting the toy in a suitable container such as a gun bag. Our community has many focal points, mostly online and include the Airsoft Community Forums (http://www.airsoftcommunity.co.uk) and the UK Airsoft Network (http://www.ukairsoft.net)

The troubles highlighted by your news paper show the downside to airsofting. With the sale of airsoft toys unregulated cheap "springer" (a single spring cocking mechanism) airsoft toys are often bought by youth gangs and cause numerous situations with ARUs (Armed Response Units). The unregulated sale of these items is a problem as it casts the vast majority of airsoft users in a bad light.

We must point out that we are disappointed in the sensationalistic way you chose to portray airsoft weapons implying that airsoft toys are "capable of firing live ammunition". This is at best inaccurate and at worst a lie. No airsoft toy can be converted to fire live ammunition. Airsoft toys are made from a mixture of soft alloy metals and plastic parts using either a gas release system or an electric motor and spring system to fire plastic 6mm ball bearings. Firstly it would be impossible to fire live ammunition as airsoft toys have no firing pin. Secondly the calibre (diameter of the barrel) is only 6mm surrounded by a larger (and usually plastic) outer barrel. Live ammunition is typically much larger. Thirdly and finally if a live round was set off within an airsoft toy it would cause more harm to the user than the target as the alloy and plastic parts are not built to withstand the huge forces applied when firing live ammunition, and would cause the toy to explode in the users hand.
To our knowledge there is only 1 air pistol (note NOT airsoft toy) that is capable of being converted to fire live ammunition and that is the Brocock pistol. As this is not an airsoft toy and is not carried by any airsoft supplier it is erroneous to tie it in with airsoft toys.

It is not only airsoft skirmishers this would affect. One of the biggest hobbies in the country is historical re-enactment. Millions of people all over the country get together and re-enact historical events and timeperiods from the early Iron Age, right through to World War 2. A ban on replica weaponry would cripple a vibrant community as well as an important social and historical resource.

We take your point that the very imitation of a weapon is the major cause of contention. However an outright ban is not the answer. Consider the ban on handguns in the 90's. This did not cut down on gun crime and in fact gun crime has risen despite this ban. If a criminal wants to get hold of a gun they would have little trouble in obtaining one by various means. If all replica weapons were banned, anyone who wanted to use a replica would simply make their own out of wood. Let us not forget that the police have shot a man wielding a table leg as they thought it was a weapon, so this is not a preposterous as it may seem. If the 4 little thugs had not had access to a fake pistol they could well have been carrying a knife, which instead of being a perceived threat turns into a very real and actual threat.

The sensationalism which has gripped the media and politicians over this issue is a shameful example of merely trying to gain votes and sell papers. Wild claims on the very near and present danger to all our lives via fake weaponry is damaging to our society. A far better use of your time and resources would be a campaign for Better Parenting, with education for new parents and help for existing ones. Far more could be achieved by this in terms of reducing vandalism, arson, petty crime, truancy and including threats and muggings.

Your campaign, although based on good intentions, is filled with misgivings and threatens a sport that we and thousands of others enjoy as well as providing a living for 60 or so skirmishing sites all over the country. As responsible airsofters we acknowledge that there is a problem, but banning everything connected with it is a fearful and uneducated knee jerk reaction to the problem. Registration, legislation, enforcement and possibly even licensing would be more sensible and cost effective ways forward.