What's Going On?
If you've been with us for a while, you know through Fox, our teammates here have personally been pushing for a culture of responsibility and good vibes to grow the sport of airsoft not just locally but in other corners of the US as well. I don't want to get too political, but with airsoft being so closely tied to gun culture, the sport of airsoft inevitably becomes threatened due to the nature of the realistic equipment we use.
This is an ongoing battle in many regions, and the most recent battlefront to emerge is Pennsylvania. PA HB2216 was introduced, and it makes it illegal for both individuals and retailers to sell airsoft guns unless they comply with the following:
- A color other than black, blue, silver, or aluminum;
- Marked with a non-removable orange stripe that is at least one inch in width and runs the entire length of the barrel on each side of the barrel or
- Equipped with a barrel at least one inch in diameter that is closed at a distance of at least one-half inch from the front end of the barrel with the same material from which the toy gun or imitation firearm is made.
This presents a bunch of problems. Based on appearance alone, we won't be able to enjoy airsoft guns aesthetically however we like. That is the majority of the appeal of airsoft. The orange markings now would become more prevalent. But beyond personal aesthetics, this is what I want to point out that is harmful: this is done in the guise of personal safety, but as we all know, this does not improve anything if you are irresponsible with airsoft guns. In general, airsoft players are not the problem they are being portrayed as. Still, don't give people that fuel to ban airsoft if you, too, are part of the problem. Another consideration is that airsoft is not quite as mainstream a sport as you would think, and there are few stores in a given state, such as Pennsylvania. A sweeping change in the legislature would mean distributors and manufacturers would have to do something to address a very small market, meaning we would see less product availability. Online sales would also have to comply. You could circumvent it and buy from other sources, but your local businesses would die, and as a result, you would see no places to play, and the sport would die in a region. Even if you don't play airsoft anymore or intend to quit, selling your stuff privately means you must comply with these laws or face criminal charges.
In California, we almost had the same thing happen were it not for heavy activism on the part of the player base and local retailers going all the way to the state capitol. An 11th-hour agreement was made that conceded one aspect: orange striping out airsoft guns in certain ways before the sale, but the silver lining was that all the other stipulations were dropped. It was a very close and nail-biting battle. The effect of the orange markings and deterrence on crime and negligence with airsoft guns is negligible at best. The PA bill is much more strict because it also applies legal penalties to private citizens. What you could be doing and enjoying now could turn criminal overnight.
What can we do to prevent this from happening?
For our fellow airsofters and businesses in Pennsylvania, Amped Airsoft has started a petition on change.org to try and advocate for our sport and livelihoods with the local house and senate. Together with other local airsoft businesses, such as Mercer Airsoft Center, they stand together to fight the passing of this bill. You can help by signing. Keep comments respectful and constructive because cooler heads will prevail. This is where the nationwide airsoft community could help one of its neighbors in their hour of need. Spread the word to your friends, too.
How do we do that for our local airsoft scene?
Be a good ambassador of the sport. That means advocating for safety and personal responsibility as well as portraying airsoft in a positive light.
Engage in civil discourse. Educate others on the sport and its positive effects. People might not understand guns or why we like them, but we can ingrain in them the positive elements of the sport and that airsoft players are like anybody else and just want to have a good time. You want to be friendly and approachable on the subject because you are trying to have them see another point of view. Don't be abrasive or forceful in your opinion because that will stigmatize the player base. If you don't feel comfortable with that type of interaction, you can start small and just get the people around you, like your parents, siblings, or close friends, to understand why you play the game.
Grow the sport. If airsoft is a fringe sport, most people won't bat an eye that it is gone. The more people we can get involved in our culture, the more they can see the positive aspects of it and come to bat for us when the tides of politics shift.
Pictures used with permission from Amped Airsoft and Mercer Airsoft Center - two businesses and airsofting communities in Pennsylvania that will be affected.
