Sunday, December 10, 2006
Reilly files lawsuit against 7 airsoft gun retailers
Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly filed suit yesterday against six out-of-state online retailers and one Massachusetts store owner to stop sales of ‘‘look-alike’’ BB guns and air rifles to minors. The lawsuit follows an undercover sting operation conducted by Reilly’s office, which enlisted the help of a 16-year-old boy who easily purchased the guns online. Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc., the Sports Authority, GSI Commerce Solutions, Airsoft Atlanta Inc., and a Norwood store, Xtreme Action Paintball, have agreed to pay penalties and amend their sales policies and procedures. Reilly is seeking preliminary injunctions against Jungle Toy LLC and Tactical Innovations to prevent them from selling to minors in Massachusetts, where the law prohibits the sale of an air rifle or BB gun to anyone younger than 18.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Fake pistol (airsoft gun) breaks, thwarts Redmond ATM holdup
A Redmond robber tried to hold up a woman making a late-night bank ATM deposit, but his plastic fake pistol (airsoft gun) broke when he hit her on the head with it, officers said.
Police were on the hunt Saturday for suspects in the alleged holdup try, which occurred shortly before midnight at the Bank of the Cascades at 2542 S. Highway 97, said Redmond Officer Lee Gilbert.
A Redmond Cinemas employee making a night deposit said the unknown male subject "came up from behind, hit her on the head with a plastic Airsoft gun," Gilbert said. "It broke, pieces fell on the ground."
The deposit had already dropped into the ATM when the robber made his attempt, the officer added.
The victim's husband and someone accompanying them chased the robber, who ran to a vehicle and took off in it, with someone else apparently at the wheel, Gilbert said. A police search of the area failed to turn up the suspects in the assault and attempted robbery, he added.
"We have more information that we're following up on," the officer said, declining to reveal details that could hinder the investigation.
Police were on the hunt Saturday for suspects in the alleged holdup try, which occurred shortly before midnight at the Bank of the Cascades at 2542 S. Highway 97, said Redmond Officer Lee Gilbert.
A Redmond Cinemas employee making a night deposit said the unknown male subject "came up from behind, hit her on the head with a plastic Airsoft gun," Gilbert said. "It broke, pieces fell on the ground."
The deposit had already dropped into the ATM when the robber made his attempt, the officer added.
The victim's husband and someone accompanying them chased the robber, who ran to a vehicle and took off in it, with someone else apparently at the wheel, Gilbert said. A police search of the area failed to turn up the suspects in the assault and attempted robbery, he added.
"We have more information that we're following up on," the officer said, declining to reveal details that could hinder the investigation.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Great Airsoft Gun Training Tactics
We’ve all shot multiple-target drills. To start, the shooter usually stands seven yards from three evenly spaced targets. A buzzer or whistle signals the beginning of the drill, which requires the shooter to fire a set number of shots on each target, either from the ready position or the holster. There might be a reload in the middle, or maybe not. The shooter usually stands still with no use-of-cover required. Normally, a very liberal time frame is placed on the drill — six shots in 20 seconds, something like that. The time frame must remain liberal because the intent is not to challenge the shooter, but to get them qualified in some type of multiple-target drill so they can go back on the street. After all, the goal is not to prepare the officer for what they’ll likely face if they’re involved in a gunfight with multiple adversaries (I could use the more palatable word “confrontation,” but gunfight is the reality); the goal is to meet some agency or state qualification mandate. After all, qualification is the same as preparation, right?
Some would have you think so, but nothing could be further from the truth. Let’s face facts: All defensive firearms training is artificial. It’s a method for preparing officers for armed conflict through skill-building, but there’s no way the stress and pandemonium of life and death can be incorporated into any training drill or scenario, including Airsoft or SIMUNITION, because the expectation or possibility of death has been all but eliminated. As trainers, we do the best we can, but there’s no way we can capture the reality of every possible situation our officers will face.
That said, some drills are better than others for preparing officers for a gunfight. The drill described earlier is a perfect example. It may be great for competition, but poor for fight preparation.
I know I’ll get called on the carpet, so before I go any further, let me say that I like the classic El Presidente drill in which a shooter faces (or must pivot to face) three targets, draws from the holster and fires two shots on each of the three, reloads and either shoots two more or a single head shot on each. The drill has varied over the years, but follows the same basic format. I like the El Presidente not because it’s a multiple-target drill, but because it requires the shooter to perform a variety of skills all in one drill. For this purpose, it’s brilliant, but do not mistake what it really is.
Statistical studies of police gunfights, such as the FBI’s Officers Killed report or the NYPD’s SOP-9 survey, have made it quite clear officers will face multiple adversaries somewhere from 40–50 percent of the time. While I don’t place a great deal of faith in many statistical studies, it’s hard to ignore the large body of information telling us trainers that the likelihood of our officers facing more than one bad guy is quite high. Think about your own youth. Weren’t you more likely to get in trouble or do something dumb when you were with someone than when you were alone? It’s no different for criminals. They’re more emboldened when they’re in a wolf pack. When creating your agency’s lesson plan, give training for multiple adversaries a sizable chunk of the allotted training time. If you’re practicing on your own, include multiple-target engagement in your training regimen.
Dos & Don’ts
As with any defensive situation, awareness remains the key to dealing with multiple opponents. Avoid or evade any potential confrontation when possible, but like so many law enforcement functions, confrontation may be likely. After all, it’s our job as police officers to seek out and confront lawbreakers, but do so with all possible advantages. However, if you find yourself facing multiple bad guys alone, counter the attack with great speed and totally committed violence. First of all, move! Try to create as much distance between yourself and your attackers as possible. A moving target is harder to hit than a stationary one, so don’t just stand there and take incoming rounds. For every step (about three feet) you take, your ability to prevail multiplies because the farther away you can get from your opponent, the more your training is magnified while their ability to deliver a lucky hit decreases. Do not underestimate the lag time and confusion you can create for your opponents by moving in such a way that you get them in each other’s line of fire. Hell, use one of them for cover if it’s possible.
Don’t try to figure out which of them has the most deadly weapon. This is a game played by range officers who don’t understand the true dynamics of a gunfight. We’ve all played the “this guy has a shotgun and this one has a knife — whom do you shoot first” game. The fact is, all weapons are deadly. While you’re shooting the distant guy with the shotgun, the close guy might be cutting your throat with his knife. Deal with the close threat first. Better yet, shoot the close threat while you move to put him between you and the shotgun-wielding opponent. Yes, this may be wishful thinking, but it has worked in real confrontations. This is why those who understand human conflict will tell you gunfighting is a mental skill, not a physical one
When training for multiple opponent situations, you can use an El Presidente-like drill quite effectively. You can execute this drill against a single backstop, but if you can find a training location that has live-fire capability in multiple directions, all the better. Set up three targets 5–10 yards from where the shooter will start the drill. If possible, vary the elevation of each target so the shooter must look for them and adjust accordingly. Try to keep the shooter from just becoming a “tank turret” as they move from target to target. Set the targets at different distances with varied spacing so no pattern is obvious. To enhance realism, start the drill by uncovering the shooter’s face or having the shooter step out from behind something so they must respond instantly with no prior knowledge of the targets’ locations. Incorporate movement into the drill by directing the shooter to move laterally while they draw to engage the first target. If you can get stationary swinger/wobbler targets, tie them together with a rope or cord and pull on them so they also move during the drill. Such drills will get the shooter plenty pumped up.
When I conduct my training courses, I like to incorporate a drill that uses either Airsoft or SIMUNITION guns. I take two or three students and spread them out in front of the shooter with a variety of these guns, other weapons or empty hands. I give the shooter an Airsoft or SIMUNITION pistol in a holster. I cover the shooter’s face with a pillowcase and tell them to get ready. When the pillow case is pulled off, the shooter must instantly decide what’s going on, who is a threat, who needs to be shot and where to move to keep from getting shot. This drill incorporates both multiple targets and decision-making into the same drill. Needless to say, this drill has caused more than one person to melt down, but better in training than on the street.
Stay alert and check 360 often.
Some would have you think so, but nothing could be further from the truth. Let’s face facts: All defensive firearms training is artificial. It’s a method for preparing officers for armed conflict through skill-building, but there’s no way the stress and pandemonium of life and death can be incorporated into any training drill or scenario, including Airsoft or SIMUNITION, because the expectation or possibility of death has been all but eliminated. As trainers, we do the best we can, but there’s no way we can capture the reality of every possible situation our officers will face.
That said, some drills are better than others for preparing officers for a gunfight. The drill described earlier is a perfect example. It may be great for competition, but poor for fight preparation.
I know I’ll get called on the carpet, so before I go any further, let me say that I like the classic El Presidente drill in which a shooter faces (or must pivot to face) three targets, draws from the holster and fires two shots on each of the three, reloads and either shoots two more or a single head shot on each. The drill has varied over the years, but follows the same basic format. I like the El Presidente not because it’s a multiple-target drill, but because it requires the shooter to perform a variety of skills all in one drill. For this purpose, it’s brilliant, but do not mistake what it really is.
Statistical studies of police gunfights, such as the FBI’s Officers Killed report or the NYPD’s SOP-9 survey, have made it quite clear officers will face multiple adversaries somewhere from 40–50 percent of the time. While I don’t place a great deal of faith in many statistical studies, it’s hard to ignore the large body of information telling us trainers that the likelihood of our officers facing more than one bad guy is quite high. Think about your own youth. Weren’t you more likely to get in trouble or do something dumb when you were with someone than when you were alone? It’s no different for criminals. They’re more emboldened when they’re in a wolf pack. When creating your agency’s lesson plan, give training for multiple adversaries a sizable chunk of the allotted training time. If you’re practicing on your own, include multiple-target engagement in your training regimen.
Dos & Don’ts
As with any defensive situation, awareness remains the key to dealing with multiple opponents. Avoid or evade any potential confrontation when possible, but like so many law enforcement functions, confrontation may be likely. After all, it’s our job as police officers to seek out and confront lawbreakers, but do so with all possible advantages. However, if you find yourself facing multiple bad guys alone, counter the attack with great speed and totally committed violence. First of all, move! Try to create as much distance between yourself and your attackers as possible. A moving target is harder to hit than a stationary one, so don’t just stand there and take incoming rounds. For every step (about three feet) you take, your ability to prevail multiplies because the farther away you can get from your opponent, the more your training is magnified while their ability to deliver a lucky hit decreases. Do not underestimate the lag time and confusion you can create for your opponents by moving in such a way that you get them in each other’s line of fire. Hell, use one of them for cover if it’s possible.
Don’t try to figure out which of them has the most deadly weapon. This is a game played by range officers who don’t understand the true dynamics of a gunfight. We’ve all played the “this guy has a shotgun and this one has a knife — whom do you shoot first” game. The fact is, all weapons are deadly. While you’re shooting the distant guy with the shotgun, the close guy might be cutting your throat with his knife. Deal with the close threat first. Better yet, shoot the close threat while you move to put him between you and the shotgun-wielding opponent. Yes, this may be wishful thinking, but it has worked in real confrontations. This is why those who understand human conflict will tell you gunfighting is a mental skill, not a physical one
When training for multiple opponent situations, you can use an El Presidente-like drill quite effectively. You can execute this drill against a single backstop, but if you can find a training location that has live-fire capability in multiple directions, all the better. Set up three targets 5–10 yards from where the shooter will start the drill. If possible, vary the elevation of each target so the shooter must look for them and adjust accordingly. Try to keep the shooter from just becoming a “tank turret” as they move from target to target. Set the targets at different distances with varied spacing so no pattern is obvious. To enhance realism, start the drill by uncovering the shooter’s face or having the shooter step out from behind something so they must respond instantly with no prior knowledge of the targets’ locations. Incorporate movement into the drill by directing the shooter to move laterally while they draw to engage the first target. If you can get stationary swinger/wobbler targets, tie them together with a rope or cord and pull on them so they also move during the drill. Such drills will get the shooter plenty pumped up.
When I conduct my training courses, I like to incorporate a drill that uses either Airsoft or SIMUNITION guns. I take two or three students and spread them out in front of the shooter with a variety of these guns, other weapons or empty hands. I give the shooter an Airsoft or SIMUNITION pistol in a holster. I cover the shooter’s face with a pillowcase and tell them to get ready. When the pillow case is pulled off, the shooter must instantly decide what’s going on, who is a threat, who needs to be shot and where to move to keep from getting shot. This drill incorporates both multiple targets and decision-making into the same drill. Needless to say, this drill has caused more than one person to melt down, but better in training than on the street.
Stay alert and check 360 often.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Student brings plastic airsoft pellet gun to school
fake gun became a real problem Thursday in the Apple Valley school district.
On the same day new security cameras went up at Apple Valley's Environmental Studies School, a 14-year-old student brought a plastic gun to school, that shoots plastic pellets.
Police say the boy was on his way to class at the Alternative Learning Center. He took several school buses to get there and ended up shooting several rounds in several different places. Police say he fired in the high school cafeteria, outside the environmental school and on the bus itself.
No one was hurt, but buildings were locked down. The gun was found behind a cabinet in a classroom at the Alternative Learning Center.
"We're concerned about school safety all the time," says school district superintendent John Currie.
It's not the first time something like this has happened. Two other Apple Valley students were disciplined this year for bringing pellet guns to school. They were replicas that looked like the real thing.
Guns that shoot plastic pellets are known as airsoft guns. They can certainly seem very realistic. The orange tip at the end is the only thing that shows the gun isn't real.
"We're finding some of these as officers are stopping vehicles at night lying on seats of cars. That's not a good situation," says Apple Valley Police Chief Scott Johnson.
The guns are sold at toy stores and places like CC Military Surplus in Maplewood, where they check ID and have customers sign a waiver before selling airsoft guns.
"Used in the right place and time, airsoft is a sport that just like paintball, is safe as long as it's in an organized setting and in a place where you can go and do these things with appropriate safety gear," says Rick Michel with CC Military Surplus.
But police and school officials worry too many replica guns are getting in the hands of kids not trained to use them safely.
"I think students are viewing these things as toys and they're not, depending on how they're being used. They're quite serious," says superintendent Currie.
According to the Minnesota Department of Education, there were 204 incidents in Minnesota schools last year involving BB or toy guns.
As for the teenager who fired the plastic pellet gun Thursday in Apple Valley, authorities don't think he was targeting anyone specific.
But he will likely be expelled and could face criminal charges.
On the same day new security cameras went up at Apple Valley's Environmental Studies School, a 14-year-old student brought a plastic gun to school, that shoots plastic pellets.
Police say the boy was on his way to class at the Alternative Learning Center. He took several school buses to get there and ended up shooting several rounds in several different places. Police say he fired in the high school cafeteria, outside the environmental school and on the bus itself.
No one was hurt, but buildings were locked down. The gun was found behind a cabinet in a classroom at the Alternative Learning Center.
"We're concerned about school safety all the time," says school district superintendent John Currie.
It's not the first time something like this has happened. Two other Apple Valley students were disciplined this year for bringing pellet guns to school. They were replicas that looked like the real thing.
Guns that shoot plastic pellets are known as airsoft guns. They can certainly seem very realistic. The orange tip at the end is the only thing that shows the gun isn't real.
"We're finding some of these as officers are stopping vehicles at night lying on seats of cars. That's not a good situation," says Apple Valley Police Chief Scott Johnson.
The guns are sold at toy stores and places like CC Military Surplus in Maplewood, where they check ID and have customers sign a waiver before selling airsoft guns.
"Used in the right place and time, airsoft is a sport that just like paintball, is safe as long as it's in an organized setting and in a place where you can go and do these things with appropriate safety gear," says Rick Michel with CC Military Surplus.
But police and school officials worry too many replica guns are getting in the hands of kids not trained to use them safely.
"I think students are viewing these things as toys and they're not, depending on how they're being used. They're quite serious," says superintendent Currie.
According to the Minnesota Department of Education, there were 204 incidents in Minnesota schools last year involving BB or toy guns.
As for the teenager who fired the plastic pellet gun Thursday in Apple Valley, authorities don't think he was targeting anyone specific.
But he will likely be expelled and could face criminal charges.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Airsoft Adventure Weekend Sweepstakes with flight, lodging, and equipment, Courtesy of AirSplat and Maxim
Located in southern California, Airsplat (www.airsplat.com) is the largest airsoft retailer in the nation. With a 20,000 square foot warehouse, AirSplat stocks all makes and models of airsoft guns and accessories by all of the major manufacturers. Full line of spring, gas, and airsoft guns. Accessories and apparel also available.
AirSplat and Maxim have teamed up to offer you a chance at an all expense paid trip to the ultimate airsoft adventure. If you are the lucky winner, you and a friend will be flow out for 3 days and 2 nights in Los Angeles where you can fulfill your dreams of becoming weekend warriors. You will receive round trip coach airfare from any major U.S. airport, 2 nights paid accommodations, transportation to and from the airport, entry to the most exclusive club in LA, and full airsoft gun setup for the both of you.
You will also be fully equipped with all of the Airsoft gear you’ll need to test your skills on the field of battle, including; full airsoft gear setup for two (2 MP5 AEG Airsoft Guns, 2 Full Face Masks, 2 Gas Airsoft Pistols, 10,000 Airsoft BB’s, 2 Tactical Vests, 2 Thigh Holsters, 2 AEG Batteries, 2 Chargers, Green Gas, etc) as well as free entry into Airsoft Playground (www.airsoftplayground.com) for Airsoft CQB Battling.
Total value of package $2,700.
Airsoft as a sport, is when players use non-lethal, replica firearms in the simulation of military style combat (MilSim) or in force on force game play. These toy guns both feel, look, and act like the real thing. They are both the same weight and size as the real things, yet completely safe.
If you are lucky enough to be selected, you and a friend will be able to spend the entire weekend in CQB Battle at the Airsoft Playground. The Airsoft Playground, located in Los Angeles County in the city of El Monte, is composed of 2 separate indoor airsoft fields covering nearly 15,000 square feet! The first field has an outdoor feel and is made up of hay bales, drums, pallets, and other outdoor obstacles. The second field is designed with CQB in mind; featuring walls, hallways, doors, small rooms, windows, and much more. Both of these are perfect arenas to bring out the airsoft soldier in you.
Enter online at for your chance to win!
www.airsplat.com/sweepstakes
No purchase required.
AirSplat and Maxim have teamed up to offer you a chance at an all expense paid trip to the ultimate airsoft adventure. If you are the lucky winner, you and a friend will be flow out for 3 days and 2 nights in Los Angeles where you can fulfill your dreams of becoming weekend warriors. You will receive round trip coach airfare from any major U.S. airport, 2 nights paid accommodations, transportation to and from the airport, entry to the most exclusive club in LA, and full airsoft gun setup for the both of you.
You will also be fully equipped with all of the Airsoft gear you’ll need to test your skills on the field of battle, including; full airsoft gear setup for two (2 MP5 AEG Airsoft Guns, 2 Full Face Masks, 2 Gas Airsoft Pistols, 10,000 Airsoft BB’s, 2 Tactical Vests, 2 Thigh Holsters, 2 AEG Batteries, 2 Chargers, Green Gas, etc) as well as free entry into Airsoft Playground (www.airsoftplayground.com) for Airsoft CQB Battling.
Total value of package $2,700.
Airsoft as a sport, is when players use non-lethal, replica firearms in the simulation of military style combat (MilSim) or in force on force game play. These toy guns both feel, look, and act like the real thing. They are both the same weight and size as the real things, yet completely safe.
If you are lucky enough to be selected, you and a friend will be able to spend the entire weekend in CQB Battle at the Airsoft Playground. The Airsoft Playground, located in Los Angeles County in the city of El Monte, is composed of 2 separate indoor airsoft fields covering nearly 15,000 square feet! The first field has an outdoor feel and is made up of hay bales, drums, pallets, and other outdoor obstacles. The second field is designed with CQB in mind; featuring walls, hallways, doors, small rooms, windows, and much more. Both of these are perfect arenas to bring out the airsoft soldier in you.
Enter online at for your chance to win!
www.airsplat.com/sweepstakes
No purchase required.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Airsoft Gun Injury Cases Rise In Local Hospitals
SAN DIEGO -- The popularity of airsoft guns has triggered an epidemic for doctors at Rady Children’s Hospital, 10News reported.
More than 20 children have been treated there for eye injuries caused by the guns so far this year.
Hank Houtman has been told he is one of the lucky ones.
“(After being hit in the eye), it automatically went black and the pain was instantly unreal. I dropped the gun, ran to the mirror and saw a puddle of blood in the pupil. My eye was completely black. Where it hit was red and bloodshot,” said Houtman.
The guns do come with warning labels and goggles are also usually part of a package deal.
However, doctors have said far too many people have not been wearing the goggles.
“The bullet hits the eye and the force tears blood vessels and causes severe hemorrhaging. It can be blinding, either immediately or long-term,” said pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Colin Scher.
Scher said Houtman should get his full sight back, but he'll require yearly check-ups for the rest of his life. Scher also added that long-term damage might not reveal itself for many years.
More than 20 children have been treated there for eye injuries caused by the guns so far this year.
Hank Houtman has been told he is one of the lucky ones.
“(After being hit in the eye), it automatically went black and the pain was instantly unreal. I dropped the gun, ran to the mirror and saw a puddle of blood in the pupil. My eye was completely black. Where it hit was red and bloodshot,” said Houtman.
The guns do come with warning labels and goggles are also usually part of a package deal.
However, doctors have said far too many people have not been wearing the goggles.
“The bullet hits the eye and the force tears blood vessels and causes severe hemorrhaging. It can be blinding, either immediately or long-term,” said pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Colin Scher.
Scher said Houtman should get his full sight back, but he'll require yearly check-ups for the rest of his life. Scher also added that long-term damage might not reveal itself for many years.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Jacquielynn Floyd: Real guns should be the real concern (opposing view of ban on Airsoft Guns in Texas)
Once the City Council enacts its strict new fake-firearm ban, I confidently predict we can expect the number of Dallas children accidentally shot by police in tragic toy gun misunderstandings to drop to zero. The number currently stands at ... well, zero.
As long as we're going after faux weaponry, we might as well broaden the measure to include plastic swords, phony hand grenades and big fake rocks, because just one replica-weapon tragedy is one too many.
The City Council's public-safety committee eagerly embraced this idea on Tuesday, directing the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would ban most toy guns, except those made of transparent plastic or painted in vivid, iridescent colors.
This is a decent, popular and well-intended measure modeled on similar bans in Plano, Carrollton and a dozen other cities across the country.
Typically, residents and city officials are stunned speechless when they see how alarmingly close "toy" firearms have gotten to the bona fide article.
The fear is fueled by breathless, golly-gee news accounts that show photos of, say, a fake but extremely realistic M-16 assault rifle alongside the real McCoy. In the dark, how could a policeman tell the difference?
Look, I know this is scary. I know it's easy to imagine a tragic misunderstanding in which a police officer sees somebody brandishing what gives every appearance of being a real gun – and does what he or she is trained to do.
There was a frightening incident in Coppell a couple of years ago when a policeman saw a 12-year-old boy running down a residential street with what looked like a 9mm handgun.
The cop pulled his service revolver and ordered the boy to "drop it." The terrified kid did so, then burst into tears. He was carrying an "airsoft" gun, a replica that shoots soft Nerf-like nuggets.
Scary? You bet. There has been a smattering of similar cases, some of which ended tragically. In 2001, Las Vegas police shot a 16-year-old who pointed a fake handgun at an officer after being stopped in a stolen car. In another case, a Florida teenager was killed when he pointed a realistic looking replica rifle at a deputy.
The number of such cases, however, is statistically invisible when compared with the appalling numbers of children who kill themselves or somebody else with a real, live gun that shoots real bullets.
That happens with numbing, depressing frequency. It happens here in Dallas and in neighboring cities. In many years of beat reporting, I was at the scene of at least a half-dozen incidents in which a child died as a result of playing with a gun.
A little boy in East Dallas killed his 2-year-old sister with a handgun he found in Mama's purse. A grade-schooler in Arlington shot himself in the face with a revolver he discovered under the seat of Dad's SUV.
Those are just a couple I recall offhand. I could pull you a dozen others from the files, but do you really have to hear all these sad stories?
Our City Council said the same thing many other councils said in banning realistic toy guns: "These are a tragedy waiting to happen!"
I guess, although a 2003 report delivered by the General Accounting Office to Congress outlining hazards associated with toy guns identified choking on small parts as the chief threat. Accidental police shootings weren't even mentioned.
There's nothing wrong with the council's proposed ban. On the plus side, it'll make a lot of people worried about this issue happy; on the minus side, it'll probably be a pretty big headache to enforce.
It certainly seems like an irrelevant diversion, however, when considered alongside the lethal combination of children and real guns.
I understand there are tougher and far more politically sensitive issues at play when you start talking about the real article. It's a fairly absurd irony that it's so easy to curtail access to toy guns, but we're afraid to even talk about guns that can actually kill people.
Maybe kids and toy guns really are "a tragedy waiting to happen."
Kids and real guns are a tragedy that happens all the time.
(Click on link for full article)
As long as we're going after faux weaponry, we might as well broaden the measure to include plastic swords, phony hand grenades and big fake rocks, because just one replica-weapon tragedy is one too many.
The City Council's public-safety committee eagerly embraced this idea on Tuesday, directing the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would ban most toy guns, except those made of transparent plastic or painted in vivid, iridescent colors.
This is a decent, popular and well-intended measure modeled on similar bans in Plano, Carrollton and a dozen other cities across the country.
Typically, residents and city officials are stunned speechless when they see how alarmingly close "toy" firearms have gotten to the bona fide article.
The fear is fueled by breathless, golly-gee news accounts that show photos of, say, a fake but extremely realistic M-16 assault rifle alongside the real McCoy. In the dark, how could a policeman tell the difference?
Look, I know this is scary. I know it's easy to imagine a tragic misunderstanding in which a police officer sees somebody brandishing what gives every appearance of being a real gun – and does what he or she is trained to do.
There was a frightening incident in Coppell a couple of years ago when a policeman saw a 12-year-old boy running down a residential street with what looked like a 9mm handgun.
The cop pulled his service revolver and ordered the boy to "drop it." The terrified kid did so, then burst into tears. He was carrying an "airsoft" gun, a replica that shoots soft Nerf-like nuggets.
Scary? You bet. There has been a smattering of similar cases, some of which ended tragically. In 2001, Las Vegas police shot a 16-year-old who pointed a fake handgun at an officer after being stopped in a stolen car. In another case, a Florida teenager was killed when he pointed a realistic looking replica rifle at a deputy.
The number of such cases, however, is statistically invisible when compared with the appalling numbers of children who kill themselves or somebody else with a real, live gun that shoots real bullets.
That happens with numbing, depressing frequency. It happens here in Dallas and in neighboring cities. In many years of beat reporting, I was at the scene of at least a half-dozen incidents in which a child died as a result of playing with a gun.
A little boy in East Dallas killed his 2-year-old sister with a handgun he found in Mama's purse. A grade-schooler in Arlington shot himself in the face with a revolver he discovered under the seat of Dad's SUV.
Those are just a couple I recall offhand. I could pull you a dozen others from the files, but do you really have to hear all these sad stories?
Our City Council said the same thing many other councils said in banning realistic toy guns: "These are a tragedy waiting to happen!"
I guess, although a 2003 report delivered by the General Accounting Office to Congress outlining hazards associated with toy guns identified choking on small parts as the chief threat. Accidental police shootings weren't even mentioned.
There's nothing wrong with the council's proposed ban. On the plus side, it'll make a lot of people worried about this issue happy; on the minus side, it'll probably be a pretty big headache to enforce.
It certainly seems like an irrelevant diversion, however, when considered alongside the lethal combination of children and real guns.
I understand there are tougher and far more politically sensitive issues at play when you start talking about the real article. It's a fairly absurd irony that it's so easy to curtail access to toy guns, but we're afraid to even talk about guns that can actually kill people.
Maybe kids and toy guns really are "a tragedy waiting to happen."
Kids and real guns are a tragedy that happens all the time.
(Click on link for full article)
Friday, July 14, 2006
2 Years of Airsoft News and Counting
Well, it's been 2 years since I started with this blog about airsoft in local news across the nation. Airsoft has changed so much in the last 2 years. Rifles have gotten more powerful and reliable. There are even more airsoft rifles and pistols to choose from. Everywhere you look, there is a store or somewhere selling these airsoft guns. And one thing I noticed is the prices have really come down across the board for all models of airsoft guns: gas, electric, and spring. But the introduction of Chinese airsoft guns has made a huge difference. It looks like the LPEG (Low Powered Electric Gun) has now inserted a new stepping stone for enthusiasts before moving to the full sized AEG (Automatic or Airsoft Electric Gun) rifles. Well, I can't say it's a bad thing, the more players and enthusiasts the more popular this sport becomes.
Well, to another 2 years of airsoft and we'll see where we'll be. Maybe we'll be shooting guns that that are even more realistic. And maybe there will be many more manufacturers than the current ones. Now there are only a handful of AEG manufacturers: ICS, CA, Tokyo Marui, G&G, etc. Gas airsoft guns, only have a few as well: HFC, UHC, KJW, Tokyo Marui, KSC, KWA, etc. I think the most increase has been in the LPEG section with Both Elephant, CYMA, Well, Lorcin, and a number of others all appearing this year.
Let's reshift this from I wonder what will happen in 2 years, to I hope this is what it's going to be like in 2 years. I hope in 2 years, there will be a number of LPEG manufacturers. I hope that their quality improves to become a good lower budget alternative to AEG's. Or a better stepping stone. I hope gas guns become more dependable and many more models are released. I hope AEG's become even more dependable and reliable even when upgraded. I hope the overal quality improves. I hope with all of these airsoft guns, regardless of LPEG, AEG, or gas, electric become cheaper and more realistic.
And most importantly, I hope everyone handles these guns with responsibility. If you read through my blog you will see the negative press. I hope that everyone will continue to play airsoft and I hope that they will not abuse or misuse these sporting goods. I hope kids realize they are not supposed to bring these to school. And one thing I really hope, I hope the press would stop spinning these occurrences in a negative manner. Airsoft guns are not the first replicas on the market. BB guns have been around forever and they're at every sporting good store with NO RED TIP.
Well, thank you all for stopping by. Let's continue on and hope that my dreams and hopes come true, for everyone's sake.
Well, to another 2 years of airsoft and we'll see where we'll be. Maybe we'll be shooting guns that that are even more realistic. And maybe there will be many more manufacturers than the current ones. Now there are only a handful of AEG manufacturers: ICS, CA, Tokyo Marui, G&G, etc. Gas airsoft guns, only have a few as well: HFC, UHC, KJW, Tokyo Marui, KSC, KWA, etc. I think the most increase has been in the LPEG section with Both Elephant, CYMA, Well, Lorcin, and a number of others all appearing this year.
Let's reshift this from I wonder what will happen in 2 years, to I hope this is what it's going to be like in 2 years. I hope in 2 years, there will be a number of LPEG manufacturers. I hope that their quality improves to become a good lower budget alternative to AEG's. Or a better stepping stone. I hope gas guns become more dependable and many more models are released. I hope AEG's become even more dependable and reliable even when upgraded. I hope the overal quality improves. I hope with all of these airsoft guns, regardless of LPEG, AEG, or gas, electric become cheaper and more realistic.
And most importantly, I hope everyone handles these guns with responsibility. If you read through my blog you will see the negative press. I hope that everyone will continue to play airsoft and I hope that they will not abuse or misuse these sporting goods. I hope kids realize they are not supposed to bring these to school. And one thing I really hope, I hope the press would stop spinning these occurrences in a negative manner. Airsoft guns are not the first replicas on the market. BB guns have been around forever and they're at every sporting good store with NO RED TIP.
Well, thank you all for stopping by. Let's continue on and hope that my dreams and hopes come true, for everyone's sake.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Airsofters play a life-size strategy game
KINGS VALLEY — In the forest I stalk my prey. It is cunning, dangerous and nearly invisible to the naked eye. One wrong move, and that’s the end for you.
Unlike most animals, this one is capable of turning the hunter into the hunted. It is not incredibly fast nor does it possess great physical strength or stamina, yet it is still dangerous.
It walks hunched over and moves slowly yet strikes faster than a snake. I see one!
The beast detects my presence, but it doesn’t know where I am. I close in to get a better shot.
For several meters I crawl on my stomach to get to a suitable vantage point. Once there, I prepare for the kill. The iron sights line up on my victim.
Right before I shoot, I hear a sound from behind. I forgot that they often run in packs. Its shriek goes through me.
“Safety kill.”
Mere words took me down in the place of a pellet.
I am an airsofter, and I love this game — except for the long walk back to respawn.
What is airsoft? It is a real-life battle simulation that uses strategy, teamwork and (at times) insanity.
The ammo is actually 6 mm BBs that weigh about .2 grams. These are fired from replicas of real weapons that are battery-powered. The term for one of these BB-shooting machines is Airsoft Electric Gun. There are also gas-powered guns that operate on “red” or “green” gas.
Then people take their nice shiny weapons out into the forest and shoot each other.
Of course, if you are close to a person who hasn’t seen you, the command “Safety kill” works just as well as any BB and destroys a guy’s pride.
Respawn is the place where you walk to when you die. Once there you can play in the game again.
This is a life-size strategy game. There are many variations of it, but the underlying message is to make your friends beg for mercy. It’s a bonding experience — kinda.
What do you need to play? The basic equipment needed to be on the field is goggles and a gun, but a nice pair of boots are handy to have as well. Camouflage clothing is also essential.
Without it, all I can say is I hope you have on some thick padding.
Contrary to popular belief, many people think that it is just for military practice and all the crazy war-types to share stories. Though partially true, there are also many average guys with regular lives who love the smell of dirt and the feel of a fully automatic replica.
It’s nice to live in Kings Valley because men running around in battle dress uniforms aren’t too uncommon. (By the way, event hosts will give the authorities proper notice before playing a game, so the area is secured for airsoft only.) Of course, airsoft isn’t for everyone. You should have steel nerves and must know how to handle stressful situations with clarity, have a basic understanding of strategy, and not worry about getting a little muddy … or a lot muddy.
If you are a clean person who dislikes stressful situations, this probably isn’t your bag, baby. Airsoft is a fast, fun, exciting thrill. On the field, your best friends are your worst enemies, and after the game, the blood-thirsty soldiers become smiling faces telling jokes and showing off their welts.
Should any of this interest you, there are a myriad of Internet sites and army surplus stores that can suit you up for any potential confrontation. If you are up for the challenge, then I will see you in my sights.
Kyle Taylor is a recent Philomath High School graduate and airsofter waiting for the next target in the woods of Kings Valley.
(For full article, please click on above link)
Unlike most animals, this one is capable of turning the hunter into the hunted. It is not incredibly fast nor does it possess great physical strength or stamina, yet it is still dangerous.
It walks hunched over and moves slowly yet strikes faster than a snake. I see one!
The beast detects my presence, but it doesn’t know where I am. I close in to get a better shot.
For several meters I crawl on my stomach to get to a suitable vantage point. Once there, I prepare for the kill. The iron sights line up on my victim.
Right before I shoot, I hear a sound from behind. I forgot that they often run in packs. Its shriek goes through me.
“Safety kill.”
Mere words took me down in the place of a pellet.
I am an airsofter, and I love this game — except for the long walk back to respawn.
What is airsoft? It is a real-life battle simulation that uses strategy, teamwork and (at times) insanity.
The ammo is actually 6 mm BBs that weigh about .2 grams. These are fired from replicas of real weapons that are battery-powered. The term for one of these BB-shooting machines is Airsoft Electric Gun. There are also gas-powered guns that operate on “red” or “green” gas.
Then people take their nice shiny weapons out into the forest and shoot each other.
Of course, if you are close to a person who hasn’t seen you, the command “Safety kill” works just as well as any BB and destroys a guy’s pride.
Respawn is the place where you walk to when you die. Once there you can play in the game again.
This is a life-size strategy game. There are many variations of it, but the underlying message is to make your friends beg for mercy. It’s a bonding experience — kinda.
What do you need to play? The basic equipment needed to be on the field is goggles and a gun, but a nice pair of boots are handy to have as well. Camouflage clothing is also essential.
Without it, all I can say is I hope you have on some thick padding.
Contrary to popular belief, many people think that it is just for military practice and all the crazy war-types to share stories. Though partially true, there are also many average guys with regular lives who love the smell of dirt and the feel of a fully automatic replica.
It’s nice to live in Kings Valley because men running around in battle dress uniforms aren’t too uncommon. (By the way, event hosts will give the authorities proper notice before playing a game, so the area is secured for airsoft only.) Of course, airsoft isn’t for everyone. You should have steel nerves and must know how to handle stressful situations with clarity, have a basic understanding of strategy, and not worry about getting a little muddy … or a lot muddy.
If you are a clean person who dislikes stressful situations, this probably isn’t your bag, baby. Airsoft is a fast, fun, exciting thrill. On the field, your best friends are your worst enemies, and after the game, the blood-thirsty soldiers become smiling faces telling jokes and showing off their welts.
Should any of this interest you, there are a myriad of Internet sites and army surplus stores that can suit you up for any potential confrontation. If you are up for the challenge, then I will see you in my sights.
Kyle Taylor is a recent Philomath High School graduate and airsofter waiting for the next target in the woods of Kings Valley.
(For full article, please click on above link)
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Homeless Man Arrested After Shooting at Officers with Toy Airsoft Gun
June 8 -- A homeless man was arrested in a Downtown parking structure Wednesday night after firing a pellet gun that appeared to be a real at police officers, according to Santa Monica police.
Patrick Lee Karrigan -- who had six previous brushes with the law for loitering in the parking structures -- was booked for probable cause robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and brandishing a replica firearm, police said.
“In the dimly lit environment, the officers said the weapon looked real,” Police Chief James T. Butts, Jr. wrote in an email to the City Council and the city manager. “The weapon was loaded with pellets and was operational.”
Four police officers -- two on foot patrol, the other two in a squad car -- were responding to a report of an armed gunman, when they spotted the suspect “standing in the shadows,” Butts wrote.
The officers recognized him from a description as Kerrigan, a 19-year-old homeless man with a Mohawk hairstyle who likely lives in the Downtown area, although his id card lists a Mar Vista address, Butts said.
“The suspect stepped out (of the shadows), pointed an Airsoft pellet gun at the officers and fired three times before the officers could get out of the car and engage” him, Butts said.
Once the suspect realized the intended targets were police officers, he threw the toy gun down and said, “It’s a toy gun, it’s a toy gun!” Butts said.
Butts said the officers, who thought the gun was real, showed restraint and arrested the suspect without incident.
“When the officers illuminated the weapon, they discovered it was clear plastic with a red tip,” Butts said.
Council member Richard Bloom, who has been a key player in addressing the City’s homeless problem, said Kerrigan is a “good example” of a suspect who should face a “community court” that can refer him to services, rather than simply putting him back on the streets.
An alternative to sending homeless offenders to County jail, where they will likely get an early release, “community courts” are being successfully used in other cities, including New York, Bloom said.
Bloom and other City officials have been exploring the possibility of using the system locally.
“This seems to be the kind of case where you would have the opportunity to try someone in a community court,” said Bloom, a member of Bring LA Home, a panel of countywide leaders that hammered out a plan to end homelessness in the next ten years.
“We’re just really cycling people through and not really using the resources of the courts to get them into services,” Bloom said.
Patrick Lee Karrigan -- who had six previous brushes with the law for loitering in the parking structures -- was booked for probable cause robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and brandishing a replica firearm, police said.
“In the dimly lit environment, the officers said the weapon looked real,” Police Chief James T. Butts, Jr. wrote in an email to the City Council and the city manager. “The weapon was loaded with pellets and was operational.”
Four police officers -- two on foot patrol, the other two in a squad car -- were responding to a report of an armed gunman, when they spotted the suspect “standing in the shadows,” Butts wrote.
The officers recognized him from a description as Kerrigan, a 19-year-old homeless man with a Mohawk hairstyle who likely lives in the Downtown area, although his id card lists a Mar Vista address, Butts said.
“The suspect stepped out (of the shadows), pointed an Airsoft pellet gun at the officers and fired three times before the officers could get out of the car and engage” him, Butts said.
Once the suspect realized the intended targets were police officers, he threw the toy gun down and said, “It’s a toy gun, it’s a toy gun!” Butts said.
Butts said the officers, who thought the gun was real, showed restraint and arrested the suspect without incident.
“When the officers illuminated the weapon, they discovered it was clear plastic with a red tip,” Butts said.
Council member Richard Bloom, who has been a key player in addressing the City’s homeless problem, said Kerrigan is a “good example” of a suspect who should face a “community court” that can refer him to services, rather than simply putting him back on the streets.
An alternative to sending homeless offenders to County jail, where they will likely get an early release, “community courts” are being successfully used in other cities, including New York, Bloom said.
Bloom and other City officials have been exploring the possibility of using the system locally.
“This seems to be the kind of case where you would have the opportunity to try someone in a community court,” said Bloom, a member of Bring LA Home, a panel of countywide leaders that hammered out a plan to end homelessness in the next ten years.
“We’re just really cycling people through and not really using the resources of the courts to get them into services,” Bloom said.
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