daaaa... uh oh, sorry boss... looks like it cant be done

I believe most of us (including me) are in favour of lying low for now. But think about it folks, if real guns are legal in this country, why should airsoft be outlawed?

I'd suggest, if the crackdown still continues for an extended period of time, then we, as citizens and comrades in airsoft, should organize an active campaign to make the public and politicians aware of the true nature of airsoft. People are generally afraid of what they don't understand, and it for sure won't help if we continue to bend over and take it in the a$$.

IF the cops continues the raids and crackdown, to a level that ordinary airsofters cannot continue playing, I believe the admins across the country should meet up online and organize the campaign. If we are going to lose this sport and lose our collection, we might as well put up a good fight.

Of course, none of us wants to see the day come. However, when it is upon us, I'll be the first one to volunteer to do something. *I'm not in panic, just concerned with the recent trend.*

frag tag?
those things look like they're made out of building blocks. wouldn't play with those things. disclamer yes, age verr or restrict the gallery access to members only yes. Dispite the whole "it makes it look like we have something to hide", is it really so uncommon for web groups to only cater to members? yes we should keep our heads down but we should also be activly advocating our sport. everyone here probably knows someone who isn't in the sport, but would be interested in participating. Grow this thing exponetially, eventually there will be so many people with an interest, we would have a political sway if we agreed to vote for politicians who would at the very least leave us alone.

Real guns are legal, machine guns, automatic rifles and many of the pistols we game with (real versions) are far from legal. They are banned.

laying low sounds alright but won't blocking everything make them want it even more?

Thats kind of harsh given the precedent set by others there Alex.

Maybe I should start up a service for fellow canadians where you can send your guns to me to store down here in Texas

I have been following this and keeping up with all these threads, and locked threads since it all started, and Just in case anyone is interested, here is simply an opinion from someone who know's better than 95% of you how it truly works.

First, just so it's clear. Rangers/DEA were NOT at any time raided, or shut down. We chose to move on to other things in our lives some time ago.

Second, all those saying "the sky is falling"..... well from my knowledge of things and my viewpoint right now, it is this time. Will airsoft in Canada pull through? I think it can at some point, yes, however, it may very well need something like mentioned above to make that happen.

Third, why did this all happen now? Simply because it's politics. Someone, somewhere in the political circle of this country who had a personal hard-on for airsoft, gained enough power to manupulate the CBSA. There is soooo much no one understands about the inside working of what these retailers had to go through on a daily basis to keep this sport alive for all of you guys. The whole thing was a cat/mouse game all the time. It was a constant battle of CFA and Customs simply making up their own rules, and the retailers trying to counter act their bullshit to keep things rolling!

Do I think they will go so far as to worry about ASC forums? Hell no. Do I think they will worry about raiding games? Hell no! But simply MY opinion based on my dealing with these people all these years! I think they will worry about going after, and shutting down the main players only. Once that has happened, they SHOULD be satisfied, and it should start to blow over. At that time, somehow, the re-building will need to start!

In my opionion, Customs alone is the largest crime syndicate this country has today. Not only have I heard like all the rest of us has, but seen first hand, with my own eyes, customs break the laws of this country, and freely get away with it. Why do they get away with it? Because they can. They have to much power, no one to police them, and no one has the resources or will to get the public to rise up fight back! I certainly would not have hundreds of thousands of $$ to try and prove their lies, made up laws, and their bullshit they heap on the little guys EVERY DAY.

Anyways, I am getting off topic a bit, and allowing my personal feelings to get off track here:) So all I was really trying to tell you guys is that this IS more serious than it has EVER been. This WILL be a large blow to this sport. This is NO ONE'S fault (any of the retailers) except our own f*****D up Canadian laws, and instead of concentrating so much on pictures on some message board, maybe you should start thinking about how this sport can start to be re-built after this storm passes. Absolutely, they COULD be on these boards, and they could be reading this post. Hell, I COULD get a visit due to this post at my house in the next week, but as you can tell, not too worried about that! (And if it happens, I will be the first to post it here, and let you know!!) :cheers:

And that is simply an opinion from a x-"mouse" :salute: Take it or leave it! Agree with it, or don't. It's a semi free Country :grin:

Just curious DEA, can you tell us who this political "someone" is? Or shall we dance with ghosts?

LD

Have no idea who this would be. I have not kept up with the political players for some time now. I can only tell you this is how it comes about the majority of time though!

Very well said Randy.

Randy,

Thanks for everything you have done for the airsoft community over the years. You've done a lot.. and many times above the call of duty. And thanks for sharing your views on the present situation as you see it. I see troubled waters ahead for airsoft, and I hope somehow and someway there can be a positive outcome in the end.

In my years I have seen Canada ban, restrict and censor so many things that maybe I worry more then the next guy. I would like to take the attitude that some have where they assume everything will be o.k if they just stay quiet, or hope the problem goes away in the morning.. but I can't. Because in the past that sort of plan never works. Unfortunately, although I do want to do something..I don't know what to do. It's a very helpless feeling.

Thank you Randy for the clarification. And my gorgeous Dragunov works flawlessly.

Yes, thanks Randy. I know that you did things by the book and you would let us know what the scoop was.