Police warn public on replica guns (Winnipeg Sun)

[etd]

honestly it all depends where you live. I called my local station and they stated they have no problem with us playing airsoft in public parks, even at the water front, as long as its supervised, some part of the gun is clear and we watch our fire around the public. Not that we play in public.. its just better to play at a field to avoid complications. I guess what I'm saying is some areas have more lax attitudes towards airsoft where others seem to be targeting airsofters to make a public statement or to correct idiots that don't care about safety. Judging by the news this seems to be happening a lot out West. Even if an individual is responsible for causing a scene I still have some thoughts in the back of my head that lead me to believe out west our group is being targeted. I have yet to hear anything relating to airsoft in Northern Ontario and we are working hard to keep it that way.

[AngelusNex]

Originally Posted by etd

honestly it all depends where you live. I called my local station and they stated they have no problem with us playing airsoft in public parks, even at the water front, as long as its supervised, some part of the gun is clear and we watch our fire around the public. Not that we play in public.. its just better to play at a field to avoid complications. I guess what I'm saying is some areas have more lax attitudes towards airsoft where others seem to be targeting airsofters to make a public statement or to correct idiots that don't care about safety. Judging by the news this seems to be happening a lot out West. Even if an individual is responsible for causing a scene I still have some thoughts in the back of my head that lead me to believe out west our group is being targeted. I have yet to hear anything relating to airsoft in Northern Ontario and we are working hard to keep it that way.

sounds like those cops (or more than likely just some receptionist at the station) has no real idea what guns you'd be using, cause frankely "just watch your fire around the public" doesn't cut it in my books, airsoft guns are dangerous to anybody without proper eye protection and in range. Also, even clear receiver guns look real when being used (forearm covers up most of the receiver)

[etd]

they okayed walmart clearsoft here. 100% clear.

[Muffin]

Originally Posted by etd

they okayed walmart clearsoft here. 100% clear.

In your first post you stated that the guns you use have clear parts, which is it? Regardless, airsoft should only be played at the appropriate locations where it is allowed. NOT in public parks.

[BloodSport]

etd, considering the OPP and local city police I know personally in North Bay I find that hard to believe. I know how many calls they have received from idiots playing with BB guns along Lakeshore drive in the local parks there. More then likely you talk to some receptionist or temp who didnt know what you were talking about or where you were playing in public parks in the bay.

And in case your wondering how someone from small town Saskatchewan knows cops in the Bay, I lived there for 13 years and was a volunteer firefighter up there. Got to know a lot of them, and went to highschool with others.

[Griffen]

No surprise to me. Two days ago i was at SIR and an older "dad" and kid...maybe 12 walked up to the airsoft section and the kid pointed to a AK. The sales guy asked if he could help and the "dad" said "nope thanks we got what we came for" the kid held the gun to the till...the dad paid and they left. No questions asked. These kids dont get guns on there own...its kinda hard to shoplift a airsoft gun.

[Death March]

They had this story on CTV news lastnight and if you see the AEG's they had they are not clearsoft,most were G&P etc. "High end" AEG's. But your right they had to get them from some place and I'm sure thats what the police will be looking at. The Police stated that they don't have an issue when used for gaming,but they guy's that are getting nailed are not using them at games.

[Styrak]

If you're an idiot you'll get it taken away by the cops
If you're not you won't.

What's so hard to fathom about that?

[Gunman]

By law, any air gun (Airsoft, bb's or pellets) are illegal to be discharged within city limits unless you have been exempt by the CFO. Most police officers that say things like "as long as you keep it away from public eyes" is not speaking on behalf of the law. ie. good luck getting them to put that on paper.

[Death March]

Most Police don't know where they fall with in the Law,You can ask five different cops and you'll get five different answers.It just not on there "To do List".It's usally at the bottom compared to other things they deal with or until they get a call out saying,"Hey I just seen a Guy with a Gun". It's just that this kinda stuff makes them look alittle harder at what we do! I'm sure they know most game'ers are good and it's just a few bad ones,but they get sick of it too thinking is that Kid have a real one or not? Boy how times have changed from when I was a Kid.

[Raven_Shield]

My brother got in trouble with the police because he was loading his gun the drive way before one of his clearsoft games.The cops stopped and one of them drew their gun on my brother who is 13. I was soi mad at him. I repeatedly told him not to just wave the gun around but he seemed to think it was okay because it was clear. Needless to say I had him sit down with the officer and talk to him. The cop told him that Airsofting was fine if it played on private property. Also another pretty obvious rule is to treat the airsoft gun like a real fire arm. that is the only way to be sure that nothing like that was going to happen again. I dont think my Brother will be doing that any more. But ya i just wanted to share one of my own experiences with this issue. I know my bro is a n idiot but he did not understand so try not to razz on him to much.

[sortie39]

Shame on this country's law system on replica firearms.
I swear such a circumstance like that wont happen to the us or those european countries!

[Con Murder]

For the record I did the backyard thing at 18. Not that it was right or anything, all my neighbors know me on a first name basis so they were cool and nothing went wrong (except the game lamps that got shot out). The truth is though, I wouldnt wast my time with it again cqb hurts like hell.

[CerberusNet]

Originally Posted by Gunman

By law, any air gun (Airsoft, bb's or pellets) are illegal to be discharged within city limits unless you have been exempt by the CFO. Most police officers that say things like "as long as you keep it away from public eyes" is not speaking on behalf of the law. ie. good luck getting them to put that on paper.

All "LAW" differs from place to place, I know for a fact that Airsoft guns, when made with a clear bottom receiver OR fully clear body DO NOT fall into the category of firearms or replicas and therefor have no set rules or guidelines for our area to follow which is why Canadian Tire and WalMart are selling them so openly. Even to UNDERAGE kids. As they are toys that project objects that are not made of foam (Nerf guns) and are similar in a way to BB/Pellet guns they require the user to be at least 18. Many employees do not know or care about this which is why we see a lot of stupid kids running around shooting out their friends eye or tooth. This is one thing that makes our beloved sport look so dangerous, stupid irresponsible people.

Regarding the police point of view, I have spoken to many officers on a number of occasions, including the big guy in charge at the BR Branch, I will call Chief b/c don't remember his rank but it's unimportant here. Only a couple of them where unfamiliar with the subject, including the Chief. WhenI explained everything to him he decided there was no real threat to the public being presented assuming all involved where completely aware of the risks and where complying to them to ensure all around safety for players aswell as spectators/public. Now, we shouldn't go playing in public parks or anything but there are many tree lots in my area we play at where we randomly encounter "civilians". The obvious necessary measures are taken to prevent any injuries or getting a "bad rep" in the area. (Like calling seize fire, removing masks and placing all guns in holsters or slung on backs and POLITELY informing the non-players of the situation and asking them to vacate) A few of the officers I've spoken with actually asked if they could join a few of our games, none have actually come out though but the fact they are interested enough to want to play shows it is accepted enough for us not to worry about being pounded by the judges hammer.

Finally, I know this has been stated MANY times before...
As long as we play safe and responsibly and make sure everyone else does the same we have nothing to worry about! It is up to each and every player to ensure the survival of this sport!

Originally Posted by Raven_Shield

Also another pretty obvious rule is to treat the airsoft gun like a real fire arm.

Very good point, I hope everyone does this. Even though they look like toys, people who are unfamiliar with these have no idea how different they really are.

[mirrage]

Originally Posted by sortie39

Shame on this country's law system on replica firearms.
I swear such a circumstance like that wont happen to the us or those european countries!

Don't swear my friend....
I leave in Greece and a month ago 3 boys have been arrested by the crew of a patrol vehicle.They were 18 years old and they have been in a friend's house to prank him because it was his birthday.After that they all went to a small river in order to shoot a few bbs but someone saw them and call the police.
It was dark maybe past midnight and the officers where driving full speed when they saw a vehicle matching the description they had.They made a hard u turn and light the siren.The boys pull over but the officers sked them to step out and have the car inspected.
They found the AEGs and arrested the boys.Now they are out with a restricting order and they will be judged at September I think.They used their AEGs in public and this is a felony in Greece even if the arm is made of paper.Once the police caught a guy because he used a water pistol to robe a bank.Among the charges was one for armored robbery, illegal carrying of arms and illegal use of arms!!!
He has been found guilty for all of them!