Hopefully this can/will ease some peoples mind of the future of airsoft.

[Kurgan]

Originally Posted by Gryphon

I shudder when I think of the average ASCer going to "educate" their local police force.

Review the idea before posting, it will make you appear smarter if you know what was being suggested.


These regional reps could be picked by local players, we'd need people who can speak intelligently and not get defensive about the subject. The intent would be to familiarize the officers with the sport and encourage them to join us for a game or even take up the sport.


Perhaps we could start lobbying our MP's (members of parliment) to help alleviate the pressure from customs? The idea is to show people how much safer airsoft is compared to other sports such as paintball and the other forms of BB and pellet guns that are openly sold and condoned.

[Gryphon]

Originally Posted by Kurgan

Perhaps we could start lobbying our MP's (members of parliment) to help alleviate the pressure from customs? The idea is to show people how much safer airsoft is compared to other sports such as paintball and the other forms of BB and pellet guns that are openly sold and condoned.

If you truly believe that in the current socio-political climate it is somehow a good idea to recommend to legislators that they endorse and embrace young people dressing in fatigues, running through the forest shooting each other with mock assault weapons, you are missing a large part of the bigger picture. Paintball is accepted because the public image is of bright neon pink outfits and "markers" that look like plumber's nightmares, not pseudo-militia types playing pretend army with replica machine guns ("extreme camping" was a term once used) and posing with said guns pointed to the camera. Both activities of which have received some pretty negative media coverage lately and opinions are likely to be far more polarized against our activities as a result. Facts matter little when someone's mind has been made up.

This is a good idea when the time is right. Now is NOT the time.

[Lawdog]

Lobbying MP's is only useful where:

1) you want a bill
2) you want to stop/modify the bill

Which is not the place that we are in now.

Having said that I think there might be value in drafting written materials that we can use when dealing with municipalities that are passing bylaws against airsoft (ultra vires anyone?) and to use as "leave behinds" with LE or MPs or MPPs when the time comes. It takes a long time to do this well and having strong materials in the "can" for when there is a legislative problem we need to address. We can also put together talking points and "scripts" for people who are dealing with politicians or LE so a really good impression can be made.

Currently there is no regulating body or special interest group for air soft so there is no one to do this work, or make sure it is done well. Doing it ad hoc, would be idiocy.

Which brings us to a larger problem.

LD

[Boxer]

If you truly believe that in the current socio-political climate it is somehow a good idea to recommend to legislators that they endorse and embrace young people dressing in fatigues, running through the forest shooting each other with mock assault weapons, you are missing a large part of the bigger picture.

The current socio-political climate IS the perfect time to enact change of mind within the Gov't. Laws are not written during quiet times. They are enacted and set to law within times of trouble. You don't start a battle once the war is over.
Your idea of what people think of airsoft is wrong. Sure there are people out there that will hold that view. There always is. but this is why there is a need for people to come forward and prove to legislators that we are a proffessional organization. and not a bunch of "young people dressing in fatigues, running through the forest with mock assault weapons". Show them that we do take it seriously and that we are self regulated and very serious about how we handle ourselves as a whole. Show them that through organization, discipline and ethical professionalism, we are not a threat to any Canadian individual or to anyone for that matter. Sitting on our hands and letting the legislators roll in and enact laws and regulations while we wait forthe right so called time is absurd.


But its just my opinion.

S!
Comswim_BK
proud Airsofter since 1998.

[OfficerChan]

I think now would be a good time to bring airsoft to the courts. The situation now, is not going to get any better. It won't blow over with time. With or without that school shooting, there will ALWAYS be people who feel very strongly about guns, not just firearms, airsoft, bow and arrows, sticks and stones. Some like it, some don't. It just the way things are, that won't change. From a short term perspective, now may not be the time to show our nation our hobby. Simply because of what has recently happened. From a long term perspective (which is the view that I hold), its not going to get any better. The longer we wait, the longer the window of opportunity for the next shooting to happen, and the worse its going to look for airsoft.

People simple don't "forget" what has happened in the past. I'm sure a lot of you have been through debates through school. During a debate, BOTH sides gather as much information to negate the opposing opinion. If we wait longer, when we actually do go to court, we are going to be facing a overwhelming amount of evidence, past events. We will have nothing really positive to say about airsoft, while the anti-whatever group, will have amassed an astronomical amount of evidence that will work against us.

[Lawdog]

Originally Posted by OfficerChan

I think now would be a good time to bring airsoft to the courts.

Forgive me for being a party pooper, but what, pray tell, do you mean by "bring airsoft to the courts."?

Do you have the first clue?

LD

[Kuraitenshi]

He is probably refering to some sort of legal challenge against the CBS and its arbitrary seziurs of airsoft and accessories and our right to participate in a sport without fear of finding ourselve on the wrong side of the law. While I see the potential for a positive outcome. There is an equal potential to get our sport permanently banned as well. (That potential is probably greater right now simply because this sort of chalenge would go before a limited tribunal of judges, (no 12 member jury) and well Judges are people too we expect that they would be fair and impartial moderators, but they are human and prone to prejudice especially when there is a chance at making a name for themselves politically within the judicial system.)

[Xeero]

I'm not wholly sure what should be done, but we'd be wise to take moderated steps to sway opinion in the community's favor.

Educating local law enforcemnt (after we've had time to pick apart the chosen presntation to make sure it's impartial and accurate) is a good idea. One thing I'd also suggest is for the local groups to see who would be willing to have a memberlist submitted the the police. The reasoning behind that being that should problems arise they'd be more likely to know if the person in question was just some random shit-disturber or a member of the community. The latter of which I'd also suggest sign a waiver in regards to the group so that the community as a whole doesn't burn for the stupid actions of any one individual.

The other thing I'd recommend is find some ways to get the various local groups doing things for the community. It doesn't need to be big stuff, maybe charity BBQs (next summer obviously), city beautification, etc. Just little things that can send a bid message that we DO give a damn about how we're viewed.

While nothing will change 100% until a final decision comes down from on high as to the exact definition of airsoft and the legal gray area I keep reading it exists in. If we try to do what we can to get our various communities behind us, we'll be FAR better off than if we simply stick in our collective corners.

Not to mention, if in the horrid event the government did seek to ban airsoft entirely then we'd be in a better position to get more signatures for petitions thanks to whatever contacts and impressions we left from other activities in the community.

Take it how you want but just trying to be constructive on things.

[s_t_o_n_e]

i like ure idea, who would be doing the bbq's etc. though?

[PTE. Pyle]

Alright I have put a lot of thought in to this and I have several new ideas. First and foremost, dose anyone know if it would be possible to get airsoft registered and a legit sport e.g.; soccer, baseball, football. Is there anyway we could form an actual national or provincial organization similar to that of any real sport?

Secondly as scared as everyone is that any action could be bad action and if we do act it could result in an outright ban, personally id rather an outright ban now than doing nothing and having it ban next summer, or 2 years when ever. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING NOW BEFORE IT IS TO LATE, OTHERWISE WE WONT HAVE A SPORT TO TRY AND SAVE.

Thirdly im inclined to go to the media and see if CTV or CBC would be willing to do a story, im sure most of us seen the news story in Europe. If we can let the general public know that this sport exists and we are responsible blah blah blah, then maybe when it comes time to fight the “man” we will have a leg to stand on. http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=Bc-6R7jdyaM

If other countries can do it so can Canada, maybe our soccer moms push harder then theirs but we can push back even harder…


Everything aside its nice to see some ideas coming in from some of you. Keep thinking guys.

[Kuraitenshi]

Id recomend that we build comunity support like Xeero said before we do something media wise.

[Xeero]

Definitely. Actually I had a good, simple way to help build positive recognition come up today while I was at work. We had a spokesperson from the United Way in talking about raising funds, etc. Basically these guys Distribute funds for all local charities, etc. and can even send money to charities in other provinces, etc. Even if that exact organization doesn't exist in other communities, similar ones should be around. The best thing to do would be to raise and donate money for them and then provided enough is raised use that to gain some positive publicity. A couple events like that and then you'd be well off to do something with your local news station. Don't necessarily shoot for something like CBC or such (though it's a good target eventually). Start with local awareness and slowly build up. Basically if we keep all our cards on the table and show the authorities/government we give a damn (and make up a decent chunk of positive votes) then we'll be in good shape. The key to this is that we don't rush.

[Killz]

We have airsoft day at the parliments like 420 day. I dont think we should show up with guns drawn, but we should play a game on the grounds, I could see the game now rescue the Priminister form talaban invaders. But have a sit in like the hippiy's. Of coure with there permishion.

[Kuraitenshi]

The order of the actions is critical, for a bunch of us to show up there in bdu splendor would be like kicking a hornets nest even without our AEGs. #1 priority should be building community support, followed by positive media, once the population is aware of how our rights to participate in a sport (need to get airsoft recognized as a sport by the general public like paintball) is known then and only then should any political action like a sitin on the parlament be considered.

[Xeero]

Now mind you on that last step, please do not wear your BDUs, spend some of your airsoft savings on a smart getup from moores. Trust me, the parliament secuirty folks will be MUCH more understanding of you if you're well dressed