Airsoft guns look too realistic

[Rogerbutthead]

I was at Big 5 buying another shotgun and was admiring their collection of Airsoft weapons for sale. They look just like the real thing from even a close distance. I was thinking I would not let any children near these toys due to the fact that people may get shot by others who thought they were real.

https://www.thetrace.org/2021/10/airsoft-gun-replica-police-shooting-tarpon-springs-database/

Quick research shows around 245 people killed carrying Airsoft weapons - by the police. The Airsoft weapons I saw on display didn't have any orange or pink markings that would indicate that it wasn't a real gun.

What is the consensus here on people playing with these replicas - out on the street - ?

[CessnaDriver]

I think it's obvious, don't do it.

All you see is GUN!!!!!!

[elSquid]

The Airsoft weapons I saw on display didn't have any orange or pink markings that would indicate that it wasn't a real gun.

Were they airsoft or BB guns?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HWTQR7W

[mshill]

Quick research shows around 245 people killed carrying Airsoft weapons - by the police. The Airsoft weapons I saw on display didn't have any orange or pink markings that would indicate that it wasn't a real gun.

What is the consensus here on people playing with these replicas - out on the street - ?

The consensus is playing with a replica/toy gun, that is indistinguishable from a real one, out on the street is stupid. Since kids (and some young adults) are stupid bad stuff will happen.

That being said, however, you can bet that the overwhelming majority of those 245 people were not just playing on the street. I would put money down they were armed robbers, car jackers, and suicide by cop. The article conflates the criminal use of toys with kids just out playing with them "in the streets".

[Dvrjon]

I was at Big 5 buying another shotgun and was admiring their collection of Airsoft weapons for sale. They look just like the real thing from even a close distance. I was thinking I would not let any children near these toys due to the fact that people may get shot by others who thought they were real.

https://www.thetrace.org/2021/10/airsoft-gun-replica-police-shooting-tarpon-springs-database/

Quick research shows around 245 people killed carrying Airsoft weapons - by the police. The Airsoft weapons I saw on display didn't have any orange or pink markings that would indicate that it wasn't a real gun.

What is the consensus here on people playing with these replicas - out on the street - ?

I think your post illustrates the real problem. In asking the question, you can’t even decide if they are weapons, toys or replicas.

I wouldn’t give LEO a chance to decide on the street.

[Notpc]

My kids wouldn't be out in the streets playing with them. They would be in the backyard, or out in the desert plinking around the campsite, always supervised. Parenting is the answer, not clutching pearls.

[PartyBarge]

Paint ball is more fun anyways.

[Tarmy]

[Rogerbutthead]

They supposedly were Airsoft weapons at Big 5 - haven't been in a Big 5 for quite a while. They don't sell many guns in San Jose anymore at Big 5 - unlike the 80's when Big 5 was the Mecca for military surplus guns.

The gun display cabinet was almost all Airsoft. Maybe 10 types of shotguns on one rack - everything else basically replica stuff. Employee stated they sell a lot of it.

If someone pointed one of those Airsoft weapons at me and I was armed, I'd kill them. Can't expect other people to be different. Really nice Airsoft examples of Makarovs and Kalashnikovs - which interested me. Expected the Sigs, Glocks, Berettas, M4s, etc.

Basically, the gun counter at Big 5 is an Airsoft counter.

I don't even know what Airsoft guns shoot - expect it is those little white pellets I saw for sale with them - guessing they were plastic - are they considered BBs?

[Wheellock]

I've seen them in stores as well. I couldn't tell them from a "real" firearm without handling them. Lots of people are into them and have big war games all over the globe; decked out in camo and night vision, etc. It looks fun if you are into that sort of thing.

Side note, I think the orange tip is only for imported pieces.

[The Gleam]

When I was a kid, all the toy guns looked like real guns, whether they were cap-guns, squirt-guns, or shot little yellow balls. They were predominantly black, gray, chrome, and/or brown - none had an orange anything.

And we were taught to handle all guns as if they were real ( and we had real guns too. )

Maybe that's the 'real' problem now days; kids are no longer taught to treat toy guns as if they were real, so when they get older, they treat real guns as if they were toys.

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[Scotty]

They have an orange tip, makes them safer.

[bohoki]

that was the whole point of airsoft for the last 30 years they have been "replicas" squirt guns used to be that way

but even crossman and daisy co2 bb pistols are very realistic and have no orange tips

[Turbinator]

Pretty sure local California law requires Airsoft guns to be marked in such a way so as to distinguish them from firearms - red / orange muzzles.

The guns you saw on display at Big 5 were probably BB guns shooting .177. Lots of nicely realistic CO2 guns available out there nowadays, no red / orange markings required as they shoot a metal projectile.

Turby

[elSquid]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkyHmedIprE