Airosft at the range...wow!

[drkphibr]

Just saw a thread about shooting a BB gun in the back yard that reminded me of this last weekend.

So we're at the Livermore range and were in a cease fire. I noticed the target a lane near us put up at the 10 yard line was shorter than what they allow (3' instead of 6'). As the RSO was walking by, I pointed out to him they may not know the target size/yardage "rules" and the RSO said it was okay for him to do it. Before I could process "WTF?", the RSO informed us they were shooting an airsoft gun. Then I did say WTF? Apparently, this guy just moved his family to the area, bought his son an airsoft (bright yellow plastic BB's) gun and when asked about shooting it around his apartment, he was told by the policy the "firearm" policy. I guess the policy won't differentiate between airsoft, paintball or any other type of "gun" when you ask them about whether you can shoot it in your yard and only communicate the official firearm policy.

So this guy brings his son to the range so his boy can shoot his airsoft. The RSO was VERY cool about it and very helpful to the guy and his kid, even moving the target closer to 5 yd so he could hit it and the plastic pellets would actually mark the target. At that time the range wasn't busy, so I hope they didn't charge him to shoot as the fees would have been more expensive than the airsoft gun and BB's.

I remember when i was a kid and my fun with BB guns. Same for what my sons (now adults) were able to experience. What are we becoming? Really, airsoft can't shoot in the neighborhood or backyard? Wow. Talk about taking things away from us. I was pretty shocked to say the least. BB guns were a right of passage as a youth. I guess no more.

[SURVIVOR619]

I remember when i was a kid and my fun with BB guns. Same for what my sons (now adults) were able to experience. What are we becoming? Really, airsoft can't shoot in the neighborhood or backyard? Wow. Talk about taking things away from us. I was pretty shocked to say the least. BB guns were a right of passage as a youth. I guess no more.

Nice to read the RO was a gent about it! And cool Dad for doing whatever necessary to help his son move further into becoming a man...and closer to hopefully real firearms like us.

I, too, agree that the question "What are we becoming?" seems more and more relevant.

At least there are still some of us left out there.

Thanks for sharing a neat experience!

Respect, Survivor

[jben]

I don't know about airsoft. But most cities have ordinances against bb/pellet guns.
It ain't like the old days...

[Aces and 8s]

That's quite dumb. I would have just set up a sticky target that catches the pellets inside my house. Cool though that the range was accommodating.

[cannon]

Good on the range for letting the kid shoot.

[CSACANNONEER]

I commend the parents and the range for encouraging this new, young shooter. I would actually like to see more of this. It would help teach kids proper gun safety, range etiquette and that airsoft guns are not toys.

I've seen a kid shoot an IDPA match with an airsoft gun.

I've met my little cousins (about 5 and 9) at Angeles once. They started out shooting their Daisy Red Ryder and Buck because, they wanted to shoot them. They ended up shooting a variety of firearms including my 1919.

[anthonyca]

These anti airsoft and toy gun laws are aimed at stopping future generations from falling in love with guns. I remember how cool our plastic Uzi and Mac 10s were to my brother and I.

Ranges and the NRA should put out literature on how to throw airsoft parties. I have met very few people, especially young people who didn't have a great time shooting any form of gun under the right conditions. We need to start the hobby in as many people as possible. It's just such a pain in the rear with all of the transport laws,evil feature laws, waiting periods, proof of residency etc. and the other side knows this.

[CBruce]

I shoot my airsoft gun in the house...

[RileyBean]

That's quite dumb. I would have just set up a sticky target that catches the pellets inside my house. Cool though that the range was accommodating.

I get what you are saying, and with a Big 5 airsoft gun that is totally true - but I have seen full metal, Colt marked, "M-4" fully automatic "airsoft guns" that shoot over 500fps. [oops.... I shouldn't have said that - now Yee is going to after those too.........]

[Kokopelli]

I set up an airsoft range for my kids and grandkids in my garage. Unfortunately, they dent an aluminum sectional garage door.

[KR_H]

I remember when i was a kid and my fun with BB guns. Same for what my sons (now adults) were able to experience. What are we becoming? Really, airsoft can't shoot in the neighborhood or backyard? Wow. Talk about taking things away from us. I was pretty shocked to say the least. BB guns were a right of passage as a youth. I guess no more.

The 10-year-old mentioned some time back that they'd really get in trouble with the yard duty ladies if they pretended to shoot each other (index and middle finger pointed straight forward and thumb up) during recess.

[MiddleKingdom]

I'm holding onto a 10/22, Sig 522 & M&P 15-22 for my 17 y/o nephew. He has at least double that invested in Airsoft guns and gear. He borrows my holsters when he "plays" Airsoft at the outdoor Airsoft center.

[2shotjoe]

I just shoot mine in the garage.

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[Fjold]

Good job for the Dad and the Range!

[pc_load_letter]

These anti airsoft and toy gun laws are aimed at stopping future generations from falling in love with guns. I remember how cool our plastic Uzi and Mac 10s were to my brother and I.

Thankfully I don't think it's working. Just as my buddies and I ran around the neighborhood with cap guns back in the early 80's, the young kids in the neighborhood today are sporting airsoft and still playing Army.

Pretty cool to see.