Safety of Air Soft Guns

Other than the orange tip, air soft guns look like real guns.

Air soft guns are fake guns that shoot bright orange plastic pellets. Air soft guns are used in target practice and for playing games. Young and older teens are attracted to the idea of playing air soft gun games. Parents may not know what an air soft gun is, or the risks involved. Parents might assume it is just a toy, and grant permission. Air soft guns can be dangerous if safety procedures are not practiced.

Realistic Appearance

Police might mistake an air soft gun for the real thing.

Other than the orange tip on the end of the barrel, air soft guns look like real guns. Air soft guns replicate various types of lethal firearms in appearance and weight. According to Robin Schoettler Fox of Parenthood.com, owners of air soft guns sometimes use black tape or paint to cover up the black tip so the gun resembles the real thing even more. Even with the orange tip, which can easily be visually missed, civilians or police officers might assume it is a real gun and shoot the bearer of the air soft gun to prevent threat. To prevent this from happening, make sure you and your child only use the air soft guns at commercial air soft parks and arenas. If one is not available then make sure you play with the air soft guns away from the public, such as on acres of private property.

Tell your child that if an encounter with the police should ever occur she needs to remain calm, cooperate, follow orders, stay still, and when spoken to, tell the officer it is just an air soft gun. Not only is it dangerous, it is a federal offense to remove the orange tip.

Schools

expulsion, suspension or arresting are results of bringing air soft guns to school.

Your child should never bring his air soft gun to school with him. Whether a real gun or not, if an air soft gun is brought to school your child could get suspended, expelled, or arrested. In fact, it is a good idea to keep the air soft gun locked away unless permission by you.

Safety Gear

Safety goggles is only one of the types of gear you will need.

Whenever using air soft guns, all the proper safety gear should be worn. Shooting goggles, full face masks such as a paintball mask, thick jacket, gloves, hat, hard soled shoes, knee pads and elbow pads are the proper safety gear. There should be no bare skin showing. Without the proper gears you are at risk of serious eye, tooth, and other injuries.

Shooting Safety

Use general gun safety even with air soft guns.

To play air soft games or use air soft guns for shooting practice, you need to treat it like it is a real gun and practice gun safety. Never put your finger on the trigger unless you are ready to shoot. Never point or shoot your air soft gun at someone who is not fully geared. Do not shoot at someone who is directly next to you or in front of you. Never point or shoot an animal.

Be aware of your surroundings and don't shoot the air soft gun at all if you could accidentally hit someone who wasn't in gear, an animal or break something.

Rules and Boundaries

Agree on the rules.

Establish rules and boundaries with every person playing. Make sure you follow the rules, and are not bothering anyone. Make sure everyone understands and agree to the rules. If anyone wants to stop, or wants you to stop, then stop immediately.

References

• Airsplat: Airsoft Toy Gun Safety
• Find Law: Airsoft Guns
• Parenthood: Air Soft Guns, Parents on the Front Line of a Risky Hobby: Robin Schoettler Fox: 2004