Airsoft War/War on Airsoft

Good morning. I wrote 1203 words yesterday that will not get posted because it was a somewhat crappy day and I was really just blowing off steam because I really was that close to exploding.

Yesterday morning we got a new hot water heater and furnace. Now both are hooked up and connected and working the way the originals ought to have been but weren't. No wonder it was always so cold in the house. I guess the job took longer than the guys doing it anticipated but at least it is done. Now I'm going to have to take over the thermostat because it was at 65 last night and I thought I was going to melt. If we have it at 65 all the time, it will be too hot during the night and during the day there won't be any reason to have a fire.

This morning Amena was telling me about a new bill in Massachusetts that would in effect stop the use of Airsoft guns in the state. I'm never satisfied to just hear something, I have to find out what the story is behind it. So I did a search this morning (it sure is nice to have the internet for these things) and discovered that there is indeed a bill on the books. This is what we have:

SECTION 1. Section 121 of chapter 140 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the figure “131Q”, inserted by section 19 of chapter 284 of the acts of 2014, and inserting in place thereof the following figure:— 131R.

SECTION 2. Said section 121 of said chapter 140 is hereby amended by striking out the definition of “Imitation firearm”, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-

“Imitation firearm”, any air rifle or hand gun, pellet gun or “B-B” gun or any device or object made of plastic, wood, metal or any other material which substantially duplicates or can reasonably be perceived to be an actual firearm, rifle, shotgun, air rifle or hand gun, pellet gun, or “B-B” gun, unless such air rifle or hand gun, pellet gun, “B-B” gun or device or object: (i) is colored other than black, blue, silver or aluminum; (ii) is marked with a non-removable orange stripe which is at least 1 inch in width and runs the entire length of the barrel on each side and the front end of the barrel; and (iii) has a barrel at least 1 inch in diameter that is closed for a distance of not less than one-half inch from the front-end of its barrel with the same material of which the imitation firearm is made. “Imitation firearm” does not include any non-firing replica of an antique firearm, the original of which was designed, manufactured and produced prior to 1898.

SECTION 3. Said chapter 140 is hereby amended by inserting after section 131Q, inserted by section 70 of chapter 284 of the acts of 2014, the following section:-

Section 131R. (a) No person shall import, manufacture, sell, hold for sale or distribute within the state any imitation firearm unless such device is imported, manufactured, sold, held for sale and distributed: (i) solely for subsequent transportation in interstate commerce; or (ii) solely for lawful use in a theatrical production, including a motion picture, television or stage production.

(b) A violation of subsection (a) shall constitute an unfair or deceptive trade act or practice under section 2 of chapter 93A.

(c) A law enforcement officer may confiscate any imitation firearm from a person in possession thereof unless the person is possessing the imitation firearm:(i) solely for subsequent transportation in interstate commerce; or (ii) solely for lawful use in a theatrical production, including a motion picture, television or stage production.

I'm thinking I don't like this. I don't personally have an airsoft gun unless you count the one that was Daniel's. Cedric does although he managed to lose some parts that make it inoperable. I think the problem is not the guns themselves but the operators.

This is what Daniel's looks like. I wouldn't mistake this for a 'real' gun. Would you?

I do understand that it is difficult to distinguish between an airsoft gun and the real deal. Many of those I've seen look much like the real deal. (Daniel's doesn't, by the way.) I can understand how someone would feel threatened if they were threatened by someone with an airsoft gun. I do. I get it. HOWEVER, I don't think making them illegal is the answer.

This is like Cedric's although his doesn't say Thurus on it. This one, especially if you didn't see the orange tip, might be mistaken for a 'real' gun.

Consider two scenarios.

First, a man who is known for being violent is seen carrying a gun in the direction of the home of his ex-wife. Said ex-wife has a restraining order against the man but he continues on. Upon reaching the house, he bangs on the door and threatens to shoot if she doesn't acquiesce to his demands. She calls the police because she thinks the man has a real gun and she knows his violent past.

Second, a high school boy has in his possession a gun. It looks real but he has a passion for airsoft sports. He has the proper safety and protective equipment and either uses his airsoft guns for target practice in his backyard or in the local airsoft arena.

For one thing, airsoft guns are real guns. They are different from those used for hunting and they aren't likely to be found in a display of antiques but they are real. They also aren't really soft. There isn't anything soft about the actual physical nature of the gun and if you happen to get shot by one, you aren't likely to think the impact was soft. In fact, used at close range, it is possible that damage could be caused by one.

The man in the first scenario should be treated as what he is—a man carrying a gun who, although he may not intend to harm, has a violent past and should perhaps not be in possession of any type of firearm. He may have a criminal background which might be such that he absolutely should not be in possession of any firearm. He obviously doesn't care and means to get his point across.

The young man in the second scenario is responsible and should not be punished for the actions of others.

Ultimately, I believe that is what the entire gun control debate boils down to.

So, what am I going to do about this? I think I might write a letter or two (so much easier with computers now than it was when I was in high school and each one had to be typed out individually) and I'll encourage anyone who either has an interest in airsoft or freedom in general to do the same.