Airsoft Corps, CA SB798, Bushman

[AirsoftCorps]

For those that don't know, I co-host Airsoft Corps, the Voice of Airsoft, but I am also part of the command structure of a large airsoft team, the Airsoft Outlaws. This is the text from the Airsoft Outlaws' official response to CA798. We also invited the Honorable Kevin de Leon to call and speak with us during the next airing of Airsoft Corps, the Voice of Airsoft this Saturday, May 7th @5pm central. I kinda doubt it...don't figure he'll want to speak with a bunch of airsofters about turning their airsoft guns the color of Skittles. I guess that could lead to some funny war cries - "TASTE THE RAINBOW, SUCKA'!!!!....Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!" Listen in here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/airsoftcorps



May 6th, 2011

Senator de Leon:

The Members of the Airsoft Outlaws, an Arkansas based Airsoft MilSim Group, are writing to voice our opposition to SB 798. Although this bill does not directly involve our state, it does affect the entire airsoft community. Our teamā€™s collective experience encompasses Special Forces military as well as law enforcement. It is this experience we draw on to contend this bill will in fact put children, civilians, and police officers at greater risk. We further assert it will hinder police officers in distinguishing between real and replica firearms, and exacerbate the difficulties they already face.

Airsoft devices have the external features of a firearm, but are entirely unsuited for conversion into a real firearm. Airsoft devices are not toys, and those sold in the U.S. already require a permanently affixed orange muzzle tip. For their own safety, police officers work under the assumption that, until proven otherwise, any brandished orange tipped gun may be a real firearm. Logically, it follows that police officers will begin to assume any gun-shaped object may be a real firearm, regardless of it being partially or completely covered in a bright color. Criminals could benefit by disguising real firearms as toys, thereby potentially causing a hesitation of the officer to react to the disguised threat, placing the officer in danger.

Airsoft devices are not intended for use by unsupervised minors. To color an airsoft device similar to a toy gun would also be detrimental to the personal safety of children. The bright coloration could cause a child to assume an airsoft device is harmless, when they actually do pose a serious threat to unprotected eyes.

Solutions to issues dealing with mishandling of airsoft devices do need to be discussed, and it is our firm stance SB 798 is not a solution. A true solution would not burden those that seek to use their airsoft device responsibly. Despite responsible use, and requirements of the current laws, there is still a minority of people, primarily minors, who have access to an airsoft device and choose to use it irresponsibly, even dangerously. It stands to reason, a true solution would address these problem individuals. The United Kingdom has enacted legislation such as the Crime and Disorder Act, the Child Protection Order, and the Firearms Acts. Although airsoft devices fall below the present licensing regime, the Firearms Acts contain a package of statutory controls intended to prevent their misuse. If these laws are violated, the violation will carry a stiff penalty* including fines and/or imprisonment.

CA 798 will only punish the responsible airsoft player, place minors at undue risk, and hinder the efforts of law enforcement. Instead, lay the blame at the source and enact legislation that will provide consequences for those that act outside the scope of reasonable and responsible airsoft device ownership.


* http://www.parliament.the-stationery...ff/95/9508.htm
TABLE 2: AIR WEAPON OFFENCES AND PRESENT PENALTIES

[Fluffy Boy 32]

[AirsoftCorps]

Airsoft GI joins the discussion about California's SB798, as our very special guest. Get your comments and questions ready and call in to tell us what you think or ask your question. Airsoft GI's Tim Seargeant sits in with the Airsoft Corps crew!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/airsoftcor ... -seargeant

14 May 2011 @ 5pm central time. Call (424) 243-9634 to talk to the hosts.

Airsoft Corps discusses topics such as airsoft weaponry, events, field craft, and tactics. Hosted by Airsoft Outlaws 1/21 Battalion Executive Officer Aaron Howard (Copper), former 82nd Airborne Paratrooper Mike Arnold (Hathcock), and former Army Special Forces sniper Shane Vanaman (Bushman).

[chrisdetrin]

i paint most of my stuff in hello kitty theme soo yea... go for it comifornia my airsoft stuff will just look like my real stuff.

[AirsoftCorps]

[Fluffy Boy 32]

*Begins to cry*

[kirzach]

Just one more reason to love Commiefornia.

[AirsoftCorps]

Here's a link to the current version (the most current as far as I know) of SB798.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bil ... n_v97.html

Rereading the Bill seems to indicate, per Section 1(b), that coloring the exterior of the device would exempt it from imitation firearm status.

[AirsoftCorps]

Keep in mind that Airsoft Corps is a live call in show for all players (me and my co-hosts included)...if you have a cool event coming up - tell us all...you know of a sweet place to play - tell us all...you got an uber awesome team that distributes pwnage like stupid crazy, and you want to shamelessly plug it on the show - tell us all!

We are all players, and being able to visit out on the field during (well, after and before) events is a big part of what makes airsoft so cool. We can talk about "this one time, when this one guys was doing this, and I got him while I was here" or whatever...that's good stuff. We all like to hear and share good airsoft stories and info. That's one thing you will notice about Airsoft Corps, it exists for you - not us. The ego factor is not a factor for us - I pretty much suck, but I love to play...I love the fellowship and brotherhood...I love AIRSOFT. Do you? Call us. All Airsoft Corps is about is improving the sport, protecting the sport, and us all hanging out and talking about the sport we all love.

And if you canā€™t catch it live, or you want to carry it with you to show your buddies that you were on the show, get the podcasts here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/airs ... i=93903629

[AirsoftCorps]

http://www.redwolfairsoft.com/redwolf/a ... newsID=925

Red Wolf Hong Kong getting involved.

[AirsoftCorps]

The show was good - TNairsoft.com got plugged again In case you missed the live show, the podcast can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A ... 29&h=55737

[scales]

To tell you the truth, Mr. De Leon isn't exactly citing much, and I don't know how this got past 21-16. He cites wikipedia in his analysis and he even got some of the current legislation wrong at one point in his drafts. He claims that airsoft guns are "toys" which we can debate but he also acknowledges the fact that they cannot be sold to a minors and can be used to injure somebody (18 being the same age you can buy a rifle, and/or shotgun at as well). He talks about the case that was at "night" and it was "dark" and a child who was of the stature of an adult refused to lower the airsoft gun. Citing only one case is not right, there were mistakes made by ONE person not the whole community. We and the Commifornians should not have allowed this uneducated man to draft and pass this bill. It is also a shame that the 4 who did not vote were not swayed by those who called and sent emails and letters to the senators. I hope we can stop this style bill from passing in others states and I hope that we can prevent other state senates from citing this bill (probably soon to be law) in their drafts and analyses.

To AirsoftCorps, if you can try to continue to post places that are more Commifornian you may be able to get the airsoft population there to call the four who did not vote and the 16 who did vote no to the bill to try to appeal it by ammending it in such a way to nullify or create a loophole in the bill.
Send them here http://senate.ca.gov/senatedistricts to write to their respective senator especially Anderson, Berryhill, Blakeslee, Cannella
Correa, Dutton, Emmerson, Fuller, Gaines, Harman, Huff, La Malfa, Runner, Strickland, Walters, and Wyland.

Hope you can gain some ground,
Scales

[Fluffy Boy 32]

[scales]

[AirsoftCorps]

May 19th SB798 was referred back to Committee. Of the votes that have taken place, these are your AYES:
Alquist, Calderon, Corbett, De LeĆ³n, DeSaulnier, Evans, Hancock, Hernandez, Kehoe, Leno, Lieu, Liu, Lowenthal, Padilla, Pavley, Price, Simitian, Steinberg, Vargas, Wolk, and Yee.


These are the NOES (the good guys ):
Anderson, Berryhill, Blakeslee, Cannella, Correa, Dutton, Emmerson, Fuller, Gaines, Harman, Huff, La Malfa, Runner, Strickland, Walters, and Wyland.


And these are the ones that won't take a position - these are the ones that need to get off their butts and VOTE!!!:
Negrete, McLeod, Rubio, and Wright.


As the voting stands, 21 to 16 the vote will pass. If these folks will vote NO, it would be 21 to 20. However, SB798 only requires a majority vote, it does NOT require a 2/3 vote.