Don’t buy your kids airsoft replica firearms
KELOWNA – A robbery by five masked teenagers armed with airsoft replica pistols and bats has sparked a reaction from the local airsoft community.
The teens were caught and arrested following the mugging of a group of young people earlier this month and they face robbery charges.
Anthony Forster with Airsoft Kelowna says people under the age of 18 should not have airsoft replicas. He says his club strictly enforces the rule and points out those involved in the robbery are not members.
“The club doesn’t condone the illegal use of airsoft replica weapons or even the purchase of them by minors,” Forster says. He points out they are not toys.
“We really want to make it clear to the public we do not support minors owning airsoft replicas. It’s really not safe.”
He says parents are not acting responsibly if they allow their underage kids to buy the replicas without proper safety precautions like eye protection, safe play areas and strict, adult supervision.
“It’s illegal to discharge an airsoft gun within city limits,” Forster adds.
Parents bring kids who want to play the war games to the Kelowna club all the time. He says the administrators have to say no, “they have to wait until they are 18.”
An airsoft replica weapon is a BB gun that looks exactly like a real firearm and operates like a real firearm, which is part of the appeal to airsoft military simulation players.
They are similar in concept to paintball guns, but very different in their look and operation.
“Paintball gun looks like a refugee from a plumbing shop.” Forster says. “They fire a 6 millimetre plastic, biodegradable ball. It hurts less than a paintball, but it still hurts a little bit.”
The airsoft guns are mostly sold through companies on the Internet, although there is a local company called Modern Combat, which is run part-time by a Kelowna Airsoft member.
The 250 members play on crown land off Postill Lake Road they call 4K Field. The club has good relationship with the RCMP and the Ministry of Forests, he says.
In September some of the members got together to clean up the crown land they use and call 4K Field. He says they hauled away all kinds of junk including car parts.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
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4 responses
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howard dose not care about the truth or facts, there are 3 sides to every story. Anthony Forester is the wrong person to talk to about kids playing with toy guns. his group is all over the age of 19 and fully discrimanate other players due to, age, who they know and where they are from.they clame to have full rights to the crown land they play on ( witch is a paint ball field)witch they don’t bother to remove there trash after there games. fish and games has spoken to me about there mess because I too use there field and am sick of cleaning and fixing the field for them to use it as there own dump. when other are useing the field they simply call the cops, one 2occasions, clameing rights to the field. aifsoft guns are for kids, most adults who own them are more about respect my athoraty. they cant be real solders so they buy toys.Teach your kids gun safety and right and wrong and we wont have these issues.
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Hello, From Vernon Airsoft (vernon airsoft) Were On Facebook.We allow under the age of 16! we at vernon have not had a problem with any of our group playingwith underage kids! Its not the kids to blame for the recent ordeal. So stop pointing the finger at kids! As we have had this talk with kelowna airsoft and they seem to be agenst kids playing! Its all right to play paint ball if your underage or have a jr hunting ticket! To say that you should not buy your kids airsoft guns! Well am sorry I been doing its for 4 years now and ya not a problem!There for is the reason why I created a 30 acre field in VERNON for the KIDs to play and to have fun!What Kids should be doing! To say one has the right to stop other”s is wrong! I have been bannedan many others from kelowna airsoft! For playing with kids and sticking up for other’s rights!Hey am a headsmasher according to ak!as we don’t see things the same.If you cant beat them ban them! oh ya ban the kid,. its the ak way! ( Quote ). come one come all!UNDERAGE IS NOT THE PROBLEM! Trying to be a knight in shining armor , More like a ass in tin foil!Vernon Airsoft! Looks us up….. We love to share bb”s with others! Caring is sharing. Best too you an happy new years!Aka (snuffleupagus ) kevin legault , V.A.
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Don’t expect accurate reporting from the typical journalist. On the very few ocasions, over decades, that I have been present at a news-worthy event they have got it wrong every time!
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I am buying my sisters kids replicas. And there is jack shit you can do. Leave the law abiding alone. Go after real criminals, and the you will see crime decrease.
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