California SB-199 Bill (bright colored airsoft guns)

So California is trying to pass a bill that will force all airsoft gun owners to paint their guns bright colors, I am glad we don't live there... Basically they are classifying airsoft guns as imitation firearms (a classification which airsoft guns were previously excluded from) with some exceptions. One being:

(3) A device where the entire exterior surface of the device is white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, or bright purple, either singly or as the predominant color in combination with other colors in any pattern, or where the entire device is constructed of transparent or translucent materials which permits unmistakable observation of the device’s complete contents.

I really hope the bill doesn't pass or it may set a precedent for other parts of the US and possibly Canada to further restrict airsoft guns.

Since I've started playing airsoft in late 2009, I think I've seen this bill (or a variation of this bill) come to light about 2-3 times now. California's airsoft industry is easily in the hundreds of millions (about $90 million of that is from our own Claymore ). And im just talking about the retail side. We've all seen the amazing fields that California has. I mean Op Lion Claws hosts mosts of its amazing Milsims in California. Hell it was at a OLC milsim in California that my beloved Ronin and his Green Mountain Rangers got banned from earlier this year. If they passed a law like that it would kill the airsoft industry in California and force mega retailers like Airsoft GI, Evike, Airsplat, and others to move to different states, and move hundreds, possibly thousands of jobs out of state. Now last I heard, SB199 passed on the senate floor, and has two more round of approval to go through. One is like another state appointed committee like the senate. And then it goes to the Governor who has the final Yay or Nay on it. Hopefully history repeats itself in this situation and it gets shot down

[jsae]

In the UK, players have been able to convince government to allow them a system to address the need to distinguish airsoft from real steel. They set up the UKARA, a retailer registry, a game site registry, and player registries.

1. registered Skirmishers (has a legal definition) can buy any airsoft
2. non-registered players are limited to buying bright two-tone airsoft
3. regulations around Realistic Imitation Firearms, Imitation Firearms due to the Violent Crime Reduction Act
4. UK Airsoft Retailers Association

Registered Skirmisher

• over 18 with ID
• played more than 3 games in no less than 2 months
• renewal required every 12 months
• endorsed by a registered game site

Registered Game Site

1. Must have, and keep, more than 20 registered eligible players (within 6 months except in special circumstances).
2. Must have a venue, or authorisation to use a venue.
3. Must have third party liability insurance for the game of Airsoft appropriate to the terms of operation.
4. Must run proper Airsoft Skirmishing games with players shooting players in scenarios.
5. Must keep accurate records of all its members and their details accessible for scrutiny.
6. Shall only register new players who have played 3 games over a period of time of more than 56 days ( 2 months) who are over 18 and have verified their home address & date of birth.
7. Must not register players on behalf of other game sites.
8. Will not register parents or guardians of under age players except where they qualify by right.
9. Should realise that, should legal action be taken against a retailer in association of a sale, player verification will be a major issue.

More information:
http://ukara.org.uk/aboutus.php

[jsae]

I confirm by signing this application form that I am a legitimate Airsoft player who frequently attends
Airsoft war games ("skirmishes" *Home Office definition*), and that the details on this form are
accurate and correct. I confirm that I hold a current and active membership with a UKARA approved
game site, and that the named site does hold, to the best of my knowledge, a minimum of third party
liability insurance for Airsoft activities. Should I change or cancel my membership, I shall notify a
member of UKARA immediately

As an acting game site official I confirm that this person as named above, is a current Airsoft player
who holds a membership at this site, the number of which is clearly printed above. I will notify a
member of UKARA should this situation change in the future and the membership is withdrawn,
expired or void.

http://ukara.org.uk/Players-Skirmish-Va ... n-Form.pdf

[Claymore]

Hey guys you all know me... I am a conformists, I lay-down and I'm not a fighter

I'm going to get ahead of the curve because there is no point in fighting the government because they are looking out for our best interest and right all the time!

So like Jsae posted some cool looking guns. Here are some more. I'm looking forward to some more great reviews like this.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kIFJiu1Mwrw

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0NDvv0BoasM

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vpvqUZTylbE

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3QwFyVExpCE

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dg1cdPJmP-4

I can't wait to start buying those super fantastic guns. Who else wants to be taken care of by the government. I'm placing the first order, who else wants to place their first order with me

SCREW THAT!! "ONLY FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS"

I can't wait to start buying those super fantastic guns. Who else wants to be taken care of by the government. I'm placing the first order, who else wants to place their first order with me

SCREW THAT!! "ONLY FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS"

You don't want one? But they are so pretty! What I find funny is that the proposed laws would mean that paintballers with magfed guns could actually have more realistic looking guns then airsofters lol

On the plus side those of you with a G&G Femme Fatal M4 don't have to do anything to it! Finally you can come to the field and use it with pride!

If this bill passes and I was a murderer, I would paint my gun bright colors to make it look more like a toy. Does this crap make sense to you???

^^^ That's exactly what I was gonna say. If I'm some cholo east side gangbanger in East LA, I could just paint my 9 baby blue and walk around and be like "naaaaa officer, it's just my KJW beretta. Now bounce holmes. I'm gonna go hold up a cornor store with my pis.....airsoft pistol"

[jsae]

Perhaps.

But the Skirmishers in the UK have an active and vibrant airsoft community where the players, fields, and shops, work together to protect the sport despite the VCRA.

If we get that organized, we can protect the sport in any legal framework.

Update from Dev Tac's Facebook page for those following.

SB199 UPDATE: Maggiore Soap spoke with Alex, Senator De Leon's staffer on SB199 today. After a 15 minute conversation, we can confirm that De Leon and his staff are working with industry representatives to amend the bill. They hear our concerns regarding the coloration and economic impact, and have arranged a meeting with the Airsoft Safety Foundation and other industry representatives (per For California's press release yesterday) to discuss the bill and how to find a solution that does not threaten airsoft, while at the same time improves public safety.

Soap stressed that airsoft guns are NOT toys, and that the responsibility lies with the parents furnishing their children with BB devices. Alex agreed, stating that educating the public on the issue is key. She also noted that the Senator and his staff are looking at alternatives to solid-color guns, including ideas such as a side stripe on the gun, or a muzzle stripe like the orange tip law currently in place. Furthermore, she stated that they are also examining what steps can be taken to ensure that minors do not obtain BB devices without proper instruction and supervision.

Overall, the conversation yielded a few new pieces of information, but more importantly, it revealed that Senator De Leon and his staff are hearing our concerns, and are willing to meet with representatives to discuss SB199.

This does NOT mean we can relax the pressure! We must ALL continue to CALL OUR REPRESENTATIVES, making sure that we are clear and respectful! We are gaining ground, but we CANNOT let anyone else fight this battle for us! Get to those phones, and call your assembly representatives today, tomorrow, and every day until they get the message!

http://www.assembly.ca.gov

Please continue to share this information with everyone in California. This is OUR fight. We must come together as one community, leaving behind our prejudices (speedsoft vs. milsim vs. impressions vs. walk-on players vs. ...), and stand together to defeat this bill!