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Safety First!

The Basics

Airsoft is a fun hobby which is perfectly safe so long as the basics are followed and common sense is used. Safety with Airsoft is always based on simple common sense and is always very logical, it requires you to think about what you’re doing and be aware of people and situations around you. Any responsible person with common sense will have no problems operating Airsoft replica’s safely, but we recommend you read this guide to ensure that you are aware of the most important aspects.

Your Safety

Airsoft guns are high quality replica’s capable of firing 6mm (and in some cases 8mm) plastic BB's (Bullet Balls) at safe velocities. The velocities at which the BB’s can be fired at are very low compared to many other similar activities. This means that under normal circumstances they are unable to penetrate the skin and are therefore very safe. This does not mean that in some cases they can’t be dangerous; your eyes are an extremely vulnerable part of your body. This means it is possible for your eyes to be damaged by a BB hitting them. It is therefore absolutely necessary to wear eye protection at all times when using and around people using Airsoft replicas.

The eye protection used must be built to ballistic standards for Airsoft so that it is known to stop a BB easily at the highest possible velocities. All the eye protection sold by us here at Airsoft Direct are products used by a large number of players and have therefore been selected specifically for Airsoft. All Airsoft skirmish sites require you to wear eye protection; it is recommended that you use a full face mask as eye protection in most gaming situations, especially if you play in close quarters as it gives a great deal of protection not just for your eyes but for your entire face. A face mask also protects your mouth, which can stop your teeth being damaged. Although rare, teeth can be and have been chipped by BB’s.

Area of Use

It is very important to only use Airsoft replica’s on either private land you have full permission to be on or a proper skirmish site. You should never use them on public land, such as woods, parks, this could lead to the police being called, including the deployment of police armed response units. It is also an offence to carry an Airsoft replica in public without a good reason (which is now under the new Anti Social Behaviour Orders, ASBO’s) and therefore such activities on public land will lead to arrests.

While on private land you have permission to be on, ensure that everyone is aware of the boundaries so that no one strays on to public land. When using Airsoft replica’s on your own property, such as in your garden, be sure neighbour’s whose houses over look your garden are aware of what you are doing and are informed that they are not real and are replica’s. You should also make sure that no pets or people can walk through your line of fire to the target when shooting in your garden. No BB’s whether from a direct shot or rebound should be able to stray out of your property into or to hit other houses. You should also be aware that it is a criminal offence to fire an Airsoft replica within 15m (50ft) of a road or street.

Storage and Transportation

You always have to be aware that Airsoft replicas are based on real firearms. Under closer inspection it is easy to see that they are not actual firearms, but from a distance and under observation from the public’s untrained eye they can look like real guns. When using, transporting and storing Airsoft replicas you must be aware of this and take measures to insure you and your replicas safety. If you do not take these measures a member of the public could see the Airsoft replica and think it is real, then call the police. This could result in your arrest or cause a dangerous situation with armed police.

When storing replicas in your house they should be stored unloaded and unpowered which means magazine removed, chamber empty and the battery removed if an Automatic Electric Gun. All replicas should be kept out of children’s reach and out of sight, especially from any people walking past windows and doors.

It is very important that when you take replicas outside your house in to the public’s view that they are fully covered in a gun bag or similar equipment carrying bag. They should not be carried in pockets, belts, holsters or any other manner in which they could be seen and identified as weapons. You should also not leave replicas in cars covered or not, as there is a risk of them being seen and/or stolen. You should also not unnecessarily transport replicas around; the police will make arrests if you are found carrying a replica and do not have good reason for having such an item on your person.

The Safety Briefing

At all well organized skirmish sites you will be given a safety briefing. Although this briefing varies from site to site the main points will be the same and it is useful for you know them before hand. The first is that eye protection should be on at all times when playing and a player should not take it off unless they are in the safezone or outside the gaming area. Before entering the safezone the magazine of the replica should be removed and a few shots should be fired to ensure that the replica is empty and safe. Safety catches should also be used when the replica is not in use.

Final Note

Although this safety guide does not cover everything it does cover the main points you should be aware of. You should be aware of safety at all times, but please remember to enjoy the fun hobby that is Airsoft.