Harriet Vane Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Several of the boys in the neighborhood enjoy playing with airsoft guns. They are toy guns with tiny plastic pellets. The boys typically gather in the creek area behind their houses to kamikaze around. The creek area is large and mostly open, with a narrow strip of trees and brush immediately by the creek, which is just a tiny trickle. When ds joins them to play, he wears protective eyewear and borrows a gun from another boy. The guns look like toys to me (black plastic with a bright orange tip), and ds has never been bruised or hurt using them. The airsoft guns seem more benign than paintballing to me--when dh or ds go paintballing, they always come home with some real bruises. It seemed harmless enough, but when I took ds to a sporting goods store today to buy his own airsoft gun, the clerk would not allow it because he is only 13yo (less than 18yo). I cannot find any laws that impose an age limit on airsoft ownership or usage, but the store policy to sell to only 18yo customers threw me for a loop. Is it legal to for minors to use airsoft guns in Ohio? Is it safe for minors (13yo) to play with airsoft guns? (Assume they are wearing protective eye covering.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Wow, I've never heard of an age limit on air soft guns. I wouldn't hand one to my 7yo, but I would consider one for my 10yo. So long as eye protection is worn, I'm not sure what harm they could do. Finding the little pellets rolling around the house is really annoying, but that's about the worst of it. I grew up in a house with 5 boys and have 2 of my own. I've been around a lot of different toy guns. I HATE paintballing. The bruises and welts are brutal, but I have no problem with air soft guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmtzc2009 Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 My two oldest boys have them. (8&10). They only play with adult supervision and with protective eye gear. I am not aware of kids not being able to use them but check your city rules. I believe I read Chicago has strict rules yet the suburb we live in does not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 I know the rules vary from state to state, but I believe airsoft guns are classified as firearms in NJ and it is illegal to openly carry them, so it's definitely worth checking on the laws in your state to see if they are similar, or if there are any restrictions on where and by whom they can be used. I would think you'd have to be over 18 to buy them, even if they were intended for use by a younger kid, but I'm just guessing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rai B. Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Some towns don't allow firing them at all, but it looks like it is generally legal (including for minors) in Ohio. Many stores (of different varieties) are stricter about sales involving minors than the laws are. The only thing I found quoting actual laws is this (oldish): http://www.airsoftohio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21414 I'd let a 13 year old play with one, but I'd want someone supervising to be sure any other players were taking reasonable safety precautions. Many of the safety concerns seem to be about the possibility of third parties mistaking the airsoft toys for actual firearms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammi K Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 When my boys (13 and 20) first asked for airsoft, I bought a full face mask for my younger son but my older son just wanted eye wear. The first time he got hit with a pellet it caught him on the cheek. He asked if I would mind getting him a full mask too. My kids must be wimps because they only play when it's cold enough to wear full winter gear complete with layers. They say otherwise it stings too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Our town does not consider them toys. They are not allowed to be fired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 They are fine. Stores can set their own policies. Regulations will vary by state. Eye protection is definitely a must. Even with real weapons where it is illegal for minors to purchase or own them, they are still allowed to use them (even unsupervised). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elfknitter.# Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Granted, this is from wiki, but Persons under the age of 18 are not permitted to buy airsoft guns over the counter in stores. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_issues_in_airsoft#United_States Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 We got one for 12yo ds for his birthday along with a sticky target and cleaning kit, only to be used with the following rules: It is not to be shot at animals (including people). He must use biodegradable bbs. I don't like the idea of littering the environment with a ton of plastic (or even metal). He can only use it with friend(s) under supervision until we can be sure he and friend(s) are responsible. When we were shopping for it, I was disappointed that I couldn't find one that looked more like the Daisy Red Ryder instead of an assault rifle of some sort. They look very military-style to me. We would have gotten the Daisy, but there are no biodegradable pellets for it and that is a top priority for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punks in Ontario Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 My guys like getting their airsoft guns in the US because you guys have bigger, more powerful ones available. One was even bought in Ohio. LOL. Like the other said, eye protection is a must. I find the safety depends on the kids playing. Some are very competitive and will shoot at close range with not regard for people's faces. The rules around here are no close shots, shooting downed players and anyone firing intentionally at the face or neck area is in real trouble. Now my guys don't have that killer instinct so I don't worry about them. Some of our guests have had it and the guns go away then. My olders are very responsible with their long guns. And of course, the only time they've held a handgun was in the States. So glad they're not here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 My older boys have them. They get together with friends to shoot. We live in a a rural area.The firepower varies from gun to gun. Some can hurt, but it just stings badly and may leave an indentation. They wear eye protection and we have a rule of no aiming at heads, but they can still get hit in the head from time to time. My oldest boy got a broken tooth from a bb hitting him in the mouth. The pellets are a nuisance. I personally don't like them, but I haven't banned it. They can look too much like real weapons. Thankfully, they haven't had any "war games" in a while. It seems they are outgrowing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom@shiloh Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 My boys have them -- ages 16, 15 and 13. They wear protective gear and can only play them in the 'back forty' , far away from the house. My 15 yo isn't a big fan because he doesn't like getting hit. It does sting a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhschool Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 ... It seemed harmless enough, but when I took ds to a sporting goods store today to buy his own airsoft gun, the clerk would not allow it because he is only 13yo (less than 18yo). I cannot find any laws that impose an age limit on airsoft ownership or usage, but the store policy to sell to only 18yo customers threw me for a loop. ... Was he alone when he went in the store? Or were you with him and they wouldn't sell it to you because they knew it was for him? I don't know any laws, but I think it's harmless if all the kids are good kids and everyone wears head protection, neck protection, and eye protection. So I would suggest they always wear a jacket that has a high collar, jeans, baseball cap, and goggles. (Although I know a guy who will just play in t-shirt and shorts--if his mom lets him, I guess it's OK.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 So are they different than a bb gun? What is the difference? I thought they shot something soft! lol My boys had bb guns, but they were not allowed to shoot at each other or at animals. For some reason, paintball seems more like a game than shooting something hard at each other--paintballs ARE hard, but they are also..well, PAINT. IDK--it seems sort of weird to me (totally wrong word, but I can't think of one) to play guns with "real" ammo. IYKWIM. I remember guys playing war--but they just made the sound and pretended to shoot each other. And die. I'm not anti-gun, fwiw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In2why Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 My boys have them and we do not consider them toys. We insist on the same gun safety rules that we use with any guns. We also buy the degradable in rain pellets so they do not leave a mess. I detest the kids having airsoft wars where they shoot each other. The kids around here sometimes do it, but I am the parent that won't allow mine to join in. They can shoot each other in nerf wars and have mighty battles all of the time but airsoft guns have different levels of power and are dangerous in my opinion. They can break a window or blind someone quite easily, although most of the kids do wear safety glasses when they do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 My boys have a large group they do airsoft with. They typically set the ages as 12 and above and make an exception for my 10 year old because he is just an exceptional kid maturity wise. There are strict rules and if you don't follow, you don't play. Always wear protective eye gear No aiming/shooting above the chest area No shooting once someone is out No foul language If you are shot you must leave, no cheating I think there are a few more, but those are the ones I remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 So are they different than a bb gun? What is the difference? I thought they shot something soft! lol Airsoft pellets used in play battles are typically plastic, not steel like bb's. There are metal pellets but these are not used for play battles--at least not by anyone I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 I remember when Buck first started running with a crowd who had airsoft guns. He was 11 and decided this was stupid. "Those things HURT, Mom!!" lol But as he got older, he decided it was worth the hurt, however, much like Tammi's kids, he doesn't play in the summer because he can't get enough protective cover on. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 We got my oldest son an airsoft gun a couple years ago. He actually prefers Nerf and wasn't at all sad when his airsoft gun broke. Those bbs can sting. It never even occurred to me that they can be considered an actual firearm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMamaBird Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Ah! So that's what all those little orange pellets are! I found a whole mess of them spread around my neighborhood once and have been puzzled until now. Mystery solved! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcat Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 We got one for 12yo ds for his birthday along with a sticky target and cleaning kit, only to be used with the following rules: It is not to be shot at animals (including people). He must use biodegradable bbs. I don't like the idea of littering the environment with a ton of plastic (or even metal). He can only use it with friend(s) under supervision until we can be sure he and friend(s) are responsible. When we were shopping for it, I was disappointed that I couldn't find one that looked more like the Daisy Red Ryder instead of an assault rifle of some sort. They look very military-style to me. We would have gotten the Daisy, but there are no biodegradable pellets for it and that is a top priority for me. Just an FYI ~~ those 'biodegradable' pellets aren't. At least not as fast as the 'degrades in one year' ones ds spent a fortune on. It has been five years since he last shot pellets, and those horrid things are still all in the mulch beds and the driveway & sidewalk cracks. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 My husband has airsoft guns and targets. My children do not. All of the kids can and do use the guns, but only with their dad. He teaches them good safety practices with them. We treat them like a real gun. We stress to the kids that they are nonlethal weapons. They are not toys. A real gun should be treated the same way, but if you shoot a real gun, someone will die. For us, guns are tools. There may be a time when you need to use one. There may not. Airsoft guns are training tools, exactly like a 4 ounce hammer I gave them. Some day they will probably need to use a hammer. I would like them to know how to use one safely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Funny to see this posted, my ds15 and I were having this discussion (aka argument) today. He very much wants them, I have been refusing. In his opinion they are just toys, in mine his is a mentally unstable boy trained to shoot (he was on the cadet shooting team this year), access to any sort of weapon including airsoft is not permitted until I see a change in his mental health status. He thinks I am being unreasonable (of course he also thinks I am unreasonable that I won't let dd14 get a replica katana to hang on her wall for the same reason). If his mental health stabilizes and we have a fenced yard then I will allow it within certain parameters, number 1 being it can only be shot at targets within our fenced yard etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 So are they different than a bb gun? What is the difference? I thought they shot something soft! lol To quote Tim Hawkins "there is nothing airish or soft about it" :lol: My kids have several different airsoft guns. They cannot purchase any of the guns or ammo but I can buy it for them. They do have "battles" with others but everyone must be in agreement and eye protection. They just got the full face masks and that makes me feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 DH is an ophthalmologist and treated a kid (12-13) with a ruptured globe (eye) because of one. He was a bystander, not one of the kids playing with the guns. Just the wrong place, wrong time type scenario. I don't think they're safe at all….and I have questions about the ability of kids to use them safely and have the right precautions in place to avoid hitting somebody. There are some neighborhood boys (8-10) who have them… do not wear eye protection….and do not look out for other kids. It worries me a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Excelsior! Academy Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Wow. I had no idea. Boys in our neighborhood own and shoot them in their front yards. I don't think I've ever seen one using eye protection or any other type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 I've known two kids personally who have had their permanent teeth broken in half by an airsoft shot to the mouth. Both were wearing eye protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsrevmeg Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Different guns have different power. We have one that is not to be used for shooting each other. The others are fun for getting together and having a battle. It does not hurt like paintball. My son's first one would not even pop a balloon when he shot it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Just to be clear "air" refers to the compressed CO2 cartridge that replaces the gunpowder in a regular gun. "Soft" is a relative descriptor, in this case compared to stainless steel. So, yes , softER but no, not SOFT. They do vary in strength, even as the cartridge empties out. I like to shoot, and I like to play. No WAY would I want to get hit by one of those pellets. I was aghast when we shot the first one. Not what I was expecting. And that is the wimpy one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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