[Paco]

It must be a parent or legal guardian.

[Dust2Dust]

Sorry, just read the below post.  I was trying to delete it but you posted.  Can someone lock it to avoid me looking like even more of a noob?
-Dust-

[TheRev]

It says what it says (Parent or Legal Guardian). So here's the definition of "Legal Guardian" (since we can exclude your cousin as being a Parent):

A Legal Guardian can:
1. Sign for medical care of a minor
2. Assume parental roles such as;
   a) Custodial care and nurture.
   b) Provide for the life, welfare and benefit of a minor.
3. Enter into legally binding contracts on behalf of a minor.
4. Assume legal responsibility for said minor.

The above is an abreviation of the legal requirements placed on guardians of minor children.

The purpose for this requirement in AA is that legally, minors cannot make legal decisions for themselves. Adults are accorded that responsibility. So, if you injure yourself at an AA event, you may not want to sue AA, but your parents may. And in fact they would have a legal "right" to sue. However, if your parent or legal guardian are with you at an event, the eyes of the law speak "implied consent" because they saw what you were doing, and did not stop you from doing it.

I hope this answers your question.

TheRev

[Dust2Dust]

Ok, so why wouldn't AA just have a flyer that says if you sign this you cannot sue AA for any injuries sustained at an event.  If you have both the Legal Guardian and the participant sign saying neither will take legal action and AA is not held responsible... oh well, nm I'm just an angry youth.

[Harley]

We do, it's called  waiver and it doesn't matter when it comes to minors.  This is an old issue that has been hashed out by us over and over again.  The rules are they way they are for a reason.

[Dust2Dust]

I fully agree with the age limit, being 17 its hard to accept but I have.  But this is a question I had thats not on there.  It says a parent or legal guardian.  What if you go with your cousin or something whos 18+  is that ok or does it have to be a parent or legal guardian?  
-Dust-

[gdaqb]

unfortunately :evil:

Not one of your posts has been on a thread younger than a year or longer than 2 words. So I have this to say:

[andyhinds]

unfortunately :evil:

3rd necro post.... what a tool.  Nice posts as well, one and two word posts.

[Doc Hollywood]

Under Arizona law, a minor is incapable of entering into a contract. A waiver is a contract to not pursue a claim arising under any of the common law or statutory torts. Because its a contract, a minor can't be a party to a legally binding waiver.

It gets better.  A parent or guardian CAN NOT waive a cause of action OF a minor without formal court approval of each and every instance of said waiver. A parent can only waive their own right to recover special damages on behalf of the minor (medical expenses they are responsible for). The minor can still come back after they turn 18 and sue for general damages (pain and suffering) for injuries that a court has not granted a waiver to.

What this means - Even if a minor has a parent sign a waiver, if that minor "lost an eye" the parent MIGHT not be able to sue, but the minor could still come back after they turn 18 and sue the tortfeasors in negligence.

The statute of limitations does not begin as long as a plaintiff is under the age of 18.

The upside is: if no one was negligent then there is no lawsuit. There are things that can be done (full face masks, education and training, explanation of and assumption of the risks) that will remove the liability from a potential defendant. Negligence occurs when someone breaches their duty to not create an unreasonable risk of harm to another. The key word is reasonable and that word is the single most litigated term in this country.

Just my humble (and somewhat educated) opinion.

[Raith]

...tortfeasors...

I gotta take a nap!  Thats a $10 word.

[Doc Hollywood]

where do I send the bill!  lol

[Legs]

All I'll add is this:
The very first line of text on with the paperwork that came with my CA AEG reads as follows:

FOR AGE 18 YEARS OR ABOVE

There are no major manufacturers ignoring this statement...only minors and their parents ignore it.  In firearms law, "illegal to obtain" is seen as "illegal to possess."  If you cannot legally obtain an item, you may not legally possess or use it.  Airsoft guns are far more closely related (given how they have been treated by laws to date) to firearms than to toys.  It is therefore a very small leap to guess how the courts would rule if forced to.  My point has always been that we should not force them to, and the more minors that continue to play and ignore these ideas the more and more likely it is that a major case will land in the court's lap.

And to anyone who is about to mutter, "But minors are the future of airsoft...sob...sniff..."  you are stoned.  No major sport is going to disappear because recruiters fail to grab up thumb suckers.  The NFL, NHL (name your sport) will be alive and well tomorrow without going to junior high schools to recruit.  If we keep the sport healthy today, it'll be here tomorrow, and the minors can join up and learn the sport at the appropriate time...like the rest of us did with everything else that matters in life.

[Mooncruiser]

Legs wrote;
And to anyone who is about to mutter, "But minors are the future of airsoft...sob...sniff..." you are stoned. No major sport is going to disappear because recruiters fail to grab up thumb suckers. The NFL, NHL (name your sport) will be alive and well tomorrow without going to junior high schools to recruit. If we keep the sport healthy today, it'll be here tomorrow, and the minors can join up and learn the sport at the appropriate time...like the rest of us did with everything else that matters in life.
_______

Absolutely my sentiment too.
Chip

[Doc Hollywood]

I will also mention that I was the champion shooter in my district in 7th grade and had hunted and killed several big game animals in Alaska. I don't remember NOT knowing gun safety. Its a different world today.

[andyhinds]

I will also mention that I was the champion shooter in my district in 7th grade

Must have been pretty fierce competition, I heard those Junior High competitions are pretty intense.....