This morning about 0645 I heard a little vignette on airsoft on NPR.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... d=93456690The narrative focused on 14 year old boys playing in their back yards in a residential neighborhood, and in particular a young man in Newman, CA that almost got shot by a police officer. I sent an email to Morning Edition as follows...
Your piece on airsoft guns was correct in the sense that airsoft is a fast growing sport in the US. But, by telling the story around a 14 year old boy you missed the mark. Highly organized groups of current and former law enforcement and military as well as other enthusiasts from every state gather for local games as well as a national schedule of events, all managed under the same kind of strict rules found in venues where real weapons are used. These events restrict players to over eighteen years of age, allowing under eighteen only with adult sponsorship and supervision. We discourage the kind of undisciplined and dangerous conduct your program described as we realize it will ultimately cause the kind of reaction you reported from the Newman Police Chief. Another report from NPR on the airsoft community that is tightly self-regulated would be helpful.