Guys, We need to help out!
ATTENTION: THIS IS URGENT!!!
FAST Office of Public Affairs <publicaffairs@fast-us.org> wrote:
From: "FAST Office of Public Affairs"
To: "Old email for FAST Office of Public Affairs"
Subject: UPDATE--NEW JERSEY BILLS INTRODUCED TO PROHIBIT SALE AND POSSESSION OF AIRSOFT
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 16:46:12 -0400
DATE: April 23, 2003
TO: AMERICAN AIRSOFT ENTHUSIASTS
SUBJECT: UPDATE--NEW JERSEY BILLS INTRODUCED AS A3420 AND S2219 TO PROHIBITS
SALE AND POSSESSION OF CERTAIN AIR-POWERED PELLET GUNS
PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO FOLKS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SAVING AIRSOFT IN
THE USA
Andrew Macpherson - call sign LT MAC - here. I'm wiring on behalf of the
Airsoft players of NJ and the national Airsoft organization (officially
called the Federation of Airsoft Standards and Training or FAST see
http://www.fast-us.org) that is fully supporting their fight to save our
hobby.
This letter is an update on the efforts that have been made in the Airsoft
community to present alternatives to New Jersey State Assembly Bill 3420 and
its companion Senate Bill 2219 (available for viewing at
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2002/Bills ... 420_I1.HTM and
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2002/Bills ... 219_I1.HTM respectively).
These pieces of identical legislation have brought the legal status of
selling and possessing Airsoft items into national focus. These bills, if
passed, would ban both the sale and possession of "certain air-powered
pellet guns" with significant penalties.
I want to personally thank all the players, retailers, and field owners that
responded to the email of concerning this topic from March 11.
The NJ players have been tirelessly bringing this critical issue to everyone
's attention. Without naming individuals their good work has resulted in
hundreds of emails from all over the world pouring in supporting our
efforts. I personally read every e-mail I received but with limited staff
and resources (none) I was not able to respond to everyone in person. We
have called every NJ resident over the age of 18 that supplied me with a
phone number to outline our strategy for defeating this legislation.
We are going to defeat these bills.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
A central web site has been created for this issue at:
http://njairsoft.airsoftrecon.com/default.aspWorking with other concerned groups that use air guns legally and safely we
are going to attend and testify at the hearings that the NJ legislature will
hold on these bills.
The earliest these hearings in the NJ State Senate and Assembly could happen
is May 5 and 8th.
If you are interested in attending please contact me via email at
http://www.evannappen.com/) a
very well known legal attorney in NJ who is an expert a gun laws and are
planning to work with him. It looks like our initial legal fees will be
signifigant.
We are planning to raise the funds by asking all the players / retailers in
NJ twho can to pitch in $100. We realize that this is a lot of money but
saving your ability to legally own and sell Airsoft and air gun items is
worth it! If you can afford the whole $100 please send what you can. IF you
can't $5 - $10 - $20 all helps along the way. I'm confident that we can
raise the funds - if there are any other individuals out there nationally
that want to contribute to the legal fund we sure could use your help.
Any funds you folks contribute will be held in trust until we pay for our
legal services.
You can either Paypal:
naopr@houstonairsoft.com Please email me your name and phone number
so I can call you.
All other Airsoft enthusiast in the USA and internationally who do NOT
support this legislation should also email me at
publicaffairs@fast-us.orghttp://www.fast-us.orgFor the Players - By the players!
*** FOLLOWS ORIGINAL EMAIL FROM MARCH***
DATE: MARCH 11, 2003
TO: AMERICAN AIRSOFT ENTHUSIASTS
SUBJECT: NEW JERSEY BILLS INTRODUCED AS A3420 AND S2219 TO PROHIBITS SALE
AND POSSESSION OF CERTAIN AIR-POWERED PELLET GUNS
Andrew Macpherson - call sign LT MAC - here.
I'm writing on behalf of a growing group of people who share the concerns
that many Airsoft enthusiasts have concerning two bills that have been
introduced in the New Jersey Legislature. On March 8, 2003 twenty seven
individuals, representing a diverse background of our national population,
met in Dallas Texas to discuss many of the issues surrounding the pastime we
call Airsoft. Anyone who has taken interest in this unique activity has
almost certainly confronted questions. Where can I play? Is Airsoft legal in
my area? Were can I get the best prices as a consumer? Will Airsoft be
banned? Will Airsoft go the same way as paintball?
The introduction of State Assembly Bill 3420 and its companion Senate Bill
2219 (available for viewing at
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2002/Bills ... 420_I1.HTM and
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2002/Bills ... 219_I1.HTM respectivlty)
have brought the legal status of selling and possessing Airsoft items into
national focus. These bills, if passed, would ban both the sale and
possession of "certain air-powered pellet guns" with significant penalties.
Under the provisions of the bill, it would be a crime of the third degree to
sell, offer to sell, give, assign or otherwise transfer any such gun. A
crime of the third degree is punishable by a fine of up to $15,000,
imprisonment for a term of three to five years, or both. Any person who
possesses any such gun is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of
the fourth degree is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for
term of up to 18 months, or both.
The issues that these laws are intended to ameliorate is not insignificant.
The Bill's authors correctly state that there is a "danger associated with
these look-alike guns is that law enforcement officers, who are all too
often required to make split-second decisions, cannot instantly determine
whether they are confronting a toy or real gun. A failure to make the
correct determination can be fatal--for the officer, or the person carrying
the look-alike gun. Look-alike guns also can be used by incorrigibles to
terrorize individuals and communities."
The bills' authors fail to recognize that there are legitimate uses for
Airsoft items and that prohibiting their sale and use will not stop the
issues that is clearly outline in the preceding paragraph.
These bills are not yet law. We have the opportunity as a national community
to speak with one voice to recommend to the legislature in the good State of
New Jersey that this law at the very least be modified.
I have been asked to be responsible for enabling the timely, secure,
transmission of materials on this effort on behalf the folks developing a
national strategy for Airsoft related issues.
Shortly we will be releasing our strategy to change this legislation and we
will need your help.
Obviously the effort that will be required to tackle this issue is far
beyond and single individual or regional entity. This challenge will require
a collaborative national effort of the players, retailers, field owners,
event promoters, law enforcement, standards organizations, and many other
stakeholders. Thus on behalf of Airsoft enthusiasts we are reaching out all
of you who want to help change this legislation.
We have personally been in contact with many NJ Airsoft players including
those posting on the boards concerning this issue.
Specifically individuals over the age of 18 who are residents of New Jersey
and air soft enthusiast should contact me immediately at the following
address:
naopr@houstonairsoft.comPlease put "NO" in the subject line.
I urge all parties to move with all haste to challenge this legislation.
Together we can make a difference.
LT MAC
Skip Hudson
Chief of Staff
United States Airsoft Corps
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