My son wants an airsoft gun

[biederboat]

I posted this in "Life in General" also, hope that's okay.

My generally responsible son wants an airsoft gun. Aparently he and his buddies are intending to get them. He's a good kid and I don't have any inhertent concerns but should I? It's not so much with the gun itself (which I don't know a lot about but trying to educate myself on) I'm concerned with as what generally happens when a crowd of kids get together with these things. My son is trained in hunter & gun saftey but the other kids probably won't be. If you have any experience here I should know about, please share and I will be grateful!

Thanks,
Biederboat

[sliverpicker]

Airsoft guns? What exactly is an airsoft gun? That's a new one for me. :whazzup:

My kids and there friends are all into paintball guns up here in Sandy. They together at somebodies house out in the country and have all day wars. They're real strict as far as safety concerns.

[Lured In]

I assume when you say that your son is "educated in hunter and gun safety", that you mean he has attended and passed his Hunter Safety course. Is that correct?

If so, good on you! While I am not familiar with an "air soft" gun, if it is a air gun or BB type gun, I would execise some caution.

Both my boys (6 and 8) have shot a BB gun several times and understand the responsibilities of handling a gun and being around someone who is handling a gun. One of the most important things to teach a young person, aside from handling a gun safely, is to GET AWAY from someone who is not. That applies to BB guns, paint ball guns, etc. All have the ability to injure.

While this may not apply to an "air soft" gun, hopefully it is some food for thought.

[MarlinMark]

I did a search and read a little on the subject. My first question is what are they intending to do with these guns? I can't see any reason (in a boys mind) to get one other than to have "battles" with my buddies. These guns aren't designed for marksmanship practice. I'm not too old to remember my youth. I know that's what most of my friends would have wanted to do.

Mark

[Snapset]

I grew up playing cops and robbers and cowboys and Indians. This involved a whole lot of shooting at each other with cap and other guns, along with a lot of yelling "You're Dead!" and "You missed me" . After I took hunters safety, no more pointing a gun of any kind at anybody. Not even pretend guns. I kind of agree with Marlin Mark. When I was that age, I know somebody would have gotten shot. On the other hand, people shoot each other with Paintball guns all the time, so if he gets one, at least make sure he has protective equipment.

[Myles]

My son has one, he and some buddies get together and have battles. How old is your son, how responsible are his friends? Mine was 16 or so when he got it.They don't seem to do much damage but could definatly put an eye out. They really need to be careful in public, especially nowadays, they look pretty realistic. Get pulled over with one in your backseat and you may ge a gun drawn on you!
Basically is your son ready for paintball? It's very similar.

myles

[Mr. Carp]

Those things sting like crazy and could put an eye out. Make sure he is ready to the responsibility.

Ryan