I am starting this thread with the simple fact. If it looks like a gun. It's a gun.
it doesn't matter if it has an orange tip. Or if its painted in a rainbow. If it looks like a gun. It's a gun.
If I saw someone pointing a gun-thing with an orange tip at me. I would put them down immediately. And so would the police. Doesn't matter if its a super-soaker or an orange airsoft gun.
You do need to be 18 to purchase an airsoft gun. But parents can simply purchase them for their children and let them run around the neighborhood playing around with them.
Guns are not toys. Things that look like guns are not toys.
Kids do not physically have the brain-power to understand how serious guns and gun-shaped-things are. And how sensitive they are with the public and police. Many kids do not / are incapable of understanding that they could get themselves killed or their friends killed by playing with airsoft guns in the wrong place and time.
In addition it normalizes that guns are things that are fun to play around with. Pick up and whatever.
Now if you are an adult and you want to play airsoft with other adults in a safe place. Go for it. I trust your judgement.
But I do not think that airsoft guns should be things that kids can posses and play with, without adult supervision. A child with an airsoft gun is a danger to themselves and others. Even if they have good intentions.
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Two things. One airsoft guns only to be purchased by those 18+ is mandatory pretty much everywhere. Two -blam!- SB199.