NJ S810

[code789]

link to news article:
http://www.airsoft2day.com/news/655-bil ... earms.html

This bill would clarify that “airsoft” guns constitute firearms and therefore are subject to this State’s strict laws regulating the sale, possession, and use of firearms. Airsoft guns are replica firearms used primarily for sporting and recreational purposes, including military games. They use compressed-air, gas, or spring or electric-operated pistons to shoot non-metallic pellets or balls. Because these guns shoot plastic rather than metal pellets, it is not clear under current law whether they are considered firearms similar to “BB” guns. Therefore, the bill revises the definition of a firearm by specifying that any air gun, spring gun, gun utilizing a gas or electric-operated piston, pistol, including one that is shoulder-fired, or similar weapon which ejects a pellet or ball made of polymer or metallic-coated polymer constitutes a firearm. Under this revised definition, airsoft guns would be considered firearms and regulated similar to BB guns. For example, a person would have to be at least 21 years of age to purchase an airsoft handgun or 18 years of age to purchase airsoft rifles. The person also would have to obtain a permit to purchase the gun, pass a criminal background check, and not be subject to any disqualifications for firearms ownership

just glancing through the abstract this kind of reminds me of the British laws on airsoft

[CommieHunter]

This is a little ridiculous that States have this type of a view of airsoft replicas.

[Matt]

a person would have to be at least 21 years of age to purchase an airsoft handgun or 18 years of age to purchase airsoft rifles. The person also would have to obtain a permit to purchase the gun, pass a criminal background check, and not be subject to any disqualifications for firearms ownership

I like it! Where can I vote YES?

Let's think seriously about this. Airsoft guns are INCORRECTLY classified as toys to avoid additional cost in import taxes. They are not TOYS. This is America, there's 100s of real firearms to confuse these with. It's not like Japan or China where the average citizen can't even own a real gun. We need a clear definition by law of what an Airsoft replica is. Is it a firearm? Is it a sporting goods product? It's definitely NOT a toy.

In order to keep selling and distributing REALISTIC Airsoft replica guns here in the United States.... Something like this has to happen. We just have to make sure it's done in a way that benefits us. No sweeping FPS limits, no requirements on size or color of the replica. If it's a firearm, let's have it as realistic as possible then.

[Ivan Daylovich™]

I think it is a toy. There is no reason a toy can't be dangerous.

http://gizmodo.com/5849871/12-nuclear-t ... /gallery/1

[Matt]

LOL. I think it comes down to this: Should a parent leave their child unsupervised with this product? If the answer is no, it's not a toy. 80% of the bad news press about Airsoft involves kids who are unsupervised with Airsoft guns.

It's something that's obviously lost in translation from Asia to America. Our kids are fat little bastards who shoot the neighbor's dog with an AEG and then get real guns drawn on them by the local PD when the neighbors call.

[Ivan Daylovich™]

Some kids can be left alone. My brother and I were smart and lived on a farm though, so we're probably the exception.

The difference in opinions here is the definition of toy, not on what should be done. I agree with you there.

[Steve]

+1, Matt.

Airsoft replicas are not toys, and should not be treated as such.

Now, the interesting question then becomes, if they are treated as firearms by statute, and the replicas are of NFA-controlled items, does that mean that NJ airsofters will need tax stamps for their AEGs? And since the ATF doesn't currently issue tax stamps for AEGs, does that mean they would need to be registered as AOWs? Or just forbidden in some nebulous no-mans-land of legislation?

[Ivan Daylovich™]

I was gonna ask if they'd be protected under the Second Amendment, but then remember we don't have one anymore.

[Archangel 06]

Next question - because they are often fully automatic, will you need a Class 3 License to own them?

[Matt]

Here's the only thing about this bill that concerns me:

Bob Smith runs another Bill S811 that will categorize the act of adding or removing an orange muzzle tip to a real firearm or airsoft gun as a crime of the fourth degree. The law says that a crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a fine up to $10,000 or imprisonment for about 18 months; or both.

If they are going to require permits to buy them, call them firearms, and require a criminal background check.... They shouldn't require an orange flash-hider.

[McNair]

But they want the orange tips so people know they're toys, Matt.

[CommieHunter]

I can see giving airsoft guns their own section of legislation, but I think this particular setup is the wrong way to do it. By calling them firearms, you subject them to hundreds of other laws that pertain to firearms, including possession by a felon, the aforementioned ATF laws on short barreled and AOW items, the aforementioned orange tip issue, etc.

The only way this makes sense is if you have a competent policymaker who understands what airsoft is and what the application of it is and makes it clear that they are not under the same restrictions as firearms.

Can you imagine the trouble if someone who doesn't have a CHL gets arrested at an airsoft field and prosecuted because they had an airsoft pistol, now a 'real firearm' concealed in their bag with no permit?

It's one thing to give them a specific classification, much like air rifles have. It's another totally different thing to call them firearms.

[Evil Zergling137]

They are Toys. I can't believe people here actually want them regulated.

Paintball guns are toys too. Looking like a real weapon from a distance doesn't make it any less a toy.

[Matt]

I get your other points, but I see nothing wrong with felons not being allowed to own Airsoft guns.

[Jester316]

I get your other points, but I see nothing wrong with felons or kids not being allowed to own Airsoft guns.

Fixed.