Really bad idea!
 

A new Airsoft group called "Airsoft's little warriors" was posted yesterday on a Quebec Airsoft page. They seem to be located in Laprairie, Qc, for kids over 10 years of age. The group purpose is to "teach" airsoft and security to young kids so they can play and have fun. There's a video on their page that tells what distance is safe to play around your house as well as several pictures of kids playing in public. I've been arguing against the idea on Facebook but it seems people are defending this kind of behavior. Is this what airsoft has become?

https://www.facebook.com/petitsguerriersairsoft/

Alert the local Law Enforcement

Agreed. This needs to be stopped, it is setting a terrible example. Who's running this shit show, an adult? Someone needs to give their head a shake. If these kids want to play with guns in public, they've got water and nerf, Airsoft can stay at an appropriate facility.

I was arguing with an airsoft photographer/player named Yanick Barils on a Facebook page he owns and on which he posted this group and was banned the second I said I would share this with Airsoft Canada. He isn't the adult supervising this group of player though. The person supervising the group is called Jean-Luc Tessier.

I see no issues in kids playing while being supervised;

but those photos tells a whole different story

How the hell can someone (an adult at that) can think it's a good idea to bring a bunch of kids and have them run around the house in a neighborhood like pictured?

1+ on that sir. This should not be allowed to continue.

Their reasoning seems to be "Well we tried taking them to the local fields but they say nobody under 18 years". Well then, drive little Timmy and his friends way out in the woods if you absolutely have to, and get a permit or something equivalent so they can play safely away from the public.

Also, most fields I've been to is totally fine with kids under 18, as long as there is parental supervision. I think the parents just don't want to pay field-fees or something and would rather let the kids run around the neighbourhood for free instead.

Who parks a semi parked on their driveway?


Oh right.. +1 to law enforcement

Yeah, just alert local law enforcement... better yet, wait until they are playing then act dumb and call in a 911 call about "people running around with rifles in the streets".. THAT will get some action going.

I hope it doesn't ruin it for the kids. Maybe all they really need is an officer to come down, and speak to them calmly about proper regulations and safety measures/appropriate places to play.

I think their hearts are in the right place, but they lack a little understanding as to how seriously the safety/control measures of airsoft should be taken (they probably equate airsoft to playing "cops and robbers" when they were kids).

I'd like to see a solution that corrects the problem without destroying their fun and stomping all over their enthusiasm.

All for kids learning with adults but that is super irresponsible allowing rifles to be see/used in public.

I would call the local police non-emergency line and inform them of all the information you have found out, I feel bad for the kids in that instance but this is not a hobby to be played in the public.

Yeah, I don't care about these people's feelings. Call the police.

Ya - let's see who's feelings get hurt once a kid gets shot!

Good day ASC members

We would like to take a moment to add to the conversation. These pictures have been posted by a group of parents that would like to teach theirs kids about airsoft and responsibilities. These pictures have been posted before we met the parents. We had a good conversation about the law, rules and public responsibility. Which is why they now play in a closed and controlled environment that is insured and supervised.

As all of us know airsoft rules and regulations are not easy to come by. There are many interpretations and opinions about our beloved sport. The group of parents showed us interest in going in the right direction. Coaching people to act a certain way is more productive then threatening them. As a parent I understand what they want to do. Create the next generation of responsible airsoft player. We all make mistakes and the ability to learn and move forward is the most important thing. Please provide them with wisdom and guidance as they enter our community.

With respect to the community.

I have no problem with teaching kids about airsoft and responsibilities, I really don't. Almost EVERY city/town in Canada, however, have bylaws in place prohibiting the use of paintball/airsoft/firearms/bows, etc outside of licensed facilities. That means shooting it around your house, in public, is in violation of that, which in turn (thanks to airsoft being classified as 'uncontrolled firearms') opens up the users to federal criminal charges.
If you are going to teach, do so in the proper environment suitable to the activity, using proper safety equipment, with the proper licensing and insurance in place (that only protects you as well as your visitors).