Airsoft fans defend their sport

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This article was published 01/03/2021 (1694 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Liberals haven’t exactly endeared themselves to local Airsoft fans, who are up in arms regarding a proposed ban on the sale of replica guns.

Under Bill C-21, for which second reading was made in Ottawa on Friday, mid-velocity replica firearms would be prohibited.

Existing owners would be grandfathered in, but unable to transfer their toys to anyone else.

For Kevin and Tracy Solomon — the duo behind the annual Westman Airsoft Con at the Kinsmen Centre — the bill’s royal assent would be a significant blow.

“It’s just — it’s a fun sport,” Kevin said. “I’ve been playing for about 17 years. A lot of people have put a lot of time and money into it — the guns and stuff — and I think it should keep going because it’s a sport people like to play and have fun with.”

The couple’s first date in 2014 was centred around an Airsoft game, and while it was new to Tracy at the time, she became an immediate fan.

The Solomon family has an impressive collection of Airsoft guns on display in their home, which includes a couple walls full of replica firearms.

Although the toys might appear scary, they shoot six-millimetre spherical plastic balls at a velocity of approximately one-tenth that of paintballs.

Between the Westman Airsoft Con and an Airsoft field the Solomons operate on 14 acres of land around the Bry-Mar RV Park & Campground just outside of Brandon, Kevin said they haven’t been witness to any injuries related to the toys’ projectiles.

The only injury he can think of came as a result of a player stepping on a pallet board that had a nail sticking out of it.

Similarly, Daniel Gustowski, part-owner of the Hop Up Heroes Airsoft Field in Richer, said the only injuries he has seen have been for things like sprained ankles.

“Blindsided” by the Liberals’ proposed ban, Gustowski joined a national effort to defend the sport and has become Manitoba’s representative in political advocacy.

Of potential concern is the guns’ realistic nature, which he said he can understand.

After all, their realistic nature is what has drawn a lot of people to choose Airsoft over paintball guns.

This, he said, is why players are encouraged to treat their Airsoft guns with the same respect one might a real firearm, which includes transporting the toys in cases so people don’t mistake them for real guns.

Despite these precautionary measures, he said the guns are ultimately “toys” and not dangerous in their own right.

“I couldn’t believe they were trying to ban toys, essentially,” he said. “It’s quite ridiculous to think that going after law-abiding citizens is going to help criminals not do their thing.”

He credits the Solomons with helping build the Airsoft community in Westman and putting together the Westman Airsoft Con — “A bright spot in the dead of winter.”

Usually, anyway. This January’s event was cancelled due to COVID-19 health restrictions.

Although approximately 200 people attended last year’s event, Kevin estimates there are around 500 Airsoft enthusiasts in Westman.

It’s a community he said has grown during recent years, and which he anticipates will continue to grow unless Bill C-21 effectively kills it.

Both Kevin and Tracey agreed they would be willing to do whatever they can to save the sport, even if it means registering their toy guns or making them appear less realistic by adding orange tips to their barrels like some jurisdictions, but not Manitoba, mandate.

Gustowski encourages Airsoft fans and supporters to sign a House of Commons petition online at bit.ly/2ZZtnYU.

The petition was set up by Simcoe-Grey Conservative MP Terry Dowdall and closes March 26.

» tclarke@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB