While Senator De Leon, with his SB798,  is much more concerned about safety issues regarding replica or imitation firearms, and exempting paintball for reasons that he cannot really defend, airsoft companies helped out in a memorial fundraiser in honor of a California teenager who was killed in a road accident.

According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, friends, family and supporters of San Gabriel resident, Bo Feng, hosted a fundraiser at Tac City Airsoft last Friday, August 12, 2011. The fundraiser was done to help her family and help promote pedestrian safety in San Gabriel Valley. 17-year old Bo Feng was killed by an unidentified driver last July 15.

The fundraising activity was called "CQB Day" where supporters of the family of Bo Feng had airsoft games, lunch activities and a raffle draw. The prizes were mainly airsoft products from SOCOM Gear, Echo1 USA Airsoft, and MadBull Airsoft.

California is said to be one of the deadliest states for pedestrians in the USA, Disabled World reports that Los Angeles alone in 2008, had 214 pedestrian deaths, and 4,985 injuries. As for deaths and injuries as caused by replica weapons when mistaken by law enforcement as real fireams, it is minimal. The residents of San Gabriel worry more about pedestrian safety, and since California is one of the more dangerous states to pedestrians, it is more important to give more attention to pedestrian safety and injuries than replica firearms.

At least in the case of Bo Feng, the airsoft community has helped out to help promote pedestrian safety and push local governments to put more emphasis on this issue. If Senator Kevin De Leon is genuinely concerned about Public Safety in the State of California, he should champion pedestrians who are more in danger to reckless drivers, or lack of safety precautions or warning signs for both drivers amd pedestrians. Putting his sight on replica firearms which are not primary causes of death or injuries to the community is a misguided way to provide safety to the citizens of California.

(Teaser photo source: http://ykilifestyles.tumblr.com/)