The continuing story on the ATF-CBP confiscation of the airsoft guns in Tacoma, Washington is keeping airsoft forums abuzz, whether in the US or at some international airsoft forums where pundits (or even insta-pundits) try to bring some sense to the discussion. Whether they are chairsofters or really well-versed in the mechanics of airsoft guns vis-a-vis use as real steel weapons when converted, that's for you to conclude. But for now, we would love to see the ATF fire a round from a converted WE GBB-R that can produce "devastating ramifications".

For all we know, the WE GBB-R might just explode in the hands of an ATF agent if they try to convert and fire one. Now, that will be a case of "devastating ramifications."

The aggrieved party to this, Airsoft Outlet Northwest, has been trying to make its case. In this instance, they have come out with a statement regarding their predicament in the airsoft business, since most airsoft retailers around the world, not only in the US, are dependent on airsoft imports from the Far East, given that they do not have their own home grown airsoft manufacturer, and it's more lucrative to import the cheaper airsoft replicas from Asia.

In their statement, "Airsoft: And Industry Without Standard", Benjamin Martin details the history of their business what they are exasparated with all the hassles of importing airsoft guns.

Airsoft Outlet Northwest has learned the hard way about all the unpredictable rules that come along with importing Airsoft replicas. When we started importing AEG's from G&P late 2006 we only knew of one obvious rule to importing, the replicas had to have blaze orange tips to indicate that they were in fact nothing more than toys. The more product we brought in the more we discovered that the rules were very malleable and arbitrary. We had one shipment from G&P come in and the inspecting CBP Agent held them because the AEG's had trademark infringed bodies, but he allowed us to come in and deface the trademarks so that we could bring in the replicas legally. The agent was kind, understanding, and a former Marine who was genuinely interested in our product. We learned from our mistakes and ensured that all future overseas orders wouldn't include trademark infringed AEG's. Our faith in the importation process and working with CBP was solid, we figured as long as we imported replicas with orange tips and that were free of illegal trademarks then we wouldn't have anything to worry about.

With the ATF adamant that the replicas have potentially "devastating ramifications" in statements released to the media by the Port Director of Tacoma, Airsoft Outlet Northwest had this to say:

This statement that these replicas could shoot live ammo with a few internal changes alone is absolutely ludicrous! I doubt these CBP agents, let alone ATF agents, bothered to notice that these Airsoft replicas lack feed ramps to load real ammunition; so it would be physically impossible if someone wanted to use the WE TTI M4 as a whole unit to shoot live ammo. I'm not a machinist, but I can assume that it takes a little longer than 'a short period of time' to mill a precise feed ramp for an aluminum barrel that doubtingly could withstand the 62,366 psi that a 5.56mm NATO round can put off. As a side note, the average velocity of a 5.56mm NATO round is 940 meters/sec, the average velocity of one of these Airsoft replicas is 137 meters/sec. To me that doesn't sound like the Airsoft M4 could handle firing any sort of real ammunition.

Now we at Airsoft Outlet Northwest, being the rational individuals we are, went out and had a gunsmith check the true compatibility of these replicas and found the following information:

• The WE TTI M4's lack any sort of functional gas tube which is integral to an AR15's operation
• The upper receiver of an AR15 fits onto the lower of the WE TTI M4
• The stock trigger pack in the WE TTI cannot strike the firing pin of a AR15 bolt
• The body of the WE TTI lower is several mils thinner than an AR15 lower, and shims would be needed for any AR trigger pack to work
• The trigger pack of an AR15 appears to be able to fit onto the lower receiver of a WE TTI M4, one of the AR15 trigger pack retaining pins is impossible to insert without major modification, and the hammer isn't operable with the WE TTI lower.

So essentially these Airsoft replicas cannot even operate an AR15 trigger pack without heavy modification with a precise tooling system operated by someone who knows the specific measurements to drill and tap the WE TTI lower receiver.

To me this doesn't sound like it's feasible within "a short period of time".

What does this mean to the guys running the business that everything is arbitrary and the CBP and ATF do not have a proper set of rules and standard that can be followed to ensure that the importation are done in good faith and a legitimate airsoft business can go about its legitimate business. The items are not being smuggled for any underground arms business, but to serve the local airsoft community that is growing leaps and bounds over the years.

In the end, it's about a business being destroyed by some callous bureaucrats who have lost their common sense, and hiding behind some big words of "protecting the people" by being vigilant of watching the borders and ports of entry of weapons that can be brought upon people with "devastating implications". They have not shown proof that the WE GBB-Rs can fire live rounds.

They might as well ban kitchen knives from all american homes since they too have potentially "devastating ramifications."

You can join the discussion at Airsoft Outlet Northwest here. If you want to support them, then just contact the CBP Director at the address and contact information they have provided in that page.