This Indonesian got lucky that he wasn't charged with any crime yet, and we won't be surprised if the authorities decide to charge him in the near future. If you're carrying an airsoft gun public, do not ever show it publicly, and much more point it at someone, even in an altercation, the chances of responding police to shoot and kill you is high. We stress this time and time again that airsoft should not be used in public.

It is understandable that traffic in Southeast Asia is horrendous, we're always there to check the airsoft scene as it's one of the most vibrant in the airsoft world, and we know how it feels to get stuck in traffic. What normally takes 30 minutes, takes about 2 hours in heavy traffic. Jakarta is no exception as it has one of the most choking traffic in the world. In order to avoid traffic a lot of Southeast Asians turned to motorcycles and scooters as it's easier to go into tight areas to get ahead of the rest.

One problem with the use of motorcycles and scooters is that criminal elements also use the same to commit crime, the easier get away vehicle. Robberies and assassinations involve the use of motorcycles and in our experience there police checkpoints are more focused on two-wheel riders than the four wheel ones and they get to confiscate and arrest such riders with possession of firearms. So before you get into some road rage somewhere in Jakarta, Bangkok, Hanoi, or even Manila, think twice since you might be facing the barrel of a gun.

Photo: Motorcyle traffic in Jakarta. (Source: Chinatown Stories)

In this case, according to the Jakarta Globe, the motorist was a four-wheel rider who was scolded by a motorcycle rider whilst parking his car. He was carrying an airsoft gun which he intended to have it fixed. He pointed at the rider to shut him up, and his reasoning with the police when he was arrested is that he thought the other rider also has gun. He escapes prosecutions as no one filed a complaint against him, and that there are no clear regulations on airsoft guns in Indonesia.

Whilst the authorities issue licenses for those who want to use airsoft guns for use in sport, they are not certain what law the guy has violated sice airsoft guns are not considered to be firearms due to lack of clear regulations.

Still, it is an irresponsible way of using an airsoft gun. It should never be used to intimidate or scare people off, especially in resolving traffic altercations. The guy also got lucky that the the motorcyclist didn't carry a real firearm or it would've been a bloody shootout with airsoft obviously at a great disadvantage.

Whether there are clear rules or not, common sense dictates that you should not brandish an airsoft gun in public. The guy got lucky he didn't get shot by the police, but still lost time as he was held overnight by the Jakarta Police, arrested on Saturday and released the next day. That's still a price he paid for.