We've received several emails about the Airsoft Safety Foundation in the United States. Thumpy's 3-D House of Airsoft has written more details about it and he shares with us what this organization is all about. If you're for the preservation of the sport, then this foundation is what you will need to support, whether you're in the airsoft business or you're an airsoft player.

The Airsoft Safety Foundation, was founded by 11 California companies. Their "collective mission has been to enhance and promote the safe sport of airsoft through training, education and outreach here in California as well as through industry wide initiatives, such as through the development of safe ASTM standards for airsoft products. (ASTM is the American Society for Testing and Materials, a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards)."

But right now, according to Thumpy, their main concern is the California SB798, which would affect companies which collectively have over US$150 million in revenues and over 250 employees. This is not yet counting other companies and their employees that support airsoft within the sport's "halo" --- gadgets dealers, tactical gear makers, events organizers, and safety/protection companies, if it gets passed. If you wonder who these companies are, these are some of the biggest names in airsoft in the US:

• 101 Tech USA
• Airsoft Extreme
• Airsoft G.I.
• Airsplat
• Evike
• Gamepod Combat Airsoft
• JAG Precision
• KWA Performance Industries
• Prima USA
• Softair USA
• Specialized Distribution (Team SD)
• Spartan Imports
• Tac City Airsoft
• UKARMS

The talking points of the foundation against CA SB798, explains the implocations of airsoft guns being required bright colors or transparent bodies when it gets approved by the State of California:

• Undermines "all of our efforts at airsoft safety."
• It is going to criminalize and limit the property rights of current California merchants and owners and it will inevitably lead to an unsafe and unregulated black market in both airsoft and BB guns.
• For safety sake, neither a BB device nor an airsoft device should be colored as toys. The predominant black colors are purposeful expressions of the fact that these devices are only for individuals over 18 years of age. This law would color them in candy pink and green. Young children may believe to believe these are harmless toys for their plan and enjoyment. Airsoft and BB guns are colored black for good reason, they are devices that must be handed with care and respect.
• The military-style marketing which surrounds airsoft may alienate and frighten members of the public who do not understand that airsoft is a legitimate sport that requires strategy, training, fitness and endurance, perseverance, and etc. Please take the time to educate those whom you know what airsoft is, and that its practitioners include those whom are responsible for upholding our laws (police, FBI, military, and etc. who train using airsoft).

The companies are leading the fight against SB798, however, according to Airsoft GI "Our lobbyist told us that lawmakers have NOT heard a whole lot of opposition to this bill SB798 from their constituents." This can be attributed to an understanding that airsoft is not a mass sport. However, if airsoft players in California and the rest of the United States make actual visitation to members of the California Assembly rather than be content with letter writing and petition signing, to request for some time to talk to them in person, that an understanding might be developed.

We just hope that this foundation goes beyond the scrapping of CA SB798, and would try to achieve its mission as an organisation. But for now, the looming danger to airsoft in California, is the bill. We can all focus first at overcoming this, then work at improving airsoft safety and understanding among the public.