Airsoft guns are not real firearms, but the same awareness and safety practices still apply. I dare say the chance of injury may be elevated do the perception of airsoft guns as toys. However, a couple of common sense rules when handling airsoft guns can insure a fun and safe day at the field.
When not engaged in game play, clear your weapon. Remove the magazine from your airsoft gun and fire it (in a safe direction) at least two times to the clear barrel and feed tube. Place your gun on safe and apply a barrel protector. Be sure to place your airsoft gun in some form of gun case or bag, especially when transporting in a vehicle or carrying it to and from the car. Do not carry, transport, or display, in any fashion, your airsoft gun to the general public.
Treat every airsoft gun as if it were a loaded one. Given the small size of airsoft bbs and the fact that airsoft guns do not chamber and clear in the same manner as real firearms, the chance of a rouge bb being present in your gun is much greater than any real firearm. The simple fact that airsoft guns do not need ammo to complete a firing action means they will possible fire anything that is in the barrel. A piece of dirt or the patch you used to clean your barrel may fly out even though there is no bb in the gun.
Do not point your airsoft gun at anyone you are not intending to shoot. This goes for on and off the field. Practice good muzzle discipline when playing, you stand a much greater chance of being injured by a teammate than the opposing force. Be aware of your teammate s line of fire and do not cross into it without making them aware of your intended actions. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the operator to insure that they practice proper muzzle discipline to avoid friendly fire.
Be aware of the minimum engagement distance. Familiarize yourself with the field rules, and pay special attention to the minimum engagement distance and procedures when you are within this distance. When in doubt call yourself out, lower your airsoft gun, and follow the procedures set forth by the field for removing yourself from play. No game, no matter how heated, is worth an injury.
I have actually seen far less injuries from airsoft than paintball. Most of the injuries I witnessed in paintball happened before, after, or between matches. The periods between games are by far the most dangerous. Everyone is getting their gear ready, muzzles are pointing in all directions, and most people are either putting safety gear on or taking it off. A gun falls, is pushed out of the way to make room for your vest, or a battery gets connected to a gun that is not on safe, these are just some of the events that are happening as you are getting ready for the next match. Is your eye protection on?
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