Airsoft is a popular sport involving airsoft guns, or toy guns that shoot plastic pellets using compressed gas or air.  These guns, which are manufactured by companies such as Tokyo Marui and Echo 1, are made to look just like real guns.  They are used in games such as Capture the Flag, as well as military simulations (MilSim) and historical reenactments.

Even though airsoft guns aren’t as lethal as real guns, they can still be dangerous, so safety rules must be followed.

1. Always wear eye protection.  This one reminds me of the movie The Christmas Story, where the little boy wants a BB gun and all the adults keep telling him he’ll shoot his eye out.  It’s funny in the movie, but it’s a valid concern, so always protect your eyes when you are handling airsoft guns.
2. Keep the gun pointed at the ground when you’re not getting ready to shoot.  Unless you’re about to shoot, your airsoft gun should be pointed in a direction where it can’t hurt anyone if it goes off accidently.  The best place to keep it pointed is at the ground.
3. Treat every gun like it’s loaded.  Part of gun safety is always treating every gun like it has the potential to go off, even if you’re positive it’s not loaded.

Gun safety rules apply to toy guns such as airsoft guns, too.  Even though they only shoot plastic BBs, these guns still have the ability to hurt or injure a person in a worst case scenario, and at the very least scare them silly.

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