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Airsoft in Kern County
Topics: sports, airsoft, military simulation
Posted by jkappel Mon Mar 31, 2008 16:59:25 PDT
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0 responses 4 comments

Today, many people are taking up the sport of Airsoft here in Kern County. Airsoft by definition is a sport where players simulate military or law enforcement combat by using realistic looking guns and other combat gear. Airsoft guns are non-lethal replicas of real firearms which use compressed air to propel light weight plastic BBs at speeds between 100 and 650 feet per second.

Airsoft guns come in 3 varieties, spring, electric, and gas. Spring and electric guns both employ the use of a spring, a piston, and a cylinder as their firing mechanic. The spring is compressed, drawing the piston back and filling the cylinder with air. Once the trigger is pulled, the spring is released forcing the piston into the cylinder and the air out of the cylinder into the barrel of the gun where the BB is staged for firing. Gas guns, however, use compressed “green gas”, propane, CO2, or high pressure air. These guns have chambers which store the gas (or CO2 cartridge) and release a small amount into the barrel of the gun when the trigger is pulled. Electric guns us a battery and a motor to compress the spring allowing semi-automatic and fully automatic firing. Gas guns, like electric, are capable of both modes of fire as well. Spring guns must be manually cocked between each shot which prevents them from being capable of fully automatic firing.

Even though the name Airsoft is quite safe-sounding, airsoft guns are capable of causing injury when used improperly. However, with the right safety equipment and an adherence to some basic safety guidelines, the sport is quite safe. 

1. Airsoft guns should always be treated as real fire arms (with the exception of shooting other players wearing appropriate safety gear during a game). They should never be brandished in public places (anyplace the public can see) and should be concealed in some sort of carrying case when transporting them. If you are seen with an airsoft gun in a public place and someone believes it to be real, the police may respond as if you have a real firearm. A note to parents of children using airsoft guns. If your child brings an airsoft gun to school or uses it in any other public place, they can be prosecuted just as if they had a real firearm since airsoft guns can be quite easily mistaken for the real thing.
   
   
2. Never aim or shoot your airsoft gun at an animal or a person who is not wearing the proper protective gear. Minimum protective gear consists of eye wear rated for airsoft or paint ball, and clothing which minimizes exposed skin. It’s recommended that you wear full face protection (eyes, ears, and teeth), leather gloves, and durable clothes like jeans and multiple layers of shirts.
   
    
3. Research all local and federal laws governing the buying, carrying and use of airsoft guns. Contact your local police department for more information.

While airsoft guns can provide a great deal of fun, misuse of these guns can result in unnecessary injury or harm to users and innocent bystanders alike. It can also cause negative repercussions for the sport in general. Having a few rules will not detract from the fun of playing airsoft, rather it helps everybody to get the best out of the sport and it keeps everybody safe.

If you are interedted in learning more about Airsoft, visit the Kern County Airsoft Community online at http://www.kernairsoft.org

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Comment From: sunnica

Wow! How timely! I just stopped someone on the side of the road the other day and asked him all about this sport. I wanted someone to post about it because I think there is a lot to learn. I have also heard that there might be a new range opening up in town. Do you have any information about that? Thanks for posting this! Comment From: jkappel

Yes, there is a shop that opened up in December of 2007 called "Bakersfield Airsoft & CQB". It's an airsoft retail store and close quarters battle arena. There are also several outdoor battle fields in Kern County. Information about all of these places and more is located on the website listed beneath the article.

I'm curious about your statement that you stopped somone on the side of the road. Were they using / displaying airsoft guns in public?

Comment From: sunnica

No, no. He was hauling a trailer with some type of logo, and they were dressed in military garb. I was curious what they were doing because I hadn't heard there was anywhere to play. Upon second thought, though, they were paintball guns. :) Comment From: pedigo328

And of course with this growing sport there is also paintball. Both sports of the same idea and strategies, but of course different types of ammo and guns. Paintball guns can shoot of the same velocity, but usually between 280 to 320 feet per second because of the rule regulations of the courses. And all paintball guns are gas, either compressed or CO2 usually. Also, instead of plastic BBs, it is a literal paintball, that is usually about 50 mm in gauge. Both very fun, but sometimes painful, sports!