Please help us Aussies legalize Airsoft

The AAC (Australian Airsoft Council) is trying to build a case in order in convince our lawmakers for a change in legislation to legalize the sport. We're trying to come up with reasons other than the usual, "its good exercise".

For those of you not aware, air-soft is banned here in all our states, mostly because of it's similar appearance to the real thing. Air-soft weapons are also classified under our law as firearms, and the law doesn't recognize a genuine need for air-soft weapons, even with a firearms license.

If any of you come with some good reasons or feel like this is a good cause, please feel free to discuss or join/like/comment to the group

https://www.facebook.com/airsoft.council?hc_location=stream

I don't get it, if they're concerned about them looking like the real thing, why not design them with some obvious "not a real gun" type feature?

wow, you guys have some lame rules down there, they might as well make fun illegal. AND NO JOKING AROUND

Even if we could convince them about changing the appearance, that would really take the fun out of Milsim. Another thing is the ban in all automatic firearms (incl. Airsoft) would still limit us to single shot rifles and handguns, firearms license or not..There are also a couple of other things

What Reasons Do The Gov't and Police Give?
Ministers have responded with the following. These quotes are taken directly from letters and emails the Police Ministers of each State and the Federal Home Affairs Minister and therefore constitute the entire Australia Vs Airsoft case. -

"They are banned under current state and federal legislation"
"They are exact copies of current military firearms and function as fully or semi-automatic firearms"
"They fire 6mm plastic ball bearings, break the skin, and cause pain on contact"
"The sport emulates military search and destroy missions"
"The activity of Airsoft as a means of shooting another person whilst acting out military simulations with similarly styled firearms would appear to be at odds with the expectations of the wider community"
"Firearms that can be perceived as real can be used in criminal activities such as robberies."
Limiting the availability of these guns greatly assists police to make more accurate risk assessments about the capacity and type of firearms involved in critical incidents."
"Many in the community are concerned that airsoft promotes violence, and may also serve as a screen for paramilitary training associated with illegal or terrorist activities."
"There is a real danger of the weapons being misused by unauthorised persons unless vigilantly controlled."
"Police hold concerns regarding the potential for Airsoft guns to be manipulated in the future, to enable them to be used with a range of projectiles."

(taken from http://www.airsoftcouncil.com.au/index.php/about-airsoft-81/airsoft-laws#.Ubksfvkwco4)

I think South Australia is the only state to have made any recent changes: You're limited to guns that are below 175 fps, and the cops keep track of each person that buys (don't quote me on this)

It's a start i guess..

In Canada, we have to use clear guns , so they don't appear real, as well as using orange tips.

Kizaru said:

I think South Australia is the only state to have made any recent changes: You're limited to guns that are below 175 fps, and the cops keep track of each person that buys (don't quote me on this)

It's a start i guess..

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I live in south Australia and i haven't heard about this? On the SA police website it still says all Airsoft are illegal?

tonyt said:

I live in south Australia and i haven't heard about this? On the SA police website it still says all Airsoft are illegal?

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From what i hear, the only approved airsoft vendor in aus, you can find him at the brickworks markets.

Here's some info, if you're interested

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1752572

Did you even read that thread?
It is from 2 years ago and the brickpit closed over a year and a half ago?
From what i have read the seller there was importing them illegally and telling buyers that they were legal and he was the "only seller in Australia" then selling them for 1000% profit to idiots. Who, if found with them would have them confiscated! The whole "write your name in a registry" was just a rouse.. He ended up getting shut down. Airsoft are and have been always illegal in S.A.

My god Australian gov sucks, mo lasers no airsoft no im sure a bunch of other fun stuff,

as for your question as said, make it look fake,, red , clear, orange guns ect,, also simulate military action ? we also have video games, goal is to cause pain? so is boxing, certain martial arts, football and rugby ( to some degree) ect can be used in illegal activities ,, so can real guns, knives bombs ect.. and those are actually a real threat.
promotes violence ? no- many psychologists show sports and games are a way to release violence in a healthy way

can be perceived as real? signs and fake looking guns can prevent this during matches

ect a lot more can be said.

I liked the Facebook page to show my support, I wouldn't mind trying Airsoft one day .