Thoughts on this #1

[CJ]

Heya doods and doodettes if we have any

I've recently come up with an idea to help promote AA and educate the public:

"Airsoft Australia Education Days"

Which would involve staff getting together in locations yet to be decided on, to inform and educate the general public on what Airsoft really is and what Airsoft Australia is about.

We've come up with ideas on what we would like to have at these days, how we would go about them, but what we want to know now is your side of this.

What, as the public, would you like to see at these days? How can we address your concerns and queries? How can we make these days informative and enjoyable for you?

Look forward to hearing back from you.

Cheers.

CJ

[shelldrake]

I would start by by talking about the introduction of a new sport designed to promote young people getting outside (away from their tvs) exercising, developing problem solving skills, working as a team, initiative,etc to boost the good things of the game.

But it would be crucial to considering all the counter arguments that may be brought up and making sure that all members/staff are in agreeance with this reasoning.

Eg - People I have spoken to about this always bring up the possibility of a rise in gun related hold ups -

I read an interesting point somewhere that in Japan, because of tight gun control laws, it is assumed that if someone had a gun in public - it is considered by the public to be most likely to be a toy and therefore ineffective as a means to threaten people. (Eg. hold ups) If a criminal intends on acting in a threatening behaviour, they will do so - with a knife, bat, or whatever they believe they can do harm with. 

The club should be very safety focused and highlight the impotance of being responsible in these games.

[PortuguesePlaymaker]

I think we need to educate first all of us in the forum just to see if we are all on the same page, hopefully get a big turn out to see we have many committed supporters.

After that we should try and educate clubs with large numbers of people, but not get them to sit down and listen (boringgg.) at this point, just an on the go thing, quick chat, flyers, printouts on the wall etc... 1st clubs to go to should be gun clubs and etc as they already have the mentality of safety towards firearms and they would most likely enjoy to have the chance of shooting people with "toy" replicas of there real firearms so therefor promote and educate those around them.

Also reenactment people, laser tag and milsim/bushball type paintballers would like to also know about this sort of thing, but be careful as there will be rivalry if things don't go right and those who could help us will most likely be ignorant. (Paintball vs Airsoft, that things still goes on and on in most countries where they are both legal)

Only after we target the right people I reckon we should gather the feedback and produce something towards the general public. Something in the sort of FAQ, quick and effective. Not many people will spend their time listening to something that doesn't bother them and no one without interest will sit down for a proper session. You see it all the time at shops, city streets, etc... (I do the same, i just think they all want to sell something so mehh, get away from me)...

IMO, facebook & youtube are powerful tools in our modern days. Use and abuse...

[CJ]

@Shelldrake:

What we - AA, would like to have at these days would be, information in an amount so as to not bore onlookers, but enough so that it draws attention and captivates.

You bring up a good point on having ALL staff on the same page regarding FAQ's, and we are working towards being mutually adept in answering concerns. But in the chance that one of us doesn't know an answer, we can always fall back ona team member who knows, and/or an information pamphlet that anybody walking by can quickly get a hold of.


@PortugesePlaymaker:

As far as I know, we have contacted and received the support of a gun club in NSW.

For reenacting people, it would be a slightly different affair as AA is about getting our foot in the door ie. Target shooting with Airsoft, reenacting is probably not shy of that but still another step forward, since for Airsoft marksmanship there needn't be any resemblance to a "real" firearm as long as the firing mechanism is efficient, with reenactment there is a necessity.

As far as becoming one of the many annoying street stalls lol, when we do finally bring AA to the public, we will have to have something to draw their attention yet not promote the stereotypical stall thought process.


Cheers for the replies guys

CJ

[Imhitalready]

First off I live in the UK, not many people know about airsoft and when you explain it, can think you're a psycho so think carefully. There are three types, AIPSC (practical shooting), Milsim (pretending to be soldiers, real mag capacity ect.) and normal Airsoft (just for fun, no major emphasis on realism).

One thing you must emphasize is that IT IS A GAME. Compare it to paintball. They are similar, guns, airsoft ones fire alot further due to a 'hop up' design which can't be put in paintball guns, no mess from paint, can hurt less, with guidelines similar to UK, 350 fps full auto, 500 bolt action (30 meter min engagement) and 450 (30 meter minimum engagement) no harm can be done.

The main reason the government may not want airsoft is probably the fact the guns could easily be mistaken. Recomend that they make a law or something saying, RIFs cannot be shown in public (private land only such as airsoft sites) Say you can only transport it with a valid reason (to or from airsoft) and to make it easier say that you will accept that you must be over 18 to purchase and airsoft gun.


And guys









You will love it!

[CJ]

G'day Imhitalready.

When Airsoft gets legalised over here I'm guessing we'll have the same guidlines concerning FPS.

And the same with transporting the Airsoft firearms, we will mosst likely not be able to transport them without a proper case to carry them in, so as not to show the general public.

Cheers for the reply

CJ

[Mr. J]

The reason I've been held back is due to my lack of education.

I feel I cannot fully advocate until I have acquired the knowledge needed to fight my case.

As a result, it's taken up until now for me to be confident enough to make big change happen.

Follow Harry on the facebook page, as I'll be coordinating some new efforts within the next month.

[Arvardos]

Speaking of transporting airsoft weapons, one of the guys over in NZ and part of CTA got strange looks carrying a gun case on public transport, so in the end he started carrying his P90 around in a guitar case

[rob265]

It all about education, for user of bb,s gov (lack of understand) and public. If the gov is very hipacritical considering cig,s have killed more poeple then the gun deaths in aust. They seem real concerened about legisalating that real tight.

[Wonkah12]

Agreed... it is ridiculous... mainly for the fact that here airsoft weapons are classed as real guns of the same class, and not as simple 'toys' which they are. The thing is, all of us here (I am pretty sure) would adhere to any guidelines perfectly if we were allowed airsoft guns. I had a holiday in the US the other year, and had a day of airsoft. The game is great, I think what I played was more of a military-styled approach rather than game based... but then again that is my favourite aspect of the game!

So yeh, basically... I think it's just about convincing the public that this is a normal, fun and educational game which is not destructive and is supported by a large amount of people, and the afformentioned public services are probably a great way to do this!

[curef99]

did anybody have the text that you want to pass to the vote?
it would be great to have the point of view of lots of people in other country to get all the points cover before it is beeing presented:
-carrying and storage case with key lock
-18y
-require registration in a site for 2 months with at  least 3 games participation for the site to register you
-short list of site/shop being allow to purchase airsoft
-no full auto
-350fps max for semi auto, 400 for one shoot type
-high penalty for abusif use (use outsite shooting range and airsoft site)
These are the obvious, but if you can get a foreign lawer playing airsoft to help you with the wording it would be better.

please no red tips, it is ugly.

[Stoned Soldierz]

Hey guys. I've recently joined a reenactment club in Victoria and would be willing to bring it up at one of our meetings to try and get extra support from them. Also if you do have any pamphlets etc. i would be willing to take them in. Other then that at the moment I'm just going to spread the word and try and get as many people as possible to join the site and/or facebook.

[PortuguesePlaymaker]

Hey guys. I've recently joined a reenactment club in Victoria and would be willing to bring it up at one of our meetings to try and get extra support from them. Also if you do have any pamphlets etc. i would be willing to take them in. Other then that at the moment I'm just going to spread the word and try and get as many people as possible to join the site and/or facebook.

^^
Someone get on this!!

[RarRar]

-350fps max for semi auto, 400 for one shoot type

... you really have no idea do you