Lock and load!

Recently I've been browsing thru the net and reading a lot about Airsoft. It's kinda the same sport as Paintball. But instead use paint balls for bullets as the Paintball does, the Airsoft uses the plastic pellets called as the "BBs". The big difference between these two sports are that the weapons, or I can say the appearance of the weapons used. In Paintball, the weapons just look 'unreal' if we can say that. The design, from the barrel, the round clips and as overall it will just looks like one of those water-gun that are sold in toy shops. Aside from that, Airsoft gives more touching and unique feeling as the weapons they use look close to the real-steel. Even the size is just the same as real guns or rifles. BUT they are made mostly from plastic, the 'real appearance' comes from the great and professional way how they paint it. The painting is so good, it gives metal look, with shiny parts. In a glance, people will just think that they are the real thing.

Of course they are lighter, like example the AK-47 model only weighs about 2 kg, while the real one weighs about 3 kg. You can have these models from old-school Colt revolver gun to the big-bad-ass Minimi aka machine gun. Airsoft guns use three systems: Automatic Electric Guns (AEGs), Gas Blowback Gun (GBB), and Spring-Powered (SPG). Each category will have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Not only that, you can even attach other accessories to the guns, like scopes, etc. Of course the scope will be the real scope but they come in wide varieties such type and prices.

Airsoft game can cover in so many scenarios such as: Assassination, Attack and Defend, Building (Engineer Mission), Sabotage, Search and Destroy, Total Elimination aka Last Man Standing, etc.

This game is being played by so many countries, where you will find so many clubs or clans with unique styles. They even will have their own insignia, tactics and strategies, etc. For sure this is a manly game but doesn't mean only males can play this, they are also female players who love to crawl in the bush await to ambush their enemies. Airsoft is would be a fun game to be spent at weekends or holidays where you can get together with your friend and families. Just don't take it as an alternative date lol. Oh this game is not designed only for military freaks (oh please), these players are accountants, doctors, teachers, professional lawyers, businessmen, students, etc.

But here in Australia, Airsoft is banned. Why? "Because the guns look like the real thing and because they are dangerous to eyes". Please someone tell me that's not the real reason. Indeed they look a hell lot of like the real guns but doesn't mean we cannot play it as another way of activity. There has been an online petition to make Airsoft to be allowed in Australia but I don't think it would be happening real soon.

The first Airsoft website I visited was made by one of Indonesian Airsoft clubs called "Code 4". And this makes me wondering, why it is not bannable in Indonesia? Is it because the Government and the authorities give more 'trust' to their people and give more freedoms to have fun by playing Airsoft? Or is it just simply because the laws and orders are not that strong and obeyed by the people? BUT even to play the game in Indonesia, we have to inform to the local authorities such as Police, or Army Installation. And to open a shop selling these gun models, you need a written and legal documents signed by Government, which I'm quite sure will take a lot of paper works. And it's very rarely to hear a crime that has done by someone who only use plastic gun models, mostly they use real guns. (Damn, doesn't it sound bad? I didn't mean to but there you go...) =P

Anyway, I was expecting that Australia has more trust to the people here and believe that they are wise enough to play Airsoft. Of course one might say that this is just a prevention. Do you really think it is? Or do you think the Government and society are just take it too far? Well, I'll let you to answer it by yourself. Someone can call me a military freak (I know you will call me that, Zar hehehe), but do I really want to bring around the plastic models to scare people on the street or even commit a more serious crime like robbery? Indeed I like guns, their models and appearance but I never intent to hurt or even kill someone or some animals that is against the laws =)

"Common sense and education are highly compatible; in fact, neither is worth much without the other."
Donald G. Smith