Airsoft in the news

[Crunchmeister]

Originally Posted by kullwarrior

anyone want to write to that journalist back?

I guess you haven't really been reading the thread....

[Frozencricket]

There are a few parts that are different when comparing the version in the Citizen to the version in the Gazette. They cut out a big part in the middle of the story about the local retailer. Great journalism, Citizen.

[Jimski]

this is censorship let's complain lol

[Capt. T/O]

As I was reading this article last night, this thought occurred to me.
I agree with most of you in that the article had many misconceptions regarding airsoft.
However, this may not be completely a bad thing.
When I read the article, it almost gave me an impression that airsoft was an "acceptable activity" that needed some regulating. After which airsoft would become a safer activity for most people to enjoy.
With this impression in my mind, I thought then perhaps with even more articles that are similar in scope, airsoft would be given some more legitimacy, instead of being an "underground sport" as it is now.
We have always discussed how to increase positive public exposure about our sport... although this article doesn't spin a positive picture, it doesn't spin a negative one neither. It did give it some legitimacy by saying that people in Japan have been doing it for some time, and that our friends south of the border are into it as well.
And, in my opinion, THAT doesn't harm our sport. Its a small stepping stone in the right direction, albeit with some misinformation.
With that article, people will now know there is such a thing called airsoft, and won't freak out when we mention it.

Slow and steady....

My simple minded opinion, if you will.
Take it for what its worth.

SC

[Crunchmeister]

I would agree with you on that if it wasn't for the fact that 100% of this tool's info was gathered from kids under 15 who know JACK SHIT about the game, and he's presenting this info as if it was the gospel of airsoft. That's sort of like writing an article on hockey and getting all your info from street hockey players in Calcutta who've never even seen a real hockey game.

[Blackthorne]

Can we all at least stop saying "journalist". Journalism is a fine occupation marked with in-depth research, training and an open, unbiased mind and approach.

I saw none of that in the article.

[Crunchmeister]

Originally Posted by Blackthorne

Can we all at least stop saying "journalist". Journalism is a fine occupation marked with in-depth research, training and an open, unbiased mind and approach.

I saw none of that in the article.

I'll have to second that.

[deep in the bush]

letters@thegazette.canwest.com

here is the editors email to write a responce to the paper. I am not sure how a barage of email about... "

"How dare does that reporter flaunt the self imposed rules of the airsoft community and suppy an AEG to minor. He should really have researched the sport and and self imposed rules of the community. It is a shame that he would report suppling AEGs to children something this commnity is trying its best to curb. I am ashamed of your reporter by breaking the self appointed regulation and then flaunt it to the province. I think he did a great misservice to the sport by making it seem "taboo" this will attract the wrong crowd. Frankly I have never played with 15 years old I would never supply such a device to a child never mind your own. I am ashamed of your parenting skills. perhaps the reporter should take a child safety course. If he wishes to understand the basic rules of the community :
18+ ...No children to play
No sales to children
We are fanatical about safety

I didn't see any report of the commnuity and its goals of creating a SAFE, responible experience. Frankly If I saw the reporter's children with airsoft in a public park I would call the police on them

Thank you for your time.


I send this to the editor.

[Janus]

Agreed. The easiest possible research that could have been done on this subject would be a simple jaunt to wikipedia or an entry into google.ca and this guy failed to do even that. The resulting 'article' pretty much portrayed our sport in precisely the fashion that we have been trying to avoid.

I mean, if he had talked to some ACTUAL AIRSOFTERS in the ACTUAL AIRSOFTING COMMUNITY who have experience in participating in ACTUAL AIRSOFT GAMES and organizers who put on ACTUAL AIRSOFT EVENTS, he might have drawn a different conclusion.

You know, a factual, accurate one.

[CupidStunt]

Originally Posted by Crunchmeister

The main point that they're missing in this thing is that THE 12-15 YEAR OLD AGE GROUP SHOULDN'T EVEN HAVE ACCESS TO THESE GUNS!!!

To you underage noobs out there who are all pissed because we rag that you can't have guns, this is why. This is the public perception you leave for us and jeopardize this sport. Even though it's a very small subsection of "airsoft players" that do stupid shit like having backyard games in public view and don't wear appropriate eye protection, it's all of us that get painted with the same broad, negative brush.

sooo 12 and under are capable?

[Crunchmeister]

Well, I bet my 9 year old could provide more realistic info on airsoft that I saw in this article. The difference is that I've taught him, and he doesn't have access to his AEGs unless he's under my direct supervision.

[Brian McIlmoyle]

The article was balanced..

It was not Journalism .. it was a Fluff piece .. and came off as such

The guy talks about the dangers and talks about the attraction of the activity.

What I took away from that article is .. this is a fun active game that kids love .. and as long as properly supervised.. the risk is low. How is this bad?

Clearly someone who volunteers to supervise games is not against the activity.

Jumping in and getting all huffy about the inaccuracies... or showing how "Soft air" or Clearsoft is not "airsoft" is pointless .. we are better served by a public perception of a mostly harmless game.. than an image of heavily armed men ( if armed with toys ) operating out of the public eye.

I can't see how taking the time to point out there is an entire community of grown men with much more accurate and menacing weapon replicas participating in similar if way more serious activity could be a benefit to anyone.

Leave it alone and it is forgoten in a week... poke it and you will bring the gaze of media.. with all that entails.

[spl01t77]

+1 ^

[beastman]

Originally Posted by Brian McIlmoyle

I can't see how taking the time to point out there is an entire community of grown men with much more accurate and menacing weapon replicas participating in similar if way more serious activity could be a benefit to anyone.

Leave it alone and it is forgoten in a week... poke it and you will bring the gaze of media.. with all that entails.

Agreed.

[The Saint]

Originally Posted by deep in the bush

I send this to the editor.

After you checked it for grammar and spelling, right? Because we don't need to flood them with a dozen emails that look like they were written by a 12 year old.