Can a Canadian Buy an Airsoft Gun in Washington State

The manager of an airsoft gun and equipment shop in Waterloo says the sport is being unfairly targeted by Canada'south new gun control legislation.

Ziming Wan, managing director of BlackBlitz Airsoft, demonstrates an airsoft rifle at the testing range in Waterloo store. (Joe Pavia/CBC)

Ziming Wan, manager of BlackBlitz Airsoft, demonstrates an airsoft rifle at the testing range in Waterloo store. (Joe Pavia/CBC) 0:58

The manager of an airsoft gun and equipment shop in Waterloo says the sport is being unfairly targeted by Canada's new gun control legislation.

Beak C-21, is currently being debated in the House of Commons. Its goal, according to Federal Minister of Public Safe Beak Blair, is to "end the proliferation, importation, export or auction of those replica firearms that exactly resemble regulated firearms and discharge projectiles at a unsafe velocity," said his office in an emailed statement to CBC K-W.

The statement said when it becomes police force, Bill C-21 will not bear on "constabulary-abiding owners and sport shooters." And air guns — or airsoft guns — "that practise not exactly replicate an existing firearm are non prohibited."

But Ziming Wan, who manages the BlackBlitz Airsoft shop in Waterloo, says the legislation didn't clearly state that when the bill was presented in its offset reading and he worries it will ultimately pb to the banning of replica paintball guns and airsoft guns used by gamers beyond the country.

"If the bill passes in its current state, this business volition close down. I volition lose my job. The owner will lose everything. Our five employees will all lose their jobs," said Wan.

Sgt. David Caron with Guelph Police Service says the challenge for police is many officers wouldn't know if a gun was a replica or existent until they handled it for themselves. (Joe Pavia/CBC)

"All this [stock] would be prohibited from being sold, transferred or exported in Canada. And so it becomes dead inventory that we tin't fifty-fifty liquidate."

Existent vs. replica

Airsoft is a popular simulated military combat game — essentially a game of tag with simulated weapons, said Wan. Information technology'south played in either small groups or weekend events that, before the pandemic, could involve up to 500 people.

The object of the game is similar to paintball and played at paintball fields. Players vesture protection, including goggles or rubber spectacles, and instead of paintballs airsoft players shoot small plastic biodegradable pellets at each other.

Sgt. David Caron, who played paintball when he was younger says "in the right environs, with the right people it tin can be a safe sport."

But in his piece of work with Guelph Police's Tactics and Rescue Unit, he knows get-go-hand that replica guns are a challenge for police services beyond North America.

"There's been a number of investigations I've been involved in where until I really first handling the firearm to prove it rubber, I don't even know at the time picking it up and putting it in my hand if it'southward real or if it's a replica," said Caron.

"They are then real looking, said Caron. "They have the logo of the manufacturer and serial numbers so you lot tin't tell the difference."

He says police take every gun phone call seriously — whether information technology's shots fired or a citizen spotting someone in their neighbourhood walking down the street holding a gun that may be fake.

The airsoft game uses small biodegradable pellets. (Joe Pavia/CBC)

Petition for alter

Wan believes including airsoft guns under the replica ban substantially criminalizes the sport, and he wants to see the manufacture pushing for full legalization.

"There was no consultation with the industry before [the regime] did this," said Wan. "Airsoft toys are not a threat to public safety. They are made so y'all can play with your friends and not hurt your friends. All airsoft stores in Canada are minor businesses and they can't take blows like this."

Airsoft groups beyond the country have started east-petitions asking the government to remove airsoft guns from Bill C-21.

More than than 50,000 people have signed through a Change.org petition and one hosted on the Firm of Eatables website.