Great news from the European Airsoft Association (EAA), it looks like their contact in Brussels has filed several questions regarding airsoft in the European Commission (EC). This really is historical since airsoft is for the first time handled by the EC, we are really looking forward to their reply.

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2487/10
by Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (ALDE)
to the Commission
Subject: Airsoft

The recreational activity known as Airsoft has at least a million players in Europe. This game involves the use of an Airsoft device, which has the external features of a firearm, but is entirely unsuited for conversion into a real gun.
The Member States of the EU regulate the use of the Airsoft device in a variety of ways. Differing product requirements are being imposed even though the Member States are all seeking to achieve the same safety and public health objective. The Toy Directive (2009/48/EC1) and the Firearms Directive (91/477/EEC2) may be cited in this connection. The producer of Airsoft devices is clearly faced with a fragmented internal market. In Portugal, for example, the butt and the muzzle tip are required to be coloured a bright orange, while no restrictions are imposed in Belgium, and in the Netherlands the device is banned altogether.

The fact is that Airsoft is gaining in popularity, but its players are faced in practice with the usual set of problems. One really wonders whether there is any justification for this in 2010. Players have stated that they are prepared to comply with strict rules provided these rules are clear and are the same in all 27 EU Member States.

1. Does the Commission agree that it should be possible to practise Airsoft freely and without hindrance in all 27 Member States (and that the game should thus be recognised throughout the EU)? If not, why not? If so, what measures will the Commission take to ensure that this happens?
2. Does the Commission agree that the product requirements for the Airsoft device should be the same for all 27 EU Member States? If not, why not? If so, what measures will the Commission take to ensure that this happens?

Here is the 2010 line-up of G&G Armament! Some impressive new items like the G2000, G-FNC, GR-14/G-EBR, GR16 CRW Viper/Cannon, EGM A4 Folding, L85 AFV/Carbine, SG552, SG553, G96 Wood, G Scar-H, GR15 Raider (L/XL)DST, RK95 Blowback 4 series, G3 Blowback series and a lot of models will be updated with their latest blowback updates... 

This October.... AirsoftXtreme Issue # 11 Presents: "Into the Alpha Zone"

After almost 20-years since the non-blowback pistols came into the scene, people are starting to recognize and gravitate towards a more disciplined form of shooting--IPSC, which was formulated by some of the world's best shooters.

Airsoft has come a long way in the more than a quarter of a century of its existence. The evolution of what was the gas-gun-tethered-to-a-tank to the GBB-Rifles of today are just one of the indications of where the hobby is going.

As new technologies arise, people will find new ways to play and dress up.

Lately, firearms shooters and airsofters have been drawn to practical shooting both as a form of practice for live-fire matches and as an alternative form of airsoft. You may recall that AX started an issue called the "Alternative Airsoft" (AX7)which got a lot of non-airsofters interested in pistols and target shooting rather than the usual skirmish games.

Along with the popularity of practical shooting and GBB-pistols and rifles, the dress code follows suit. The non-tactical nature of practical shooting forbids any variant of the military battle dress, camouflage or anything which remotely resembles a military uniform. Since the guns are sporty in style, the outfits must also play along the same tune.

In this issue, we tackle the subject of "proper decorum". We sat down with Airsoft Surgeon, Clarence Lai and featured an airsoft shooting range, military museum from beijing, ww2 filipino reenactors, the Speedball Jersey from Tactics, new range apparel from Tactical Options and a whole lot more.

With the existing regulations for airsoft, it may not be long before the hobby is totally endangered. We at AX believe this will be the start of the "professionalization" of airsoft. Hopefully, we will see an end to reckless wannabees and those who give the hobby a bad name.

Christian Uybengkee
Publisher Airsoftxtreme International magazine / Airsoft buyers Guide
Website: www.airsoftxtreme.net Email: Dit e-mailadres is beschermd tegen spambots. U heeft Javascript nodig om het te kunnen zien.

Airsoft International are going digital too: