airsoft guns for self defense??

[DickHardman]

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[Guest]

I have a Beretta 92F Nickel Airsoft, full size and weight. I bought it many years ago just to mess around and shoot some BB's. Its certainly not something I'd carry around or use as a first option for self defence, especially firing at someone, I don't think it would ever convince anyone - it would just blow the illusion

However, I do keep it close by in my home. In a country where if I lay a finger on anyone who breaks into my house I would probably go to jail, it is a good thing to have as a possible deterrant. I know that if someone pointed it at me I would certainly think twice

[Hardball]

I'll save my bluffing for the Card Table. LOL

[warrior_artist]

I don't think it's a good alternative. About the only thing an airsoft/pellet gun is good for is practicing trigger control, grip, stance, and CQC involving a pistol. About the only thing better for CQC is a simunitions converted pistol.

As far as using it in self-defense...Just about every carjacking scenario I'm familiar with involves a gun. I wouldn't want to bring a toy to a gunfight.

Also,depending on the state you live in, you might not be justified in brandishing a firearm unless the situation would also justify using the firearm. EXP: a punk thug is driving aggressivly, cutting you off, acting aggressive in every way, verbal and physical language, but hasn't shown you any weapon. You show him your airsoft gun to show him you mean business and for him to bug off. Now, he calls the cops on you. The cops arrive find an airsoft gun that looks real. I can see charges being filed. Not that they will, but it's not worth putting yourself in that position.

One of the caveats of concealed weapons training is that the gun is only drawn when a legitimate threat is present that would also justify the use of the firearm. You would be hard pressed to articulate to the courts why you felt justified in brandishing a firearm in that above-type situation. The factors to be considered would be articulable facts that would lead a reasonable person to believe deadly force or the threat of deadly force is justified.

What fact, not feeling, could you articulate where deadly force would be justified? Not many. In most states driving like a jackass is not an offense punishable by death. So, the use or threat of use of deadly force would not be justified.

Something to consider. At least on the aftermath end of the deal.

Most laws regarding use of deadly force or the threat of deadly force also relate to possible punishments involving the suspected criminal act. IN some states using deadly force is not justified in defense of property. Now, there may be some justification for the threat of use, but the actual use is a not a supported defense. Most often justified use or threat of use of deadly force is directly related to part one person crimes. Assault, robbery, aggravated assault, rape, arson of an occupied building, things of this nature.

Use or threat of use outside incidents like those usually do not support the justification.

Now, on a different note...as someone stated pretty cleverly, I'll save my bluffing for the poker table. Perhaps the last thing you want is to draw an airsoft pistol down on someone in a justified scenario and then have that person react with intent to defend himself and/or carry out the intended criminal act with a REAL firearm. It should be remembered criminals are human too. Most will have a similar reaction to deadly force as you. Fear of personal injury. They're either going to fight, flight, posture, or submit. The sense of self-preservation is a powerful one (and rightly so, we should all strive to live as long as God allows).

So, your feeling of self-preservation is present. So will the criminal's upon being faced with a deadly weapon (at least, he'll think it is) And then you'll be at the psychological disadvantage of knowingly bringing an ineffective toy to a real fight.

Drawing a firearm is a serious responsibility. Even if you know your firearm is simply an airsoft gun. No one else does. Especially responding law enforcement. You might be too wrapped up in the incident to be aware of police arrival. When police arrive they don't know you from your attacker. Having what looks like a real gun in your hand and then possibly suffering from audio exclusion or tunnel vision might result in a bad thing for you.

Don't think it doesn't happen? I know of one recent incident in New York where an off-duty officer was shot by responding NYPD. He had been attacked by several thugs outside of a White Castle burger joint and had defended himself. When PD arrived he was still hinked up. He was trying to tell responding units he was a cop and they were trying to tell him to drop his weapon. Obviously, thinking as a cop, he didn't want to put his weapon down (really, who would, cop or not), but was shot at failing to obey officer's commands to drop the weapon. The responding officers did not know him, nor did they know he was a cop. They just saw a man with a gun.

Attempting intimidation by display of a firearm is a poor defense strategy. Preparing realistically for a deadly force encounter with tools that can save your life as well as potentially take the life of your attacker is a better strategy.

Just my thoughts.

WA

[bodhisattva]

fake and toy guns

do you guys think carrying an airsoft pistol replica would be any good for self defense? look at the airsoft glock17 in this clip, you can buy one very cheap and it would probably fool just about anyone you pulled it on in a sd situation. if you cant afford a gun for a while, or cant get one, you can legally carry around an airsoft and even fire it at someone with a pellet, fooling them into thinking they may have been hit in a SD type situation. what do you guys think?? im thinking of just ordering one over the internet and carrying it in my car to scare off would be carjackers etc....

I wouldn't brandish anything that couldn't do the job...

[gavin]

no way. i where looking at a maximum sentence of life imprisonment just last week because my mate had shot another fellas car with a paintball gun from my car.

using an immitation weapon to commit another crime holds a maax of life. in the u.k.

this means anything that looks like a gun that hasnt been manufactured in such a way to look like a toy. if your airsoft is one of these items then using it to commit a section five ie using words language or behaviour which causes harrassment alarm or distress. would give you a nasty sentence. and it could be worse.

i got off because the paintball gun where manufacturedin such a manor so to be recognised for what it is. ie bright colours etc.



one awesome item for the home is a crossbow if you can get to it.or even better a compound bow as they are very easily and quickly loaded.


KEEP AWAY FROM GUNS!

[J.Tutton]

Kids shoot eachother close range with those things for fun, no I dont think it would be a good weapon used agaisnt your attacker whos intent was to **** you up when you shoot him with little plastic bullets, wont that piss him off more?

Shoot marbles with a Paintball gun, breaks bones.


EDIT: After re-reading I see you would use the gun as a bluff, but this is even worse as Mike pointed out and those guns dont look real damnit!

[gavin]

think the general feeling is.
if you want a gun of any sort in the house then make sure its real,if your wanting to carry something for self defence dnt carry anything more than a pen.

[Wolfeye589]

I used to play Airsoft with some friends from a local church. Some of the guns we used were pretty high quality, upwards of 400-500 fps on those things. They sting, but not enough to keep us from playing. I doubt it would be enough to deter some creep on the street.

[DickHardman]

i have a competition air rifle that looks like a hunting rifle. it fires at 1000 fps. it puts holes through rubbermade trash bins from across the yard, and can lodge pellets deep into wood doors. if you were to hit anyone with that, it would penetrate and lodge inside them for sure.


back in college, the guys at this one frat house my homie lived in would take their scoped air rifle(a cheap, weaker one) to the top floor of the frathouse, were they would put up a towel over the window so they could hide behind it and take pot shots at students walking to class across the street lol......it was pretty funny.

[Ghost]

I have a Beretta 92F Nickel Airsoft, full size and weight. I bought it many years ago just to mess around and shoot some BB's. Its certainly not something I'd carry around or use as a first option for self defence, especially firing at someone, I don't think it would ever convince anyone - it would just blow the illusion

However, I do keep it close by in my home. In a country where if I lay a finger on anyone who breaks into my house I would probably go to jail, it is a good thing to have as a possible deterrant. I know that if someone pointed it at me I would certainly think twice

So do i but in black. Did you get it from that Gun shop in barnet, i think it was actually called Gun Shop, its just at the bottom of Cat Hill.
Near Mings chinese take away. Be funny if you got it from the same place too.

Its probable that you didnt though as you grew up in the coal mines and farm lands of "up north"

[Guest]

Listen Pearly Queen, I did get it from the Gun Shop at Cat Hill. I see you went for the budget model in black, typical southener. I think we should get together and have a duel, I will blind you with the shine of my nickel plating.

[Wolfeye589]

i have a competition air rifle that looks like a hunting rifle. it fires at 1000 fps. it puts holes through rubbermade trash bins from across the yard, and can lodge pellets deep into wood doors. if you were to hit anyone with that, it would penetrate and lodge inside them for sure.


back in college, the guys at this one frat house my homie lived in would take their scoped air rifle(a cheap, weaker one) to the top floor of the frathouse, were they would put up a towel over the window so they could hide behind it and take pot shots at students walking to class across the street lol......it was pretty funny.

But would it be a reasonable self-defense tool to carry around? I think carrying around a 1:1 airsoft rifle might attract unwanted attention. The most I've ever seen an airsoft pistol shoot for was 210 FPS. It was a greengas if I remember correctly.

[dogman1979]

lol....

No, they would not. Get a .357 or 9mm for protection.

[Ghost]

Listen Pearly Queen, I did get it from the Gun Shop at Cat Hill. I see you went for the budget model in black, typical southener. I think we should get together and have a duel, I will blind you with the shine of my nickel plating.

lol! i thought you might have got it from there lol. I got mine about 10 years ago now i think. Looks the real deal though, i bet it would make alot of people think it was real.
From what i remember they are made from real ones converted into air guns.