Airsoft has been around for years in one form or another, but it is only recently that it has started to gain significant popularity in the United States. These guns fire plastic pellets, and they are most often realistic reproductions of actual firearms. These guns provide a safe alternative for those with an interest in gunplay.
Most people credit Japan with the creation of these guns. Laws in Japan prohibited the ownership of guns, and as a result, people did not have access to real firearms. In the 1970s, toy companies in Japan began to manufacture replica guns that shot plastic pellets, and these would later evolve into the the guns we have today.
In the United States, however, there was a version of the spring-powered gun as early as the 1950s. These toy guns were sold by Mattel, but sales dropped off in the 1960s. The Daisy BB Gun Company produced airsoft guns as part of their lineup in the 1980s. Again, the product did not seem to do well at the time, though nowadays, these early airsoft guns have become collector’s items. It wasn’t until the mid 1990s that airsoft guns began to attain real popularity. Now these guns are widely used for recreational purposes throughout the United States.
Airsoft guns and the activities associated with them have quickly become an enjoyable pastime. The guns are typically used in military simulation games, but they are also used in games such as capture the flag, or last man standing battles. They are a favored prop for use in live action role playing, and even historical reenactments, because they are so realistic. They have also recently found a use outside of gameplay. Some law enforcement and military services have begun to use airsoft guns for training purposes. They provide a realistic alternative to using actual guns during training exercises.
With the increased popularity these guns have acquired in the United States, multiple legislations have passed that players should be aware of. In particular, there is a law that states that all toy guns must have an orange tip. As airsoft guns are very realistic, the orange tip prevents misunderstandings that may occur. There are also some age restrictions on how old you can be to purchase and use an airsoft gun, so it is a good idea to check local laws before considering a purchase.