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Airsoft guns are safe, say owners
In the wake of shooting cases in the city and police raids on toy guns, Airsofter Indonesia community on Sunday stated that the cases could not be related to the use of Airsoft guns
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n the wake of shooting cases in the city and police raids on toy guns, Airsofter Indonesia community on Sunday stated that the cases could not be related to the use of Airsoft guns.
Agung Ngurah, one of the members, said that Airsoft guns are not dangerous and would not cause severe injuries or damage. He added that this particular type of gun, which he refers to as a 'toy', could not be modified into a firearm by some irresponsible parties.
'An Airsoft gun couldn't be modified, in any way. There is a maximum energy and bullet velocity that could be released from the gun,' Agung said.
'The gun could shatter if forced to use metal bullets, as they are mostly made out of plastic or very light steel,' he added.
The Jakarta Police had recently related some recent shootings to the use of Airsoft guns, such as on several Transjakarta shelters and on the house of a police personnel in Cipondoh, Tangerang, although the National Police's national security director, Brig. Gen. Setyo Wasisto, had said that an Airsoft gun could not have created such damage.
The community members stated their support to the police to arrest the perpetrators, saying that they had ruined their name as frequent Airsoft gun users.
Agung said that there are dozens of shooting clubs under the community, all of which members are registered.
'But we do admit that we have yet to record the data. This is our homework, to ensure safety to the people,' he said.
The use of Airguns is regulated under the 1951 Emergency Law, while there is no strict regulation covering the use of Airsoft guns, which started being used in Indonesia in 2002 for sports.
'We feel we need to clarify this matter. We want to clear our names. It is not a person with an Airsoft gun who did it,' said another member, Dedi Ardiana.
'What we are doing here is simply sport and fun. We use a toy gun that doesn't impose any threat,' he said.
However, although safe, Agung said that Airsofter Indonesia is ready to have all Airsoft guns licensed if the law obliges.
The appearance of an Airsoft gun is normally very similar to an Airgun. The only distinctive mark on an Airsoft gun as compared to Airguns is the orange tip.
Dedi Ardiana, another member, explained that Airguns use carbon dioxide tubes inside the device that is used to propel the bullets. While in Airsoft guns, green gas is used.
During an exhibition before reporters on Sunday, the community members demonstrated how an Airgun bullet could cause an 8-milimeter-thick glass window to be broken, while an Airsoft gun bullet ricocheted when shot on to the
same glass.
Airsoft gun vs. Airgun
Appearance:
Both sport guns are made to look like real guns, pistols and long-rifles alike
An Airsoft gun has an orange tip
Make:
Both Airsoft guns and Airguns can be made out of a variety of materials depending on the grade and use of the gun
Bullets:
Airsoft guns generally shoot 6mm plastic bullets ranging in weights depending on what they are being used for. There are also larger caliber Airsoft guns available but they are not the norm
Airguns generally shoot a 4.5mm or .177 caliber steel bullets but some can also shoot lead bullets
Propulsion:
Both Airsoft guns and Airguns can use springs, air, gas or carbon dioxide as a means of propulsion
Power:
The energy released from Airsoft guns is around 1 to 2 joules
The energy released from Airgun is between 3.5 and 7.5 joules
Usage:
Airsoft guns are most commonly used for tactical simulation games but can also be used for target practice and training
Airguns are most often used for target practice and training, some high power Airguns can also be used for pest control
From various sources
