The first time sophomore James Sherman-Caffray saw an airsoft gun, he was a 12-year-old on a play-date. “I went over to [sophomore Dylan Shuler’s] house, he showed me his little CO2 pistols and I was blown away,” Sherman-Caffray said. “I liked playing with little plastic toy guns when I was a kid, and this was just like a step up for me.”
Since then, Sherman-Caffray and Shuler have introduced sophomore William Alperin to airsoft, an activity in which participants launch non-metallic pellets from replica firearms at one another. They, along with other South airsoft players, said they have learned that though airsoft is a recreational activity, they must take precautions to maintain a safe environment.
Sherman-Caffray said that he did not initially understand the attire required to participate safely in airsoft. “When I first started airsoft and went to this field, I really didn’t know what to think about gear, and so I just threw on a green T-shirt and camo shorts,” Sherman-Caffray said. “I had a … crappy gun, and … people were in full military camouflage, huge vests, and they had huge guns. I was so intimidated. We kind of learned very quickly that what we were wearing wouldn’t really do.”
The boys learned to protect themselves with military-grade eyewear that is required by specific safety standards for airsoft.
Motti Fine, father of junior Omer Fine and 11-year-old Ariel Fine, said that he has no safety concerns related to airsoft and that he made sure he felt the activity was safe before allowing his younger son to begin playing with an entry-level airsoft package. “We did research … to know what specifically it is and what they do with it and after, we realized that it’s something that didn’t really seem too harmful to us,” Motti said. “We spoke with [Ariel] about how he’s going to use it, and when he’s going to use it, like he’s always going to use it with the goggles.”
Omer agreed with his father that the eyes are susceptible to injury but said that his brother often ignores this concern. “It doesn’t really hurt to get shot anywhere else [besides the eyes],” he said. “My brother has a mask. He doesn’t wear it though.”
Junior Brian Spink and his friends divide into teams to play airsoft. He said that though players should wear protective gear, the expense and inaccessibility led most of his friends to opt to play without it. “[The gear] was all my friend’s stuff, so only three of us could get the masks and everyone else would just hope to not to get [hit] in the face,” he said. “We just kind of just wore long baggy pants and shirts so that could kind of absorb it.”
Before ever going to an airsoft field, Shuler, Sherman-Caffray and Alperin played airsoft in their backyards. Shuler said they then realized that the activity appeared dangerous and would concern observers. “We have had a few close encounters with the police, but [airsoft] is not what people assume it to be,” Shuler said. “We look like a bunch of people running around with guns.”
According to Shuler, orange tips clearly distinguish airsoft guns from true firearms. He said, however, that Newton locals often do not recognize airsoft guns, so they call the police, which can be dangerous for airsoft participants.
Because of the potential for misunderstandings, Sherman-Caffray said extra precautions are necessary. “People really shouldn’t be playing airsoft in their yards. They should be going to a field because I actually had a run-in with the police one time,” Sherman-Caffray said. “That was a very scary moment for me in airsoft, and it almost got me arrested.”
Now Sherman-Caffray, Shuler and Alperin travel to New Hampshire to play airsoft at a field named Feel Good Farms. Sherman-Caffray said that playing airsoft there eliminates risks of police involvement.
But the field does not eliminate other worries — Sherman-Caffray said he has witnessed injuries caused by BB guns. “I’ve seen kids that got shot in the lip with BBs [that were] actually still in their lip. It’s not a fun sight to see,” Sherman-Caffray said.
Motti said that he permits airosft in the family’s backyard because Ariel is allowed to aim only at objects, not people. At the entry level and with proper rules in place, Motti said that airsoft is not dangerous. “[Ariel] shouldn’t aim at other people. Even if the airsoft gun is not loaded, he shouldn’t aim at other people,” Motti said. “We only bought him a limited supply of beads, so, you know, when the kid starts, it’s basic stuff.
Spink said he has seen serious injuries when players aim airsoft guns at one another, causing parents to worry about their children’s safety. “I shot one of my friends in the neck, and he started bleeding, and his parents said we were stupid and that we should probably stop,” Spink said.
Alperin said that although physical injuries are concerning, airsoft is not inherently more dangerous than other sports. “There is potential for harm to be done during airsoft, but that’s generally the same during any sport or activity, whether it’s football [or] hockey,” Alperin said. “Using your head is what is going to keep you and everyone around you safe. It’s very important to understand that there can be potential harm in [airsoft] and to make the correct decisions with other people you’re airsofting with.”
Omer said that because of this potential danger in airsoft, he finds it best to be behind the gun rather than in front of it. “If you’re with [a friend] shooting at someone else, it’s really fun,” he said, “but if you’re the one getting shot at, it sucks real bad.”
