For Players

Remember – You must be 18 years of age to purchase a gun from Airsoftshop.ca or have parental consent via phone call.

Airsoft like any other sport has rules that are expected to be followed, the game is meant to be a fun recreational past time and with that we wanted to make sure you were aware of the rules of engagement.

General Rules & Best Practices

• The minimum age for most clubs is 16 or 17
  
• Airsoft guns should be stored unloaded and in a case out of reach for small children.
  
• Airsoft guns should be treated like they are loaded at all times.
  
• Airsoft guns have a safety, make sure it is on to prevent a misfire and while not in game play we encourage you remove the mag and turn the safety on.
  
• Check your local bylaws by contacting your local RCMP
  
• As public perception is a great concern in this sport due to the realism of the guns, behaving mature and responsible both on field and off is extremely important.
  
• Racism and extremist views only hurt the sport.
  
• Treat other players, their guns and gear with the same respect you would want them to treat yours.
  
• In short keep it fun!
  

Handling, and Transporting

• Most airsoft guns are designed to look very realistic. However we do offer a few alternatives that look less realistic. Our “clearsoft” line sports guns with a completely transparent body showing the springs and gears inside. However, clear transparent airsoft guns do not exempt you from the rules.
  
• Airsoft guns should always be treated as real guns because to the public they appear so. Never under any circumstances should any airsoft gun be pointed at a member of the public.
  
• When transporting an airsoft gun carry in a case as to not alarm anyone.
  
• Should you be stopped by a member of the RCMP while safely transporting a gun calmly explain that you have an airsoft gun in your case and you wanted to transport it safely without alarming the public.
  

Game Play

Rules of Engagement

• Before you starting playing, look around the area you plan to be playing in and ask yourself a couple questions. “Can anyone not playing see what I am doing?” “Is there any chance of someone not aware of what is going on walking in without eye-protection?” “Is it illegal to shoot airsoft guns here?” If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions you should find a better place to play. Some Paintball fields will allow you to play at their fields, though check with them first.
  
• All players must play in a safe manner; any purposeful endangerment of others will be strictly dealt with. Players playing in an unsafe manner (full auto shooting close up, shooting at the head purposely, etc) will be removed from the game.
  
• All clubs have velocity limits in place. The average for limits is: 400fps with .20g BB’s for any gun capable of full automatic, and 450fps with .20g BB’s for bolt action rifles.
  
• At most fields there will be a designated safe area, this is the only place where you are allowed to remove your eye-protection, anywhere else you must have eye-protection at all times.
  
• When in a safe zone you are required to have magazines out of rifles and pistols must remain holstered. Use of a barrel bag is highly recommended.
  
• A mercy kill is when you are considered close enough to an opponent that a hit is a given, typically by sneaking up on them. Some clubs have a mercy rule (i.e. no firing less than 10 feet), others do not. We recommend players to be aware of their engagement distances, especially if they have upgraded guns and mercy other players as suitable. Mercy kills at most clubs is not required to be given or taken. If you feel you are close enough to mercy a player, call out “mercy” to them loud enough to get their attention. If the player does not accept the mercy, (i.e. raises their gun), then by all means shoot, but aim for the gear or anywhere lower than the chest.
  
• Most clubs have a blind fire rule; blind firing is when you are shooting but can’t see where the BB’s are going (i.e. poking only your gun around the corner and shooting) Due to the risk of a player being right around the corner at extreme close range, blind firing is prohibited.
  
• Most fields have holes in the structures that players can use. A general rule for these holes is that you have to be able to use the sites on your gun before shooting through the hole.
  
• Most fields prohibit all pyrotechnic devices (i.e. smoke grenades)
  
• A hit is whenever a player is touched by a BB either in the gear, arm, face, etc. Specific rules can change with game style. When hit, a player will loudly yell “HIT” and raise their hand above their head, a red “kill rag” is highly recommended to prevent being shot again once dead. The players will then stand up and re-spawn according to game rules.
  
• Any player posing as dead to ambush other live players will be removed from the game.
  
• As airsoft is an honour based sport, all players trust the others to call their hits as it happens. Cheaters will be dealt with severely.
  

Location

• Backyards and public areas are not a suitable place to play, stray BB’s can hurt unsuspecting bystanders and people may call the police.
  
• A good place to play airsoft is a privately owned piece of property out in the country, owned by a relative or family friend. Always get permission first. If you are having a large gathering it is a good idea to alert the neighbours within the vicinity to what is going to prevent panic and calls to the police. 
  
• The local forest is also not a good place to play as someone may walk into your battle and be injured, or call the police on your group.
  
• Your local club will often have games going on, these are a great place to meet fellow airsoft enthusiasts and play great games.
  
• A local paintball field is a great place to play airsoft as it is usually well built up with bunkers and towns. They also usually have facilities for charging batteries and places to make food (i.e. BBQ’s).
  

Protective Gear

Airsoft guns shoot small plastic BB’s and depending on the quality, make, and type of gun, they may vary in velocity. We recommend that you have the following gear while playing.

• Goggles – Proper eye protection must be worn. Some fields allow Ballistic glasses style, but at most fields you must wear full seal goggles, either high quality CSA Z94 goggles or paintball goggles. All eye protection must be secured with a head strap. Most fields do not allow mesh style goggles due to the risk of BB shards going through or the mesh breaking under sustained impacts.
  
• Boots – Most clubs and fields recommend suitable footwear (ie: not running shoes) high quality boot with at least 5” of ankle protection.
  
• Vest – We sell tactical vests that are meant to soften the impact of a BB, the vests also allow you to carry previsions such as mags, ammunition, and water. Weather permitted; a long sleeved shirt will also help take the sting off.
  
• Gloves – You need your hands, padded gloves are available for many sports in many stores and will keep your hands safe during game play.
  
• Face Protection – Not usually a prerequisite for game play but we thought we would bring to your attention that it does exist.