Florida. It's a gun. [quote]I am starting this thread with the simple fact. If it looks like a gun. It's a gun.[/quote] I addressed this terrible starting line above. I am not going to argue you because I simply do not accept that as a well-constructed argument that should participate in this discussion. I will listen, I will try to empathize, and I will give you a conversation, but only if you extend the same to others and [i]think[/i] about what you say. Here we go... [quote]it doesn't matter if it has an orange tip. Or if its painted in a rainbow. If it looks like a gun. It's a gun.[/quote] Addressed already. And it is [i]not[/i] a gun. Guns have a clear definition. You [i]do not[/i] have the privilege to re-define objects to suit yourself, your beliefs, or your desires. Period. [quote]If I saw someone pointing a gun-thing with an orange tip at me. I would put them down immediately. And so would the police. Doesn't matter if its a super-soaker or an orange airsoft gun.[/quote] Put them down with what? If you are truly under threat, then I hope you would exercise your right to defend yourself. Do not, however, expect me to defend your actions if they are clearly irrational. You attack or kill someone who was wielding a [url=http://www.isoaker.com/Armoury/Analysis/2001/CPSSplashzooka_images/iS_supersoaker_splashzooka65_01.jpg]Splashzooka[/url], you yourself would be the one being put down. There is an acceptability to your argument for realistic and [i]convincing[/i] gun-appearing objects, but if you wish to extend that to clear toys, then your entire argument gets dismissed on the ground of irrationality. [quote]You do need to be 18 to purchase an airsoft gun. But parents can simply purchase them for their children and let them run around the neighborhood playing around with them.[/quote] They can, but that does not mean they should. My parents could have bought me a car at the age of eight and let me drive it, but they didn't because they have a prefrontal cortex that regulates their behavior, preventing them from making poor choices of this caliber. The [i]"could be done"[/i] argument is a logical fallacy and not grounds for banning an object. In the above example, cars should not be made illegal because of a [i]possibility[/i]. [quote]Guns are not toys.[/quote] That is correct. [quote]Things that look like guns are not toys.[/quote] If it is in fact a toy, then an object that looks like a gun is a toy. No making up your own definitions again. [quote]Kids do not physically have the brain-power to understand how serious guns and gun-shaped-things are. And how sensitive they are with the public and police.[/quote] Possibly. I mean, we certainly aren't born with that knowledge, but that extends to quite nearly everything we know. Things are [i]taught[/i]. I [i]learned[/i] that firearms require respect, conscientious use, and foresight when used. I [i]learned[/i] this from my parents and through instructed use in boy scouts. Actions and consequences need to be taught to individuals by knowledged users for many things, including firearms, alcohol, driving, operating of heavy machinery, and safe use of chemicals and electricity. The absence of knowledge at birth does not preclude that we should prevent something from being used at all, it means we should decide if proof of competency should be demonstrated before use if permitted. [quote]Many kids do not / are incapable of understanding that they could get themselves killed or their friends killed by playing with airsoft guns in the wrong place and time.[/quote] From birth? Yes, of course. Period? I strongly disagree. First off, you aren't defining a "kid," but if you're suggesting that those under 18, then I will argue that. I safely operated firearms, airsoft guns, paintball guns, potato guns, and vehicles before I turned 18. Why? Instruction and conscientiousness. I have a brain capable of learning and projecting consequences to my actions and these were taught to me. I [i]am capable[/i]. [quote]In addition it normalizes that guns are things that are fun to play around with. Pick up and whatever.[/quote] Well, I don't know about "whatever," as that's something I definitively can't define, but guns are fun to play around with. I do so regularly. I pick them up and have fun with them. [i]Safely[/i]. Because I was [i]taught[/i]. I learned how to operate BB guns and paintball guns at a young age, learning how to clean them, repair them, use them, and not point them at things that shouldn't be pointed at. That paved the ground for me to operate more serious equipment, leading to .22 rifles to 12ga. shotguns and handguns, both of which I now own. Again, it's not the possessing of the equipment that causes problems, it is the ignorance of proper possession and use that causes problems. [quote]Now if you are an adult and you want to play airsoft with other adults in a safe place. Go for it. I trust your judgement.[/quote] There is no magical moment in your life where you look in a mirror and say "I am an adult. I now feel all this knowledge on things coursing through my body!" I am 24. I still [i]feel[/i] the same as I did as a teenager. I'm a bit taller and I know quite a bit more, but I still [i]feel[/i] the same. Being an adult does not preclude you to being responsible. Most adults, I feel you will come to find, really don't know all that much, so saying that being an adult automatically qualifies you to operate equipment that you feel is dangerous is silly. [quote]But I do not think that airsoft guns should be things that kids can posses and play with, without adult supervision.[/quote] Agreed. Adult supervision is required. [quote]A child with an airsoft gun is a danger to themselves and others. Even if they have good intentions.[/quote] Honestly, my biggest issue is that you have 0 supporting arguments. You've stated and restated who should and should not be operating "dangerous" equipment, but you haven't said why. [i]Why[/i] are they a danger to themselves and others. [i]Why[/i] are they incapable of learning to use these properly. [i]Why[/i] would you "put down" someone who pointed a super soaker at you? You can't just claim things and expect people, people who matter, to just [i]take your word for it.[/i] You've got to construct an argument and [i]convince[/i] people, not just [i]tell[/i] them.