Airsoft Guns Can Put an Eye Out
Does your child have an airsoft gun? Watch out for eye injuries.
Airsoft guns have risen in popularity in the last few years. As with any gun, airsoft guns potentially could cause injuries, especially eye injuries. In the last two years, eye injuries caused by airsoft guns have risen 500 percent, hurting over 3,000 children in 2012 alone.
Airsoft Guns
Airsoft guns are not as innocent as they sound. Designed to resemble real machine guns, rifles, or handguns, airsoft guns fire actual pellets via gas, spring, or electrical systems. Unlike Nerf guns, these pellets are capable of inflicting harm.
Airsoft Gun Laws
Because airsoft guns do not use gun powder to shoot pellets, they are not considered firearms under the law. However, many states do have laws regulating airsoft guns.
Unlike in Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Canada, the United States allows the sale of airsoft guns. However, federal laws require the guns to have a bright orange tip to distinguish these guns from actual firearms. It is illegal to remove or cover up this orange tip. Last year, California passed a law that would require the whole airsoft gun to be brightly colored.
Federal law also limits sale of airsoft guns to people 18 years of age or older, but any person of any age, child or adult, can use an airsoft gun.
Some cities and states have stricter rules. New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, and San Francisco ban all sale and use of airsoft guns.
Legal Liability
Do you let your child play with airsoft guns? While it may be legal to do so, you should reconsider or supervise your child closely while playing with airsoft guns.
Parental Liability
As the eye injury statistics show, your child could get hurt by an airsoft gun. Even worse, your child may hurt somebody else. If that happens, there is a very good chance that you could be held liable for failing to supervise your child properly.
Remember, an airsoft gun is not a toy. In fact, California law considers airsoft guns to be "dangerous weapons." If your child has been injured by an airsoft gun, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney
Related Resources:
- Injured in an accident? Get your claim reviewed by an attorney for free. (Consumer Injury)
- 4-Year-Old Shoots 6-Year-Old: Who's Liable? (FindLaw's Injured)
- Calif. Deputies Kill Boy, 13, Carrying Toy Gun (FindLaw's Blotter)
- Child With Fake Gun Shot By Ohio Officer, Dies From Wounds (FindLaw's Blotter)