CBC: The Trouble with Fake Guns

[Cobrajr122]

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

Okay, you want to talk about irresponsible, "Gus" buys a Walter from a hobby shop and then she interviews him with it, at night, beside a mini-van and Gus is waving the gun around right there on the street.... nice...

at least he had excellent trigger control.

Meh...the people who watch the CBC already hate guns anyway.

If anyone actually watched the CBC, they wouldn't be looking for another bailout from the feds.

[L473ncy]

Well.... I can tell that 3 Vets is probably gonna be in some shit or at least the clerk that sold it to him. I believe 3 Vets has an 18+ policy so the clerk will probably be in some shit.

[MrEvolution]

White Knight said it best to me.

Airsofters are to Real Steel shooters, as Paintballers are to Airsofters.

[Scooby Steve]

Originally Posted by pusangani

and check out the recoil action when she shoots the pellet gun in Port Perry, heheheh its an AIR GUN "Geeze Louise!"

I laughed when she turned the gun on herself to look at the muzzle.

[chester]

Interesting piece. I was a bit disappointed though. I thought she spent way too much time on the whole 'they look so real' thing. I mean, we get it, they look real. She could have made that point a bit more quickly and moved on (eg. not having to go back to the Vancouver police the second time). And showing the politicians two pictures of almost identical guns. I get that she was trying to make a point but it just seemed a bit silly.

Although they did show quite a few different angles (including us at TTAC3!) they could have dug in a bit more - maybe interview a kid who thinks it's cool to bring one to school or something. What they really should have done was cut the second segment out and extended this one to the whole episode. And why the hell can't the CBC get an real interview with a politician? What are they afraid of? Be great to see a roundtable discussion with David Miller, Brian M and some others to really get the points on the table.

But all in all, I thought it made airsoft look pretty good. TTAC3 looked like a good time. She had fun shooting (although she really shouldn't have pointed the barrel at her face). And I liked how the cops were usually pretty cool about it too (eg. the Durham cop saying he's fine with people playing/plinking as long as it's not in public).

[Scarecrow]

Well, she did say after shooting one that it was fun and she could see the appeal and the fact that Brian was able to voice that it was a question of personal freedom in a free society and regulation should be enough (as opposed to the intellectually bankrupt 'ban it'), I am reasonably happy that we didn't get totally spanked. They could have spent more time on the appeal of airsoft, and the fact that CG got on camera was terrific, as it challenges people's stereotypes (CG doesn't look like she fits the mold).

I think Brian and CG did well. Bravo!

Originally Posted by Scooby Steve

I laughed when she turned the gun on herself to look at the muzzle.

I sort of giggled to myself seeing that police officer and her using no eye protection and practicing no real range safety.

[Doc]

personally, i believe if you put yourself in that situation, you deserve to to get shot/arrested. police should not have to second guess themselves and be forced to distinguish real guns from fake ones before they take action.

and did anyone else find the antique store owner was almost "disappointed" it was "only" a replica gun?

we live in a fucking weird society.

hats off to you Brian though, great interview. i know the CBC and there editing firsthand, its pretty hard to come up on top. those were some great points.

[kalnaren]

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

I sort of giggled to myself seeing that police officer and her using no eye protection and practicing no real range safety.

But it's not a real gun!

[Ripper75]

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

I think Brian and CG did well. Bravo!

Yep, they did a fine job.

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

I sort of giggled to myself seeing that police officer and her using no eye protection and practicing no real range safety.

I think it's safe to say we all did. I also giggled at the girl on the street saying it was terrifying just having it (the gun) in front of her. Sure didn't seem terrified, lol.

I'll be happy if they regulate it so we need to have a license to own them, but only if we can get the real looking ones. I don't care for the clear ones, and wouldn't waste my money getting a license to buy one of them.

[Ryukishen]

It would've been nicer if they made a bigger difference between Airsoft and BB guns though, because the whole comparison part put Airsoft guns part seems to make it look like they're harder to get than BB guns, but there was never really any clear distinction made between "No, you can't really legally buy Airsoft guns" and the "Yes you can buy BB Guns" besides just that.

Also, they didn't talk to about the clear lower receivers of Airsoft guns.

[chester]

My wife and kid were watching it with me - it was a good opportunity to talk to my daughter about what to do if (when) a gun, real or fake, turns up at school. That'd be seriously tough to be a cop in that situation. But I also agree that all imitation firearms should be treated as real, especially in a crime situation. A bit tighter regulation wouldn't be a bad thing - especially if it means we can finally buy the good stuff over the table.

[kalnaren]

I was actually expecting more comments on this on the Marketplace website. Surprisingly few.

[CanKam]

Originally Posted by tattoodan

I don't get the argument that they are afraid to shoot a criminal that don't have a real gun.

Well, try to see it from their point of view. Situation:

A teenager is running around with a gun in public.

As a police officer you assess the situation and determine that the teen is a threat to the public, as he is waving what seems to be a weapon.

You therefore point your gun at the kid and you identify yourself.

You scream out: "Police!"

The kid turns around in panic with the weapon raised, ignoring trigger safety, and aims it in your general area.

For a moment you hesitate as your life hints that it does not want to end due to a fatal gunshot wound from a gun crazed teenager.

You instinctively react as you were trained to do.

*Shot(s)*

The kid falls to the ground. You move in to secure the weapon before the subject (maybe) recovers.

The kid lies still, no chest movement, blank stare. You check for vitals, there is none. You call in paramedics, secure the sector.

You later learn it was a toy gun. You obviously couldn't tell from 15 yards out. You've just killed a human being. You've just shot someone's child who unfortunately did not know any better.

they are afraid to shoot a criminal that don't have a real gun.

No, they just don't like taking lives. Mostly those of children and their own countrymen.

It's called having a conscience, that's why we need to treat our Airsoft guns as actual weapons until we reach the safety of our homes and the sanctity of our gaming fields.

[Ripper75]

Originally Posted by kalnaren

I was actually expecting more comments on this on the Marketplace website. Surprisingly few.

The first guy is an idiot. I play video games, and I see very little simulation.