It seems that most of what I editorialize about lately would come under the title, “the big picture”. I just hope this makes as much sense to you as it does to me.

There are so many aspects to airsoft that need to be addressed, and the one that is nagging at my brain today is how to improve the image of airsoft? I for one would like to see our sport remain unregulated by congressional legislation. Or at least only mildly restricted for the sake of true common sense. But in order to improve the image of airsoft in general each small team or group or forum or individual ought to implement a community help program that would try to educate and encourage safe play. The following suggestions are ideas for making a positive impact on the local community.

1. Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day Parades – A lot of small towns and cities have parades open to civic groups, bands, and businesses to show public pride. What if an airsoft team got together, made patriotic banners, dressed in uniform (without guns), and marched in the parade? For the serious mil-sim’ers you could even try to emulate a period of military history or maybe a unit that has ties to the community. And, for extra brownie points you could volunteer to help clean up after the parade.

2. Gun Safety Classes – I imagine there might be some team members who are qualified or could become qualified to teach gun safety as a visiting guest at schools, Boy Scout troops, churches, or other civic organizations. By using airsoft guns as teaching props it would be safer and it would show the local public how responsible your team is.

3. Airsoft Safety Classes – Similar to the gun safety classes but the focus would be to educate people on the proper and safe way to play. Emphasizing the good qualities of airsoft such as teamwork, honor, fair play, low contact, etc… would go a long way to helping parents and young kids understand what its all about. This idea could also expand into a several part course that would teach tactics, the different types of guns, and other related topics.

4. Police and Military Training OF – This would be applicable to only the most organized teams and groups who have connections with the local law enforcement and military bases. The Elgin City River Rats did this and helped train some of our soldiers before going to Iraq. What an honor that was to supply these young soldiers with invaluable near-real training. This sort of community involvement would require a lot of organization and prior training to pull it off. However, when something like this happens then press releases ought to go out from the airsoft community to show a positive effect of our sport.

5. Adopt a Scout Troop Form a Youth Airsoft Group – This may or may not be well received but if an established team adopted a group of young teens and started a junior airsoft team using low-powered guns it might be a good way of spreading the word about how to play responsibly. (I was informed that Boy Scout Troups have rules that would keep them from participating in airsoft activities - thanks Seal Pup)

6. Airsoft rules and safety sheets – This would be a simple distribution of flyers through all the local airsoft retailers (including Wal-Mart) that would spell out the safe and proper way to play with their airsoft guns. This sheet could be developed by a core group of airsofters here at this forum and get input from other forums and teams as well. Once established it would be easily downloaded and local groups would run off copies for the stores to hand out to airsoft gun purchasers. If this sheet could appear to be the official document of a national organization it might be more easily introduced and have more clout.

7. Clean-up days – Some local towns and cities may have a volunteer program where civic minded groups can help clean up a park, city square, or other public facility. Get your team together and plug into a program like that. It might take a Saturday out of the airsoft schedule but the good vibes should be worth it.

8. Get to know the local Police – Pitch in whenever the local police need a hand. If they sponsor a charity drive get involved. Invite them to one of your well-organized events. Have an open house at your field where you demonstrate (safely) how the play is done and have a quick series of safety classes to exhibit how airsoft a safe and beneficial sport.

9. Visit Veteran's Homes and Hospitals - What better way to honor their service than to give a little time.

I have to go for now but I may edit this with more ideas as they come. I also solicit everyone to make suggestions.

This post has been edited by Bullfrog: Apr 28 2007, 07:35 PM