My parents won't let me skirmish, I need some reasons for why I should be able to.

[Biscuit-Boy]

They are basically worried about me getting hurt (they constantly bring up the 'you'll shoot your eyes out!, comment), and that once I get hit I won't like it, can anyone help me out here?

[Timmay]

tell them to shoot you in the chest wearing goggles. see if you will like minor pain:)

Say, i want to build my people skills(teamwork), my integrity(calling hits), and my social circle(meeting strange people like.....me, or Col. Maple ;) ) and so on.

Ask why you want to play-if just shooting stuff is your answer.....dont say that to them. really.

[Maple]

Ultimately, until you are 18, your folks do have the final word over what goes and doesn't go.
If they are concerned about the safety of the sport, then that is their perogative. Although most games go off without so much as a cut to the finger, I have been witness to all different types of injuries, ranging from broken bones to eye shots. These are rare and I have only seen a few in my years of playing, but they do happen.
We can all group together and tell your folks that the sport is safe (which when the proper safety measures are taken, it is relatively harmless) but in the end, we are just a group of strangers telling your parents what to think.
My suggestion would be to invite one, if not both of your folks to a game to watch what happens and get their own first hand look at the goings on before, during and after a game. This should give them a good reference to work with in determining whether or not you should play airsoft.
My one word of advice, don't bring them to a "noob" game. These games are frought with "dumb-assery" and are not representatvie of most airsoft games.
Another suggestion would be to bring them to an AEC and have them watch and learn how the WAA promotes safety in the sport.

That's my 2 cents, for what it's worth.... about 2 cents.
-mat

[Biscuit-Boy]

Well, technically, I have been hit before, I was target practicing on the porch, and a shot ricocheted (lohl, spehlign) right off the grill, and smacked me in the forehead (I was wearing shooting glasses) about how much slower does it go on the recoil?

[Agent J]

Seriously, what do expect us to do? It's their call until you're 18. I disagree with their position, but they know you better than I do. I mean no offense, but perhaps they don't believe you're safe enoguh to be allowed to skirmish. Otherwise I don't see why they wouldn't just get you a full paintball mask (properly ANSI rated, of course) and maybe a helmet and send you in.

I agree with Maple, he knows what he's talking about. (I thought I was posting before him, but I guess my comments are still valid)

Incidentally, I trust you mean your BACK porch, as you could get in serious trouble (Think: shot dead by a police officer) if someone saw you discharging what appears to be a real firearm in public.

As for ricochets, you shouldn't be aiming near enough to you for that to even happen, but as long as you were wearing safety glasses you should be fine.

By recoil I assume you mean the velocity of the pellet, as recoil has nothing to do with what you said. It will usually hurt about that much, but some of us are sporting upgraded rigs, and there's snipers and such. It shouldn't hurt MUCH more than that, unless you get shot in a sensitive spot bare skin.

[Black_Kade]

Well, I guess I can relate to this from my own experience going ALL the way back to when I was 12 or so?? (Im 18 now) and my parents said no to. They let me get a few guns at first, but then it kinda went down hill and said no. So what did I do, I kept airsofting with my friends localy untill my parents gave up.

Ill tell you now this is probably not the way to go unless your a good liar and sneakier than hell. ;)

Anyhoo. I would try and get your dad to come with you to a game to meet gary and see what it's all about. Im sure once your parents get aquainted with the community they will be more open to the idea (thats assuming your introducing him to the right people, gary is probably your best start.)

Also there's the safety concern, well you can alway's give gary a phonecall as well and he will lay it out flat for you parents. (not that he will turn them away, but give it to them straight, because honestly Iv only seen ONE incident where someone's eye was damaged and it was ONLY because he removed his goggles in combat which is a HUGE NO NO!)

Well, if you have any other questions, feel free to PM me, I know where your comming from.

[Maple]

I'd suggest if you do indeed have your folks talk or email anybody, make it somebody who has been playing the sport long enough to know a thing or two. A retailer is probably not your best option.
In the end, your folks are going to make whatever judgement call they see fit. Right, wrong or otherwise, they are your parents and have your best interests in mind.
That's about all I gotta say about that.
-mat

[Texx]

How bout if we give you a good reason why you shouldn't be able?

Uhh, because your parents said no. That should be good enough for you. Respect their word and don't act so immature. Immature people disrespect those who are looking out for your well-being. You remember that time your poppa shared his seed with your momma to make you? How bout the time your mom was miserable and barfed up just about everything she ate because the developing you and your testosterone made her sick. Even better, remember all those months both of your parents spent praying to god you would live long enough to accuse them of being overbearing. And finally, that day your mom shot you from her birth canal.

Yeah, how quickly you dismiss your parents looking out for you your entire life and objecting to something they may think you are too irresponsible and immature to participate in.

Rather then trying to convince your parents they are wrong, you should focus on figuring out why your parents are right to object about you participating in the sport. Rather than assuming they are wrong, take a long hard look at yourself and figure out why they are right.

And after such an epiphany, you need to work on resolving those contributing factors that would make your parents resort to having to take such control over your life. Grow up. Take on more responsibility. And above all else, prove to your parents that you are worthy of their trust.

Finally, even if you can't convince them, get over it. THere are going to be things in your life you will have to wait long and hard for. Many times, the wait is more than worth it. If you can't convince them you deserve to play, then drop it and work on doing things that will allow your parents to trust you more.

Some breaking news - parents are 99% right about whether or not you are responsible enough to be trusted with a hobby like airsoft. And the teenage point of view is often overly irrational due to combinations of inexperience, naivety, hormones, and blatant stupidity. Nothing personal, but you're most likely an immature, irresponsible punk who your parents don't trust to make good decisions.

The good news is that once you accept that fact and learn to resolve them, you will be ready to airsoft. If not, when you're 18 you cqan whatever you want.

[Beest]

^^^Ouch...that hurt over here.

[Downslide]

Man, I feel like I should call my mom, and tell her I love her.

Texx is right, though. If you fail to see the integrity in respecting your parents, how can you see it in something as simple as the honor code that the game is played by?

[Maple]

If you fail to see the integrity in respecting your parents, how can you see it in something as simple as the honor code that the game is played by?
Honor, integrity, HA!
Maybe that's why airsoft has gone down hill the last couple of years. People forgot what those two words meant, but had $300 to spend on a UTG and all the "fixings" so they decided to buy that instead of a clue.

Seriously though, the best way to prove that you are responsible enough to play airsoft, is to show your folks that you are, not tell them a bunch of reasons.

... Guess I did have something more to say.....

[garyb]

I believe that if your parents would like to learn more about the sport, the beginners game would be the best place to come. That is exactly what is it set up for, the parents and their children to learn the correct and safe way to play airsoft. There is also a Safety Course given that they can also sit in. I would be more than happy to talk with them and to bring out both sides, good and bad, which I have done more than once for parents that have called me for just that reason.
Texx is right you have to obey what your parents wishes are, that is part of growing up, and you will learn that when you have kids, the parents have learned by doing it, and they are just trying to protect you, they know you better than anyone.

[Biscuit-Boy]

Just so you guys know, I'm not even reading this topic anymore, "texx" scared me away...

[Agent J]

Man, I feel like I should call my mom, and tell her I love her.

That's a qtf right there.

[sniper-aab]

Texx makes a very good point. I also went through the same thing you are, and it was one of my friends parents who set me straight. One thing that is deffinetly true is that you have to respect those that are looking out for you. What he says is the truth, and you know what they say... the truth hurts.(maybe not as much as getting shot in the groin by a 550 fps sniper rifle with only shorts on though. :cry:

My advice echos what Texx said. Personally, I have not seen anybody get hurt more than a cut, and that was due to a move of pure ignorance.

Buck up, only a couple more years. By that time, you'll realize that your parents only say what they think is right; and they usually are right, unfortunately.

Hang in there

sniper-aab

[NATHANIELJONESTHUGANGEL]

Just so you guys know, I'm not even reading this topic anymore, "texx" scared me away...



This is irresponsible, which coincidentally is probably one of the reason your parents don't want you airsofting quite yet.

[Agent J]

True, but I think we should just let this topic die.

[Ghostbear]

and with that....