Michigan Law as it pertains to airsoft

[Reaper6]

I'll have our legal department look into it. That would be a travesty for the state to do something so drastic over one incident.

[Skoicha]

Jan 18, 2009 13:41:32 GMT -5 Shadow (314) said:

when I got caught committing armed robbery with a painted airsoft pistol.

Please tell me you meant to say when he got caught...

[mopedman (Fighting Tacos)]

You can tell just by the way he said it he meant "He".

[Shadow (314)]

Yes, Sorry, I meant "he."
I was shown a youtube video of a newscast. It said that some youth robbed a convenience store with a painted airsoft pistol and that caused them to make some laws banning real-steal look-alikes. I'm not sure if this is true, but it looked like a real story. Does anyone know if it's true?

[BoredKender]

Which news team logo was in the bottom corner. If it is legitimate you can usually find the article (or at least something) on their website.

[Shadow (314)]

It was last year so I don't remember. I will ask my friend if he remembers next time I see him.

I found an interesting site pertaining to this similar subject but affecting all airsoft nationally. I apologize if this is irrelivant today being that this is an old post, but I think this deserves attention no matter what. I may be "newb" but I want to maintain our rights just as much as you veterans.
Here's a link I found.
illinoisairsoft.com/index.php?topic=216.0;wap2

Modified

So I've been looking into this and it seems that what I saw was only a proposed bill that never took into affect. Though there are city ordinances that ban replicas such as NY NY, some cities in NJ,MD, and MN. I guess what I learned is to do a little research before I travel too far with any weapon.

[redknight]

This is just one more reason we need to get off of our asses and have every one who is 18+ register with the NRA. I know, I know, some idiot is going to gripe and say that they don't want that affiliation, but it's more important than whether you agree with all of their politics, it's because it give you a legitimate voice in government by being a part of one of the most powerful private organizations in the US. I personally like the idea of paying dues and actually having lobbyists who bring issues before congress and lawyers who campaign aggressively to preserve our 2nd amendment rights. If we get on the band wagon we can ride with it. If not, we will probably have our voices ignored as the wagon rolls on over us. I have noted several policies in Michigan which were previously unenforced, all of which prohibit possession or ownership of facsimile firearms. All of these laws have been on the books for some time, and now are being enforced selectively. I personally have seen stacks of confiscated weapons which in many cases were confiscated solely because of minor modifications such as removing or blackening the orange tip from toys or airsoft guns. More and more these days, I am seeing minors in possession of BB-guns. They are cited for being a minor (under 18 years of age) in possession of a BB-gun, which is city ordinance 38-10-24 thru 38-10-27. Many of these ordinaces are antiquated and were originally intended to govern generic BB-guns, but now are being used to govern and regulate possession of airsoft guns as well. I have seen several such cases tried in 36th Dist court and the Judges have always upheld the ordinance. I am certain that the judges do not know or care about the difference between airsoft and pellet guns, but unless the matter is brought to light, it will continue to be enforced as it has been. I am cerain that with the wide range of interest we draw with airsoft that there is at least one attorney on the forums. I would really like to hear from a professional with regard to what can be done to clarify or amend such policies, or what we can do to be obedient to the law, but at the same time enjoy airsoft.

[Agouti]

If airsoft guns are ever classified as firearms, or some sort of bill passes, it specifically uses the word point. Even if not in a threatening manner (we know they are toys and actively participating), doesn't that still make the act of skirmishing with airsoft guns illegal, as it requires us to point them at each other?

[Reaper6]

If they ever do pass such a law, what one has to look at it's intent. When laws are enacted and enforced, you cannot just take the wording at face value, but one must look at the legal intent of the law. When laws are proposed, there is almost always a written intent that precedes the proposed legislation.

So, should they pass a law to protect the citizenry from malicious use of an airsoft gun, then such law would not, by it's intent, apply to airsoft games, where there is no malicious use. Unless it specifically states that the intent of the hypothetical law would be to ban airsoft as a sport/hobby, etc., then the law would not apply to airsoft games.

[ajgallina]

There is only one thing i dont understand, if my gun was bought without an orange tip, what do i do, what i have been doing while i am traveling is i put orange duct tape on it but what other than that?

[Ghast]

Orange tips are only required at the time of purchase (from a retailer, peer-to-peer trades and sales are exempt.) Any other time than that initial purchase, you may take the orange tip off at your discretion. It IS a good idea to put some orange tape on for transport, but is not at all necessary.

[ajgallina]

Thank you

[Dr. Steve Brule]

My uncle is a LEO and classifies airsoft guns as toys, and it is impossible to be arrested for posession of a airsoft gun. Also it is not illegal to remove the orange tip however it is unadvisable to do so

[lane]

That's a really nice research. It will tell a lot of new players what is required and what they can and can't do.

[Zorak]

There were a bunch of posts here that didn't really relate to Michigan law, so I did some renovation. As with any sticky thread, please exercise discretion when posting to this one.