Airsoft guns are weapons that shoot small plastic BBs through the use of air pressure. Airsoft guns are often used in competitions much like paintball guns. Competitors divide up into teams in a designated playing area--such as a large enclosed room or a field that is marked off--and have battles. There are many regulations involving the use of airsoft guns and airsoft gun competitions. Most of the regulations for airsoft guns and competitions are left up to states or smaller communities or even local airsoft clubs. Although none are exactly the same, most follow the same general guidelines.
U.S. Regulations
The only federal regulations in the United States for airsoft require that states cannot make airsoft guns illegal, other than for minors, and that each gun have a bright orange tip on the barrel. These guns are made to be as realistic as possible, so the bright orange tips make sure they are not confused with real guns.
General Play
During a competition, players are always required to wear eye protection. When a player is hit with a BB, even one from their own teammate, they are considered "out" or "dead" and can't continue playing. They are usually required to act out a dramatic death or yell out that they have been hit and then mark themselves as dead somehow, usually with a brightly colored cloth. They usually are required to move to a safe zone and they aren't allowed to shoot their guns or assist their teammates in any way. They may be allowed to return after a designated waiting period.
Weapon Regulations
The weapons at an airsoft competition usually are checked to make sure they don't shoot harder than what is allowed. There usually are designated areas where the guns can be tested safely. There also can be regulations stipulating how far a person can be from the shooter before the shooter can shoot them.
Officials
Most competitions have officials or referees to make sure everyone is being safe and that they are abiding by the regulations. If a non-player enters the playing area, the players are required to acknowledge this with a yell and place their weapons on the ground. When play has stopped, an official usually is required to approach the non-player in a friendly manner and explain what is going on and ask them to leave the playing area in a timely manner for their own safety. Officials usually will have whistles or other ways to signal the players when to pause, resume or stop play all together.
Honor
Honor plays an important role in airsoft competitions and the regulations usually reflect that. Since the BBs don't leave easily visible marks like paintball pellets, the player has to be "on his honor" and admit to being hit. Players must acknowledge hits and cannot pretend to be dead when they have not been hit or they usually will be asked to leave the competition. Players also are asked to honor the safe shooting distance. If they are too close to someone, they are supposed to ask their opponent to surrender instead of shoot them. Players can also tag their opponent instead of shoot them. Many governing bodies will ask the players to respect the playing area and leave it in as good or better condition than when they got there.
Tags: make sure, playing area, shoot them, usually required, airsoft competitions, airsoft guns