We all knew this day would come.
Californians can't have nice things.
Especially when it comes to guns.
SB 199...yes, that one...takes effect January 1st, 2016.
We all now that the general population is scared of guns, especially those in our elected offices (we're looking at you, DeLeon), and the sight of what may appear as one can frighten even the most antsy of meercats. The argument of "here's two guns, one is Hello Kitty and the other flat black. The Hello Kitty one is the real firearm" is still alive, but we didn't win.
Californians can't have nice things.
Especially when it comes to guns.
SB 199...yes, that one...takes effect January 1st, 2016.
We all now that the general population is scared of guns, especially those in our elected offices (we're looking at you, DeLeon), and the sight of what may appear as one can frighten even the most antsy of meercats. The argument of "here's two guns, one is Hello Kitty and the other flat black. The Hello Kitty one is the real firearm" is still alive, but we didn't win.
Well, we sort of got away with it.
In the wake of almost having airsoft guns look like non-functional training guns, there was a compromise.
How will it effect you, and what can you do about it?
Here's the verbatim, with the airsoft-important stuff in bold:
--------------------------
SECTION 1. Section 16250 of the Penal Code is amended to read:16250.
(a) As used in this part, “BB device” means any instrument that expels a projectile, such as a BB or a pellet, not exceeding 6mm caliber, through the force of air pressure, gas pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun.
(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2016, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2016, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 2.
Section 16250 is added to the Penal Code, to read:
16250.
(a) As used in this part, “BB device” means any instrument that expels a projectile, such as a BB or a pellet, through the force of air pressure, gas pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun.
(b) This section shall be operative on January 1, 2016.
SEC. 3. Section 16700 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
16700.
(a) As used in this part, “imitation firearm” means any BB device, toy gun, replica of a firearm, or other device that is so substantially similar in coloration and overall appearance to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to perceive that the device is a firearm.
(b) As used in Section 20165, “imitation firearm” does not include any of the following:
(1) A nonfiring collector’s replica that is historically significant, and is offered for sale in conjunction with a wall plaque or presentation case.
(2) A BB device.
(3) A device where the entire exterior surface of the device is white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, or bright purple, either singly or as the predominant color in combination with other colors in any pattern, as provided by federal regulations governing imitation firearms, or where the entire device is constructed of transparent or translucent materials which permits unmistakable observation of the device’s complete contents, as provided by federal regulations governing imitation firearms.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2016, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2016, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 4. Section 16700 is added to the Penal Code, to read:
16700.
(a) As used in this part, “imitation firearm” means any BB device, toy gun, replica of a firearm, or other device that is so substantially similar in coloration and overall appearance to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to perceive that the device is a firearm.
(b) As used in Section 20165, “imitation firearm” does not include any of the following:
(1) A nonfiring collector’s replica that is historically significant, and is offered for sale in conjunction with a wall plaque or presentation case.
(2) A spot marker gun which expels a projectile that is greater than 10mm caliber.
(3) A BB device that expels a projectile, such as a BB or pellet, that is other than 6mm or 8mm caliber.
(4) A BB device that is an airsoft gun that expels a projectile, such as a BB or pellet, that is 6mm or 8mm caliber which meets the following:
(A) If the airsoft gun is configured as a handgun, in addition to the blaze orange ring on the barrel required by federal law, the airsoft gun has a trigger guard that has fluorescent coloration over the entire guard, and there is a two centimeter wide adhesive band around the circumference of the protruding pistol grip that has fluorescent coloration.
(B) If the airsoft gun is configured as a rifle or long gun, in addition to the blaze orange ring on the barrel required by federal law, the airsoft gun has a trigger guard that has fluorescent coloration over the entire guard, and there is a two centimeter wide adhesive band with fluorescent coloring around the circumference of any two of the following:
(i) The protruding pistol grip.
(ii) The buttstock.
(iii) A protruding ammunition magazine or clip.
(5) A device where the entire exterior surface of the device is white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, or bright purple, either singly or as the predominant color in combination with other colors in any pattern, or where the entire device is constructed of transparent or translucent materials which permits unmistakable observation of the device’s complete contents.
(c) The adhesive bands described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) shall be applied in a manner not intended for removal, and shall be in place on the airsoft gun prior to sale to a customer.
(d) This section shall be operative on January 1, 2016.
In the wake of almost having airsoft guns look like non-functional training guns, there was a compromise.
How will it effect you, and what can you do about it?
Here's the verbatim, with the airsoft-important stuff in bold:
--------------------------
SECTION 1. Section 16250 of the Penal Code is amended to read:16250.
(a) As used in this part, “BB device” means any instrument that expels a projectile, such as a BB or a pellet, not exceeding 6mm caliber, through the force of air pressure, gas pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun.
(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2016, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2016, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 2.
Section 16250 is added to the Penal Code, to read:
16250.
(a) As used in this part, “BB device” means any instrument that expels a projectile, such as a BB or a pellet, through the force of air pressure, gas pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun.
(b) This section shall be operative on January 1, 2016.
SEC. 3. Section 16700 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
16700.
(a) As used in this part, “imitation firearm” means any BB device, toy gun, replica of a firearm, or other device that is so substantially similar in coloration and overall appearance to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to perceive that the device is a firearm.
(b) As used in Section 20165, “imitation firearm” does not include any of the following:
(1) A nonfiring collector’s replica that is historically significant, and is offered for sale in conjunction with a wall plaque or presentation case.
(2) A BB device.
(3) A device where the entire exterior surface of the device is white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, or bright purple, either singly or as the predominant color in combination with other colors in any pattern, as provided by federal regulations governing imitation firearms, or where the entire device is constructed of transparent or translucent materials which permits unmistakable observation of the device’s complete contents, as provided by federal regulations governing imitation firearms.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2016, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2016, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 4. Section 16700 is added to the Penal Code, to read:
16700.
(a) As used in this part, “imitation firearm” means any BB device, toy gun, replica of a firearm, or other device that is so substantially similar in coloration and overall appearance to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to perceive that the device is a firearm.
(b) As used in Section 20165, “imitation firearm” does not include any of the following:
(1) A nonfiring collector’s replica that is historically significant, and is offered for sale in conjunction with a wall plaque or presentation case.
(2) A spot marker gun which expels a projectile that is greater than 10mm caliber.
(3) A BB device that expels a projectile, such as a BB or pellet, that is other than 6mm or 8mm caliber.
(4) A BB device that is an airsoft gun that expels a projectile, such as a BB or pellet, that is 6mm or 8mm caliber which meets the following:
(A) If the airsoft gun is configured as a handgun, in addition to the blaze orange ring on the barrel required by federal law, the airsoft gun has a trigger guard that has fluorescent coloration over the entire guard, and there is a two centimeter wide adhesive band around the circumference of the protruding pistol grip that has fluorescent coloration.
(B) If the airsoft gun is configured as a rifle or long gun, in addition to the blaze orange ring on the barrel required by federal law, the airsoft gun has a trigger guard that has fluorescent coloration over the entire guard, and there is a two centimeter wide adhesive band with fluorescent coloring around the circumference of any two of the following:
(i) The protruding pistol grip.
(ii) The buttstock.
(iii) A protruding ammunition magazine or clip.
(5) A device where the entire exterior surface of the device is white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, or bright purple, either singly or as the predominant color in combination with other colors in any pattern, or where the entire device is constructed of transparent or translucent materials which permits unmistakable observation of the device’s complete contents.
(c) The adhesive bands described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) shall be applied in a manner not intended for removal, and shall be in place on the airsoft gun prior to sale to a customer.
(d) This section shall be operative on January 1, 2016.
If you're purchasing a pistol in California, expect the blaze orange tip, plus a colored trigger guard, and a 2cm wide strip of colored tape on the grip.
If you're purchasing a long gun or rifle in California, expect the blaze orange tip, a colored trigger guard, and a 2cm wide piece of colored tape on either the grip, magazine, or stock.
However, if your gun is painted in bright colors, in any color combination or pattern, you don't have to worry about the blaze colored tapes.
So, how does one get away with owning an airsoft gun that still looks badass?
So, how does one get away with owning an airsoft gun that still looks badass?
Just look at some of your favorite video games for inspirational paint jobs and you'll be sure to find a way to still make your gun look mean and green at the same time.
Destiny is the perfect starting point.
Sure, their designs are more exotic and may not be available right out of the box, but this is airsoft goddamit! This is the sport where a kid with a Crossman has the same 6mm bb coming out as the guy with the Inokatsu.
Adapt, overcome, conquer.
Destiny is the perfect starting point.
Sure, their designs are more exotic and may not be available right out of the box, but this is airsoft goddamit! This is the sport where a kid with a Crossman has the same 6mm bb coming out as the guy with the Inokatsu.
Adapt, overcome, conquer.