age limit for hrta

nonex

i was thinging of lowering the age limit to 12 at hrta ,and maybe a probation
time of 2 months.
vote yes to lower age limit to 12 years.
vote no not to lower age from 14 years.
so get voting.

Voodoomelon

So "yes" for lowering the age to 12, and "no" to keep it as it is?

Personally i'm going to start heading down in the coming weeks and don't want to be shooting at 12 year olds, so that's a no for me. And as kids have hundreds of friends, the place could be over-run before you know it.

The Master

no

Age limit of 12 seems ok(dont think I'd feel right shooting anybody younger) , and 2 months probation is a good idea too.

Irishtrinity will love you for this:D

liamo333

no

As long as there is some probation I don't see any problem.

I think I know who will be voting yes:D

ED E

no

Pred have 12 year olds with no problems. Just "RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANYONE WITHOUT EXPLANATION" so it there are a group of messers you can just say "not toady":p

It all depends on how responsible they are:)

tonyj_mc

no

if pred do it i don't see why not, like the idea of probabtion. I'm asssuming parnets would have to sign them in?

gandalf

Sorry but I even feel 14 is probably too young. So tis a no from me.

Shiva

I gotta go with a no too, I'm afraid.

Fallschirmjager

well i have a problem here, not because of hrta, you are a business and you can do what you think is right, but the implication is we are or rather could be seen to be promoting 12 year olds buying aegs. this sport is in its infancy and is one evening herald headline away from getting cut off at the knees. personally i think it should be the age of voting, that gives us a moral equivalence, if you are old enough to pick a government you should be considered responsible enough to use an aeg..

as the sport matures, so our age limit can drop...but we are treading on thin ice here..IMHO

kdouglas

hmmm... im undecided on this one, trinity seems like a good kid and very mature for a 12 year old, but unforunately he's the exception, i think im more inclined to leave it at 14 for now...

(sorry trin )

ambro25

Fallschirmjager wrote:

well i have a problem here, not because of hrta, you are a business and you can do what you think is right, but the implication is we are or rather could be seen to be promoting 12 year olds buying aegs. this sport is in its infancy and is one evening herald headline away from getting cut off at the knees. personally i think it should be the age of voting, that gives us a moral equivalence, if you are old enough to pick a government you should be considered responsible enough to use an aeg..

as the sport matures, so our age limit can drop...but we are treading on thin ice here..IMHO

I have a bigger problem, and while indeed I fully acknowledge HRTA's right to do as they please regarding admissions (with appropriate caveats and disclaimers of course), I'm siding with Gandalf and Shiva with a 'no'. Somehow, the mental image of 30-somethings shooting at 12-somethings, all harmless, good-fun and good-natured that it may be, just doesn't sit right. Even 14 still feels a bit 'off' (then again, I will readily acknowledge that a lot of 14 years olds are resonably 'big').

gandalf

What might be a better idea is to have a junior day once a month with tighter controls?

I'm like Ambro given all the crap going on these days I certainly don't feel comfortable skirmishing with 12-14 year olds.

kdouglas

that'd be a good idea actually, have an under 14's/16's day once a month

Voodoomelon

ambro25 wrote:

I have a bigger problem, and while indeed I fully acknowledge HRTA's right to do as they please regarding admissions (with appropriate caveats and disclaimers of course), I'm siding with Gandalf and Shiva with a 'no'. Somehow, the mental image of 30-somethings shooting at 12-somethings, all harmless, good-fun and good-natured that it may be, just doesn't sit right. Even 14 still feels a bit 'off' (then again, I will readily acknowledge that a lot of 14 years olds are resonably 'big').

Well said. If anyone ever asked one of us attending hrta "so what kind of age group is it?" and you replied "well anything between 12 and 40", they'd turn around and say "so you have grown men shooting at 12 year old boys?!". There would be absolute uproar. And like Gandalf said, even 14 is too young in my eyes.

If you have to be at least 17 in the UK to buy an airsoft gun, then 12 year olds should NOT be allowed to play the sport.

ED E

no

Em, dont UK sight do it all the time? I know they're at it longer but i dont see the herald finding hrta!

At least do that brilliant idea of a youths day. THing is getting enough people. 12- 16, mightn't get enough any one day. I clould bring 4 in that bracket.

Maybe if they behaved well they could get a pass.

Spitfire666

no

gandalf wrote:

What might be a better idea is to have a junior day once a month with tighter controls?

I'm like Ambro given all the crap going on these days I certainly don't feel comfortable skirmishing with 12-14 year olds.

the way i see it is if the parents come along to sign them in each time and probation is used it wouldn't be too bad. l'm nowhere near my 30s so the shooing at them for me would fall under, if they are willing to shoot me i'm willing to shoot them

liamo333

no

kdouglas wrote:

that'd be a good idea actually, have an under 14's/16's day once a month

As in an only 14/16 year olds and under day? There are mabey 10 people under 16 who play/are seriously interested in airsoft. How many of these would actually show up, mabey 3 or 4?

liamo333

no

Spitfire666 wrote:

if they are willing to shoot me i'm willing to shoot them

Well said

Wossack

Id imagine the games would require a certain level of maturity that I cant see the majority of under 16s having (exceptions of course), taking hits, distance rules, blind firing etc etc

not to mention the public image... *shudders*

Fallschirmjager

ambro25 wrote:

I have a bigger problem, and while indeed I fully acknowledge HRTA's right to do as they please regarding admissions (with appropriate caveats and disclaimers of course), I'm siding with Gandalf and Shiva with a 'no'. Somehow, the mental image of 30-somethings shooting at 12-somethings, all harmless, good-fun and good-natured that it may be, just doesn't sit right. Even 14 still feels a bit 'off' (then again, I will readily acknowledge that a lot of 14 years olds are resonably 'big').

actually i too have a problem with that...and agree with ambro and the other old gits here...and on a serious note, feel distinctly uncomfortable with it.

rather then a unders day, how about an overs day?

ED E

no

My bro is 14 and I'm 16. Even when i was 15 i took my hits. Yes, there are people who wouldn't and with pred they have loads of marshals, paul doesnt have that option but hrta is generally only get people with genuine interest, thus willing to play fair.

Spitfire666

no

Wossack wrote:

Id imagine the games would require a certain level of maturity that I cant see the majority of under 16s having (exceptions of course), taking hits, distance rules, blind firing etc etc

not to mention the public image... *shudders*

the maturity issue would be sorted with the probation and explaining the games

Spitfire666

no

and i've also seen older 'mature' people not take hits so i don't see that as being a good no point.

frozenbullet

no

I would say "yes" for the more people that attend airsoft in Ireland,the bigger it
will get.

Fallschirmjager

the issue is nothing to do with taking hits..i think ye need to reread this thread

Lemming

Whilst it'd be good to get younger people involved in airsoft, I do have to agree with the nay-sayers in that we need to thread very carefully around the issue of under 18s in general and airsoft for public image since the sport is very much in its infancy here.

Whilst I think most people around the 16+ age bracket can be expected to behave reasonably, i think anyone under that age should probably be accompanied by an parent/guardian or have some sort of probation (or both?)

The unders day sounds like a good idea mind you, but see my above thoughts.

As the original proposal stands I've voted 'no'. I think it'd be opening pandoras box as it stands.

As for shooting at youngsters. I have no issues about firing at someone who's firing at me ...

Wossack

Spitfire666 wrote:

and i've also seen older 'mature' people not take hits so i don't see that as being a good no point.

they'll be exceptions both ways - I dont think it invalidates the point. The ratio of mature:immature customers will be higher above the 16 year old line, then below it

Fallschirmjager wrote:

the issue is nothing to do with taking hits..i think ye need to reread this thread

dunno if thats directed at me, if so - rebuttal:

I didnt think there was a specific issue being discussed. Nonex wants peoples views on lowering the age restriction, people are voting and giving their reasoning

My point is not about taking hits, rather on maturity. You cant honestly say, if an <16 year old day was arranged, that a higher number of marshalls wouldnt be required?

I also agree on the public image issue, and the views of older people shooting children, but I felt that point had been concisely made already

Fiach Dubh

no

I voted yes on this. Most places in NI and the UK allow 12 year olds. There were a few young people at Pred last time I was there and I saw no problems occur.

Fallschirmjager

Wossack wrote:

they'll be exceptions both ways - I dont think it invalidates the point. The ratio of mature:immature customers will be higher above the 16 year old line, then below it





dunno if thats directed at me, if so - rebuttal:

I didnt think there was a specific issue being discussed. Nonex wants peoples views on lowering the age restriction, people are voting and giving their reasoning

My point is not about taking hits, rather on maturity. You cant honestly say, if an <16 year old day was arranged, that a higher number of marshalls wouldnt be required?

I also agree on the public image issue, and the views of older people shooting children, but I felt that point had been concisely made already

nope dude not at you at all. its your last two points i was hoping others who seemed to be assuming that taking 'hits' equates to maturity, but seemed to be missing the point particularly about the image of airsoft..

ED E

no

I Think some imput from pred crew might lean towards causiosly allowing them.

Irish Trinity

no

ok....... so i came on today and saw this thread and immediately clicked it i'm pretty sure that this thread was made because of me....... yes i do see where you are all coming from i know how much you guys love this sport and dont want it banned and trust me i've seen alot of 12 year olds being right idiots but i think you should just give it a try and see what happens or leave the limit at 14 but if people around 12 would like to play and they are mature enough to take hits then they should atleast get a chance?........

Mark_Sc

no

All the airsoft gun manifactures do say on their boxes not for under 18s....

The Master

no

Mine say not for sale to under 18's
Only to be used by under 18's with adult supervision.

If under 14's were playing im sure their parents would have signed the permission waiver and will be there on site to see whats happening

Edit:
I think an under-age day once a month is a good idea because how often is a 12 year old gonna have the rental fee to play? or how often will the parents want to give the cash for them to play?

Mark_Sc

no

Idid vote yes by the way, i remember what it was like when i was 12 and i think a trial session is in order but i think the problem doesnt lie with responsability but with how people react to these things, on the first day whupass had one of his teeth chipped when it got hit with a bb. If that were a 12 year old then we could all be cutting little articals out of the newspapers before they are sold... "airsoft, so good the Irish hate to see it leave"

fletch...

I voted No, i think airsoft should be left to establish itself a bit longer, as already mentioned - it only takes one hick up.

I know that some 12/14 year olds are more mature then others but could you imagine if one of em got hurt, or playing in an unorganised team of mad kids running around the place, and the bad press.

and incouraging kids to buy/play with aegs just isnt on, I wont even mention airsoft to some of my mates (25+) cause I just know they would somehow screw up and damage the good (?) name of airsoft.

there are a couple on here who i personally would not mind skirmishing with, but I definatly would not open the door to all 12 year olds

just my opinion

Shiva

Yep...thats what I was thinking.

Its all very well a 12 year old (or any minor for that matter) getting their parents permission to play, but if one of them were to be hurt, even superficially, it could well develop into a sh1tstorm.

At least as adults we accept responsibility for what happens ourselves. A minor, through no fault of their own, may not have that option if something goes wrong.

sidneyreilly

no

Just a suggestion: Under 16s accompanied by a sposor or guardian?

o1s1n

I would be against under 14s coming along to HRTA to play the overs. However I think an under 16 day would be a great idea.

Predator allows 12 year olds. But you have to remember, Predator is a huge outdoor area. There chances of physical contact are pretty slim. HRTA on the other hand is up close and personal. All it would take is one big 30 year old to accidentally run into one 12 year old and there would be serious problems. A lot of adults would not feel comfortable playing in such a small area against younger players.

I think with the current set up it's best left as is. When we get a bigger site to play on then the age could be reconsidered.

Dave!

no

I voted yes. It doesn't make a difference what age the person shooting is. The guns all have to be less than a joule; nobody has an advantage. If the 12 year old cannot take the pain, then they won't play. They're not being forced to take a firing squad or anythin.

If it's lowered I think that a parent should deffo have to sign them in though.

Irish Trinity

no

and plus i'm 5'7" so really i wont mind it and i wouldn't mind my parents signing me in

Harekin

I voted no, and to be honest I think even 14 is a little young. Sorry to whoever this may effect but even with waivers signed and such the Papers could still spin a story and then its game over...for everyone.

Evolute

Sorry to all of those that are under 14 but. I dont like the idea of shooting 12 13 or 14 year olds regardless of waivers because it really does only take one A** hole parent to screw it all up

Irish Trinity

no

i think i'm pretty much the only one who is under 12

Dave!

no

Think there was 1 or 2 others

o1s1n

Mark_sc and RC_Racing_fanatic are young uns too. I think.

liamo333

no

Me, mark, whupass, lethal bullet, irish trinity and rc_racing are all 16 or under.
Did i miss anyone?

o1s1n

This thread is about being changed from 14 to 12 though. 15 and 16 are in the clear.

Anyway, lets not have this turn into a "should under X age be allowed to play airsoft" debate. I take it Paul would be appreciative too if it were to stay on topic.

Fallschirmjager

...

ED E

no

liamo333 wrote:

Me, mark, whupass, lethal bullet, irish trinity and rc_racing are all 16 or under.
Did i miss anyone?

CORRECTION! I am 16 for a few months now! My companions at skirmishes (only at hrta twice:(, pred 3 or 4 ) are 14 , 15,15,15.

Whupass had a friend with him on te first day, same age, tall guy, dunno is he on here?

o1s1n

Fallschirmjager, I hope you saved that post before you removed it. Was actually a good read.

HarryHirsch

NO NO ,NO GOOD FOR ME (my Sport),DON'T NEED NO ONE under the the age of 18, THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR ME(Prodigy). In my opinion you need to have a certain age and maturity to handle the guns with care. With a person in charge, it could be at the age of 16.:cool: