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Article in The Evening Herald (14/11/2007)
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15-11-2007 11:07am#1Ladies and Gentleman, I'd like to draw your attention to this opinion piece printed in yesterday's Evening Herald, how no one spotted it and posted it before now is surprising....
Anyway, this is the lovely article:
And the following is the response from the IAAHivemind187 wrote:To the Editor of the Evening Herald and Gerry O'Carroll
Re: "Ban so-called "toy" guns before tragedy happens 14/11/2007
A chara,
I am writing to you with the intention of expressing the concern of
our members (Irish Airsoft Association) caused by your article in
yesterday's (14/11/2007) Evening Herald.
As the Vice-Chairman of the Irish Airsoft Association, which I should
precise is its infancy and the Constitution of which is awaiting
ratification by existing Members, I am respectfully requesting a
Right-of-Reply by way of printing elements of information herein, in
the interests of balanced reporting.
Whilst I am aware that Mr. O'Carroll's section is an opinion page, I
wish to draw your attention on a number of inaccuracies, which could
have been avoided with the bare minimum of research, whereby I
respectfully ask that these not be repeated again in the interests of
quality journalism.
1) The picture used in the piece presents two revolvers, which
appear entirely identical. Neither of these is an airsoft device,
whereby this image is misleading since Mr O'Carroll attacks airsoft.
2) Airsoft devices do not fall into a "grey area". The Criminal
Justice Bill 2006 has amended the 1964 Firearms Act to accommodate the
need for a definition of what a firearm actually is.
Having studied the ballistics reports and recommendations given by the
Metropolitan Police in the UK in the context of such amendments, the
minimum safety threshold established by UK forensics and ballistics
experts is a muzzle energy not exceeding 1 Joule (the kinetic energy
possessed by a projectile leaving the barrel). The scientifically –
established energy required to cause a wound of any significance, i.e.
penetrating human skin in its weakest point is approximately 2 Joules.
This change was pursued by An Garda Siochana in order to remove the
requirement to ballistic- test devices, which common sense and prior
knowledge would confirm as being harmless, tests which previously took
up unreasonable Garda time.
3) While Mr O'Carroll is correct in that a crime committed using
a replica would be treated as if the device was real, this position in
no way influences the legality of such devices, to the same extent as
a real firearm (as defined by the CJB 2006) may be lawfully owned, yet
used with criminal intent. I would point out that, as a former Garda,
he would be aware that any object wielded with intent is a weapon, to
the same extent as a golf club or hurley stick.
4) It is the considered opinion of the IAA that parents
permitting their children (for which he gives no age range) to
purchase, or purchasing on their behalf, airsoft equipment are acting
irresponsibly. The packaging of a majority of airsoft products bears
explicit markings in English, warning that such products should only
be sold to those over the age of 18. By way of example, the purchase
of an airsoft device exceeding 0.5 joules by any persons under the age
of 18 is a crime under French law, and French Statutes stipulate an
upper limit of 2 Joules for airsoft devices for those over 18, before
a firearms license must be sought.
5) Mr O'Carroll claims that there have been a number of serious
incidents involving airsoft equipment. However, we note that he does
not provide any evidence nor sources for these claims, nor does he
provide any dates or particulars. We should believe that it is
therefore hearsay and conjecture, which does not make for an informed
opinion nor objective journalism. Mr O'Carroll claims that a boy "lost
sight in his eye", yet again provides no details nor qualifies this
statement with any references: I would challenge Mr O'Carroll to prove
that such an incident –
a) occurred at all,
b) if it did happen, whether the device was actually an airsoft
device, or if it was an "airgun" (which we understand to discharge
metal projectiles and believe to exceed the Statutory 1 Joule limit
under the CJB 2006, and which is indeed therefore, a 'firearm') and
c) if it did happen and the device was actually an airsoft device,
that the device used was within the safety tolerance (1 Joule) set by
the CJB 2006, or beyond this safety tolerance and therefore illegal.
6) Mr O'Carroll draws the attention of the reader to last week's
deplorable incidents in Finland. We feel obliged to remark that such
incidents are entirely unrelated to airsoft, since the individual in
question was in possession of actual firearms, and not airsoft
equipment. Had this individual performed these deplorable actions
using airsoft equipment, then it is the IAA's considered opinion that
there would have been no casualties whatsoever.
7) Finally, Mr O'Carroll demands that airsoft equipment be
stamped out. We feel obliged to point out that the bare minimum of
research in the subject (namely entering "Airsoft" into an Internet
search engine, or consulting one or more relevant Wikipedia entries
for instance) would have yielded enough information to inform Mr
O'Carroll's opinion further, hopefully to assuage him that airsoft
equipment is indeed harmless. It would also have informed him about
the large and constantly – growing community of enthusiasts who use
the equipment for sporting purposes in the Republic.
The IAA has been promoting and coordinating efforts of airsoft
practitioners to see legislation brought in to curb the sale of
Airsoft equipment to those under 18 and, in keeping with this intent,
fully supports the prosecution of persons who use airsoft equipment in
any threatening and/or illegal manner.
The IAA plans to release a Press Release within the next few weeks, as
and when its Constitution will be approved by vote by existing Members
convened in AGM, and we take this opportunity to enclose a previous
version with this correspondence, and please feel free to contact me
or our Press Relations Officer, should you have any further enquiries
about this communication.
Yours sincerely,
Ronan James Lowe
Vice-Chairman of the Irish Airsoft Association
I was requested by Hivemind to lock this topic once I posted it to prevent it descending into chaos and name calling, however in the interest of letting people have a rational adult discussion I will leave it open, however be warned:
There is to be absolutely no off-topic posting or name calling or general muppetry in this thread0
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Also, the IAA have requested that people do not "start emailling and badgering everyone in the media or the dail and to leave such things to the proper reps from the IAA"
And lastly, many thanks to our very own Harekin for informing me about this article yesterday evening, I then contacted Hivemind for him to start the ball rolling on the official response you see above
+1 Harekin and KD for getting this too me
Well spotted folks! 0 -
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Very well written reply!
I think it would be a good idea to provide visual evidence that
Legally held Airsoft devices to not cause the damage that
the Media keep blameing them of causing.
Set up some safe tests (not on anything living)
eg: Get a pane of Double Glazed glass and fire a BB at it.
Video Tape it, or get a witness or a reporter in a controlled safe environment
to witness the fact things like that.
~B
We are working on it and discussing the best approach to take (i.e. convincing NOIP to stand still while I pelt his shins with auto-fire ) and we'll eventually post a number of videos, podcasts etc on the new website.
Its a good diea nad it will make a huge difference.0 -
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*curtsies*
Having re-read the piece, it certainly is interesting to witness the manner in which the argument constantly criss-crosses the line(s)/legal definitions between legally-owned firearms, illegal firearms, legal airsoft devices and non-airsoft toys, with no apparent logic.
A bit of a mash to be honest, which to my mind can only be the result of two or three things:
(i) a follow-up to the Duffy radio show for the sake of it
(iii) a follow-up to the Duffy radio show because firearm crime is a hot potato item (though airsoft are not firearms, but hey... why refer to the actual Law of the Land, I ask you :rolleyes:)
(ii) an opinion solely based on perception and/or hearsay (fine, everybody can have one - however don't bandy it about as journalism, which this article seems to try & crosses the line when referring to events in Ireland & Finland with no back-up)0 -
excellent responce Hivemind187 ,i honestly hope the editor of the hearld actuly reads the reponse and dosent dismiss it,
but think its time the media were educated properly about Airsoft ,prehaps the IAA could organise an media open day at a skirmish site,where a proper presentation of what Airsoft is ,worldwide numbers,growth rates and so on, then meet the teams and indiviuals who play,and i dont mean just a 2 team demo but anyone intrested in putting there say of whats airsoft is to the indivual ,with a full demographic of players ,ie different professions and age groups,
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Great response Ronan and Ambro...well done.
Just a thought for some of the other posters though, who have mentioned things like it being great to inform the editors, and educate the media about Airsoft.
The media don't care.
The editor doesn't care.
For the most part, the general public don't care.
The media are in the business of selling newspapers, magazines and TV, and a rational, objective piece on a fledgling sport in Ireland isnt going to do that. A sensationalist piece about these horrible replicas however, will.
That's not to say the IAA shouldn't bother - of course they should, and they're doing a fantastic job. My comments are aimed at those of you who think a few well thought out rebuttals are all thats needed to persuade our detractors to back off, and generate lots of nice positive media attention.
Because of the nature of our equipment and our scenarios, we're always going to be an easy target for the tub-thumpers and soap-box orators. Its up to the IAA and us, their supporters, to continue to fight what could well be a thankless and ongoing battle to educate and reassure the general public that we're not a bunch of dangerous lunatics with offensive weapons.
Don't be discouraged when there are LOTS more articles like these - no matter how well thought out our arguments, how safe we are, and how conscientious we are about our sport, these articles will continue to appear in order to inflame public passion, sell newspapers, and divert attention from other, more embarrassing political scandals.
Don't be discouraged when you hear a few people phone in to a radio show with ill-informed opinions and inaccurate facts - these people have already made up their minds, and we're not going to change their opinion, no matter how much science and logic we have on our side.
As I said on another thread the other day, when Joe Duffy mentioned my website on air, the number of visitors to the site sky-rocketed to over 600 unique visitors, and not one of them felt strongly enough to leave a comment condemning the site, the equipment or our sport. A few of them actually bought some though
So, to sum up...keep supporting the IAA in what is a necessary campaign to rebut our critics, but don't be discouraged or annoyed when we often seem to be on the defensive, or the critics seem to get more publicity than us - that's just the nature of the media.0 -
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Great response Ronan and Ambro...well done.
Just a thought for some of the other posters though, who have mentioned things like it being great to inform the editors, and educate the media about Airsoft.
The media don't care.
The editor doesn't care.
For the most part, the general public don't care.
The media are in the business of selling newspapers, magazines and TV, and a rational, objective piece on a fledgling sport in Ireland isnt going to do that. A sensationalist piece about these horrible replicas however, will.
That's not to say the IAA shouldn't bother - of course they should, and they're doing a fantastic job. My comments are aimed at those of you who think a few well thought out rebuttals are all thats needed to persuade our detractors to back off, and generate lots of nice positive media attention.
Because of the nature of our equipment and our scenarios, we're always going to be an easy target for the tub-thumpers and soap-box orators. Its up to the IAA and us, their supporters, to continue to fight what could well be a thankless and ongoing battle to educate and reassure the general public that we're not a bunch of dangerous lunatics with offensive weapons.
Don't be discouraged when there are LOTS more articles like these - no matter how well thought out our arguments, how safe we are, and how conscientious we are about our sport, these articles will continue to appear in order to inflame public passion, sell newspapers, and divert attention from other, more embarrassing political scandals.
Don't be discouraged when you hear a few people phone in to a radio show with ill-informed opinions and inaccurate facts - these people have already made up their minds, and we're not going to change their opinion, no matter how much science and logic we have on our side.
As I said on another thread the other day, when Joe Duffy mentioned my website on air, the number of visitors to the site sky-rocketed to over 600 unique visitors, and not one of them felt strongly enough to leave a comment condemning the site, the equipment or our sport. A few of them actually bought some though
So, to sum up...keep supporting the IAA in what is a necessary campaign to rebut our critics, but don't be discouraged or annoyed when we often seem to be on the defensive, or the critics seem to get more publicity than us - that's just the nature of the media.
Aye, spot on T, there's always going to be people giving out about airsoft, it makes a very easy target, the media couldn't care less whether we're responsible or not, all they want to do is sell papers or get people watching/listening.
Because we're involved in a relatively small and underground sport we make easy targets, you'll find skateboarders and surfers received similar treatment from the media overseas when those sports were taking off. The most important thing from the IAA's point of view is to make its case for airsoft, and to have reasoned arguments and facts on hand and ready should there ever come a time when we actually have to defend our sport from a serious attempt to outlaw it rather than just from the ill informed rantings of opinion driven tabloid journalism.0 -
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