News of the World p14

Harekin

Guys aint read it yet but apparently the News of the World today is digging up old news and calling on a ban. I think they also mention Main Irish Airsoft as the place ALL the replicas are coming from. Dont blame me for minor inaccuracies, Im basing this on a text message!

ITS ACTUALLY PAGE 12!!

EDIT: Iv read it now...MIA takes it quite hard in this. They actually visited his shop and bought two pistols. They got a "Umarex Type-R" and what looks like a Beretta of some make. They were even able to say he was expecting a shipment from Denmark to arrive on Monday.

I hope the IAA acts on this quick, because Pat Rabbitte said he wants them banned. There is even mention of them being converted to fire live rounds! The article is bullcrap. It says they're illegal in "MOST" European countries...infact its legal in nearly all countries barring Australia with most countries having a HIGHER power rating than us!

As for the "looking real" aspect...you can rob a shop with a knife, syringe, golf club, crow-bar, baseball bat, hurley, screwdriver, a REAL gun(for around the same price from what Iv heard)...how about we ban cooking, medicine, golf, various industries, baseball, hurling, various trades and real guns and see what happens.

The Gardai are being shot at with real-steel weapons...I think they've more to worry about than some idiot potentially acting the fruit with an Airsoft.

Fallschirmjager

oh dear....looks like the iaa meeting is happening at just the right time.

on a positive note..apparently there was 65 at hrta yesterday partially thanks to joe duffy, jeasus we wont be able to budge in the place next week with all the new players LOL

and as i said before, they would blame the shops...how sad is that...

gandalf

Its typical tbh, they don't blame the parents if its children or the individual if its an adult. They go for the shock value. Lets be honest we have an "import" rag paper that was probably using profanities to describe irish people 20 years ago spouting badly researched rubbish (why people buy these sub standard excuses for papers is beyond me!). If someone can fire a scan up of the article I can see exactly what Pat Rabbitte was supposed to have said and try and contact him as he is now my local TD since August.

Hivemind187

.... ehhhh ....

... Its the News of the World ... I consider the "Daily Sport" to be a better quality paper.

In all honesty, and this isnt trying to be offensive, but the kind of people who take anything seriously from the News of te World shouldnt be allowed to breed. It isnt fair on the offspring they would create.

As it stands, the response is the same one we give to every trashy piece like this. Do your research. Read the website. Contact the IAA. Go to HRTA. Don't stir the pot.

They can't hurt us with lies and libel anyway.

Gandalf, if Rabbitte did have somethign to say by all means have a chat with him. Put him contact with the IAA if needs be and remind him that there are several business acting honestly (including MIA) who make a living at this - attacking such things is damaging local businesses and removing a safe hobby that teenagers can puruse away from street corners etc

Harekin

I cant type a quote as my 2 year old is here and needs to be watched but he basically says he wants them banned because he sees holdups happening over Christmas and apparently some well known criminals were "admiring" the stuff at the T4BB's show.

Hivemind187

Harekin wrote: »

I cant type a quote as my 2 year old is here and needs to be watched but he basically says he wants them banned because he sees holdups happening over Christmas and apparently some well known criminals were "admiring" the stuff at the T4BB's show.

... you have got to be kidding me.

Harekin

Nope thats what it says!

Hivemind187

One of these days I will grab an editor or a politician by the lapels and scream

"Have you any idea how ****ing busy I am? I have to get up on a Sunday to deal with THIS???? Have you no hobbies!!!!???!!!"

Really, politicians like this hsake my confidence that they arent really thick just immensely self-serving.

Honestly, my aunt (who didnt know about airsoft) heard the Spin show and was talking to my father about it and she couldnt understand what the problem was - if its sport why is everyone so uppity?

To put this in context, my aunt listens to David Icke and believes strongly in alien abduction theory. If she can get it, why the hell cant everyone else?

/rant over

gandalf

Well I think you guys in the IAA need to contact Pat put him right and show him that it is not the criminal fraternity that are the people driving the popularity of airsoft but registered law abiding voters like me.

penguin-o7

that is the biggest load of bull ever
how can they say its illegal in most countries
when the Bergert 6 event will be happening next year or so.

jinko

maybe whats needed here is some data from countries that have been using airsoft taggers for a while now any info on how many if any are used in crime as opposed to real weapons, so the next time someone starts waffling on about crimenal activity we have some solid facts to dispute this.

Fallschirmjager

bawhhaha that is priceless...absolutely priceless...honestly you cant make this stuff up..

so lets go thru this step by step

1. we have criminals who are known
2. they want to buy something legal to do something ILLEGAL
3. so the answer is to BAN THE LEGAL ITEM!!!! BAWHAHAHAHAHA

oh yeah, id say those criminals are quaking in their boots about that!!!

oh no, i was going to rob a bank, BUT THEY BANNED AIRSOFT, so i guess i wont then...

jesus that is so funny i am going to get sick!!!

Hivemind187

jinko wrote: »

maybe whats needed here is some data from countries that have been using airsoft taggers for a while now any info on how many if any are used in crime as opposed to real weapons, so the next time someone starts waffling on about crimenal activity we have some solid facts to dispute this.

Both the original press release and the new press release includes information on other countries with reference to the energy limit (or other legal limitations)

gandalf

A press release is one thing however it would be prudent to nip this in the bud. Any politicians quoted should be contacted and educated. Otherwise one of them could go into crusade mode and we really don't need that.

jinko

but what about crime figures ? as this is the main argument of the ban the airsoft brigade it would be nice to have some hard fact to shoot them down with ( pun very much intended )

ED E

So much for standards of journalism.

All the reporter needed to do was google airsoft and they'd find out its legal almost everywhere.

And Pat Rabbitte, Gandalf will put him in his box...

Ohhh, way to get me angry.

Harekin

If the current government (regardless of its shortcomings)stave off the Oppositions attack on Airsoft...then they will have finally have gained some respect with me and might even get my vote next time round!

gandalf

Lethal tbh its not surprising, this is not journalism its an English Red Top Rag pretending to be Irish. They are not interested in accuracy they are interested in a sensationalist headline, the easy option so to speak.

As for Pat Rabbitte I would prefer if the IAA contacted him directly but if needed I can do it.

Hivemind187

gandalf wrote: »

Lethal tbh its not surprising, this is not journalism its an English Red Top Rag pretending to be Irish. They are not interested in accuracy they are interested in a sensationalist headline, the easy option so to speak.

As for Pat Rabbitte I would prefer if the IAA contacted him directly but if needed I can do it.

Gandalf, PM me his contact details and I'll get one of the guys to get in touch with him.

kdouglas

have to head to the shop now in a minute, ill scan a copy and upload it in the next hour hopefully

agree with everyone here though, usual sensationalist bull that hasn't been researched in the slightest.

gandalf

Hivemind187 wrote: »

Gandalf, PM me his contact details and I'll get one of the guys to get in touch with him.

Hive sent you those details along with the press officers for the Labour party. I suggest contact is made with the PR for all the other political parties so they can be familiarised with Airsoft.

liamo333

Jesus! Cant belive I paid 1.30 for that. Atleast Joe Duffy was free

Harekin

Yeah...it is aload of crap!

BFSL

The gas thing about all this is that the Gardai found 140 real AK47s last year and another one this week on Camden street, and they think criminals need BB guns to commit crime!!!!:o.
By the way, no one tried to contact us, so, more lies.

gandalf

I can just see their headline next week.

"Sundays Oirish News of the World doubles circulation"

SniperSight

This is just spiffing isnt it!! No sooner is Airsoft starting to gain popularity and understanding and these printed toilet role papers are trying to sully the good nature of the majority of airsofters. No, dont bother thinking about the fun people have with airsoft, and GUESS WHAT? We dont have to rob a bank to have fun.
No the "journalists(used VERY loosely)" sensationalise a few ROTTEN apples and what they MIGHT do.:(
Heres an interesting thought..... You could rob a bank with a knife, so therefore maybe there should be calls for Pat Rabbite to ban the sale of cutlery.:eek:

Sigh!!!!!!

BFSL

The most annoying thing about all this is that we sold these BB guns to this guy and genuine customers lost out.:mad::mad:

Hivemind187

BFSL wrote: »

The most annoying thing about all this is that we sold these BB guns to this guy and genuine customers lost out.:mad::mad:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the tone and phrazing suggests that you are selling dangerous weapons from your MIA retailer.

Along with all the other nonsense and ficticious claims, I think its grounds for a libel suit. Defaming your business and product along with unjustifiably calling your sales practices into question is actionable and I certainly wouldnt have tried to get awayu with it as a journo.

Ambro maybe able to shed a little more light on that subject though.

Mrs MaxForce

BFSL wrote: »

The most annoying thing about all this is that we sold these BB guns to this guy and genuine customers lost out.:mad::mad:

you guys at,
BFSL and the other supplers in ireland provide an excellent service for all us genuine airsoft enthusiast's the least they could have done was got thing right and given you the chance to put your point across.
REGARDS G-TAC

Masada

hivemind is right, you should have your solicitor send them a letter telling them to retract what they said, after all they pretty much said you are selling illegal dangerous weapons., be on your gaurd though because id imagine a lot of the other rags will be lurking on the story and maybe try their luck at your shop.,

AirsoftEire.com

This seems to be getting out of hand now, all this senationalist rubbish. People are saying that its not hurting airsoft and no-one reads certain papers etc, but the fact is people DO read those papers and it is hurting airsofts image big time.

As the media hangs onto this story, it pumps peoples minds full of lies and builds a sub-concious of "airsoft guns are bad news, ban them". I'm glad the IAA meeting is just around the corner.
Steve

NakedDex

Sensationalistic journalism is rarely taken seriously and, to be honest and personal for a second, anyone who spends their Sunday reading a tabloid has curries no favour or respect from me.
However, tabloid news papers, irrespective of their lineage or demographic, are the kindling that starts a fire in the media on many occasions. And the only way to fight fire, is with fire. I'm not saying we should take out anger out on the hacks that are writing this drivel. I'm saying we should have our own media event. Get some radio and journalist heads to a pre-set event where they can be shown the what, whys, wheres, whens and hows of the sport and an explanation to all of them, once and for all, that airsoft units, of any type, cannot be converted to rs or lethal weapons.
Someone, a while ago, linked a youtube video of a New Zealand site and it's players in mid-skirmish. They did some brief interviews and some explanations. It was all very objectively and excellently produced and portrayed. We need something along these lines. Suggestions were made on a previous thread about who we should possibly invite to such an event. Perhaps some more thought should go into that and have it actually happen. I, for one would be more than happy to help organise it, should the IAA approve such an event.


Also, as was mentioned previously, from my reading of that piece, MIA has indeed been portrayed more like a portrait of an arms dealer than as the supplier of hobby/sport equipment. And that's coming from someone who knows the true nature of the stores intent. The uninitated and uninformed could genuinely think something similar and take umbridge toward it. That sounds like defamation to me (though my training in law is strictly air law so do not take my word on it, it is only a personal theory). If BFSL/MIA has a company mission statement in order, now would be a good time to deploy it to the relevant people in that paper.


There was a piece in several papers about a member of the Gardai confiscating an AK47 with two magazines, one empty and one full, from a man running down O'Connell street a few days ago. If I remember correctly, the article was in several newspapers and consisted only of approximately a 100-500 word article in each (including the Independant). If such a deadly weapon was taken from a man who was so flagrantly flaunting ownership of the item is not taken seriously enough by even a tabloid, why on Earth should an innocent weekend hobby/sport garner more column inches than a genuinely potentially lethal situation involving a heavily armed individual in a crowded area being disarmed and arrested by an unarmed Garda.


Apologies for the length of the post. Innacuracy and flagrant misinterpretation of facts annoys me.

JohnReisman

Here is the youtube thing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhUm_HLM3Is

Its quite worth a look

JohnReisman

I would just like to suggest that for all you that are unsatisfied with the News of the World as a newspaper that you all can come over to my place to read a much higher quality paper. I normally keep it in the bathroom and store it in a roll because there is so much to read.

~Marky~

Here is the article


Gardai are outraged that dangerous airguns are being sold as Christmas presents and falling in to the hands of criminals.
The replicas are dead ringers for the real thing- and can blind.Cops are terrified a child will lose an eye,and are worried the guns will be used by gangsters to rob banks and businesses.
The weapons,which fire plastic pellets,made their debut at the recent Toys For Big Boys show in Dublin's RDS. They are illegl in many european countries-but do not even require a permit here.
Last night,a Garda source called on a ban of the guns.He said "If these fall into the wrong hands we could have a nightmare situation with dozen of hold-ups over Christmas."
The pistols are imported by Main Irish Airsoft in the Ballycoolin Industrial Estate in Dublin.

GRENADES

Last week,we bought a pair of handguns from MIA for just 300 Euro.The shop also sells immitation shotguns,M15 assault rifles and grenade launchers.Mia is awaiting a shipment of weapons from Denmark and expects to sell out within days.
Security experts have warned the replicas could be easily mistaken for the real thing.Last night,Labours justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte called for the guns to be outlawed.
He said "What happens if Gardai have to confront someone carrying such a weapon? A Garda only has a split second to make up his mind."
Mr Rabbitte said he had heard of roports that known criminals were at admiring the TOYS at the Rds event.
Gardi in Finglas recently seized replica rifles and handguns that can be converted into live rounds.
The Irish News Of The World tried to contact MIA on Friday and yesterday for comment but we were unsuccessful.

SniperSight

Wow, I mean seriously, wow.:eek:
I knew it would be uninformed and utter garbage, but I may have underestimated the crap being spouted.

o1s1n

~Marky~ wrote: »

The Irish News Of The World tried to contact MIA on Friday and yesterday for comment but we were unsuccessful.

I'm sure they did :rolleyes:

What a load of sensationalist ignorant tripe.

thehomeofDob

~Marky~ wrote: »

The Irish News Of The World tried to contact MIA on Friday and yesterday for comment but we were unsuccessful.

I've never been unable to contact MIA... this is rubbish.

kdouglas

My apologies, that hour seems to have turned into several, anyway, here's the full scan of the article:



and also the "Our View" piece from page 6

thehomeofDob

"Potential to maim" ha ha ha ha ha ha

Nice pic of the Hi Capa, and MIA's shop (there's actually stock on the walls )

ED E

Results of this:
1. Nobody give a damn what they say.
2. MIA gets more business:D

gandalf

I love the term "Security Experts" , ie my mate in the pub. "Garda Source" as in my imaginary Garda friend.

Extremely lazy journalism. If I were the lads in MIA I would go after this Jimmy Cunningham guy to ask for proof he tried to ring or email them. The fact he also then goes onto say replica firearms that can be converted to live rounds is implying that MIA are importing goods that can be converted as well. I think at the very least a retraction is owed by the so called "Oirish" News of the World.

I also suggest if there are people here who actually purchase this rag that they now stop.

Hivemind187

gandalf wrote: »

I love the term "Security Experts" , ie my mate in the pub. "Garda Source" as in my imaginary Garda friend.

Extremely lazy journalism. If I were the lads in MIA I would go after this Jimmy Cunningham guy to ask for proof he tried to ring or email them. The fact he also then goes onto say replica firearms that can be converted to live rounds is implying that MIA are importing goods that can be converted as well. I think at the very least a retraction is owed by the so called "Oirish" News of the World.

I also suggest if there are people here who actually purchase this rag that they now stop.

Keith is currently scrubbing himelf with battery acid and domestos to try and get over the trauma of buying a copy.

Gatling

~Marky~ wrote: »

Gardi in Finglas recently seized replica rifles and handguns that can be converted into live rounds.
T.

WTF who gives them this crap ,man now in peeded off damn british rags ,
yesterday was a perfect example of of Airsoft at its best at HRTA ,
well if these so called journos would bother getting up off there arses and come and meets some of us ,and see what our sport is about,

SniperSight

Gatling wrote: »

WTF who gives them this crap ,man now in peeded off damn british rags ,
yesterday was a perfect example of of Airsoft at its best at HRTA ,
well if these so called journos would bother getting up off there arses and come and meets some of us ,and see what our sport is about,

What are you talking about, you mean you want them to actually do their job, PROPERLY. I think you may be asking alot there!!!:mad:

Miscreant

Hi All,

Didn't think I should start a new thread on this (unless someone tells me different) and I am not trying to hijack this one but I spotted this in the Tallaght Echo today (see attachment). It is talking about the shop in the Square in Tallaght selling Airsoft devices.

On another note, I think the article in the News of the World is particilarly worrying as it does have a wide audience and they are most likely to be the ones who will scream "Please think of the children" or "Good Grief, there is going to be a crime wave with these things unless we ban them". It only takes one politician to take this on and run with it to catapult it into the TV news and then it will be much more difficult to counter. I think the IAA need to contact Pat Rabbitte and educate him on the sport. The suggestions of an open event for the media are great, perhaps they could all come to a skirmish and watch the safety briefings beforehand and also take part. This would put a positive spin on the sport and limit some of the damage being done by "Sensationalist" news.

ED E

More accurate tbh but still WRONG!

But they have a point bout children getting their hands on them.

Gatling

there is nothing wrong with the echo article read what it says .it basicly a garda saying parents shouldnt be giving them to kids as presents,as they can be dangerous,
letal yet again

Miscreant

Gatling wrote: »

there is nothing wrong with the echo article read what it says .it basicly a garda saying parents shouldnt be giving them to kids as presents,as they can be dangerous.

Exactly. There is nothing wrong with the article. It is actually quite balanced except for calling Airsofts pellet guns. There will still be parents buying these devices for their kids though over christmas.

gandalf

Again it might be idea for a call to be put into that journalist so she can do a follow up on the sport side of airsoft.

But I do agree with the sentiment that airsoft devices should not be giving to children as presents unless they are over the age of 14 and the parent is going to take them to skirmish site to use them.

SniperSight

Perhaps it is the stupid parents who buy them for their kids that should be punished, not airsofters. I swear its the same as videogames.... A parent will buy GTA (which is clearly marked 18's) for their kid, then complain and cause uproar when they discover its contents or when their son goes on a killing, hijacking, swearing spree(funnily enough that doesnt happen too often despite the amount of people apparently influenced by games!).

Anyways, these guns are marked for over 18's and there are signs in store regarding sale to over 18s only. What else can the manufacturer and seller do. Why is it that the hand of these people need holding for everything.

If a parent does buy a Steyr AUG Full Auto AEG and they end up getting shot in the face:eek: come Christmas morning, well then thats what they deserve for being so stupid in the first place. THEY should be punished, not US!!

Anyways Rant over.