Umm... has anybody seen this article?

Miscreant

Can anyone tell me what "tagging system" is being referred to in this article for airsoft gear? I'm not surprised stuff is being stopped by customs but was surprised by the claim that stuff is being tagged.
Here is the paragraph and the link to the whole article is below:

"The most expensive seizure was 61 weapons used by fans of the war games phenomenon — billed as the reality of war without the danger. The replica guns included 48 rifles and a dozen revolvers from Hong Kong valued at €6,000 with the Airsoft make. The guns are not illegal in Ireland but agents selling weapons have enforced a tagging system supported by Government to monitor the replica guns used."


http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/1225/breaking6.html

thermo

The tagging system refers to the mini GPS transponders fitted to your airsoft devices in the retailers. But for a small fee I can remove them if you send me your aeg's

NakedDex

The worst part is that they're charged by a small generator linked to the gearbox, like a dynamo on a bike, and it slows it down, so you lose cycle speed. It also pulses every time you fire, so the control tower knows exactly where you are when you pull the trigger.
The Magpul ones have arc reactors instead, and come in three colours.

mafo

And then the marmot wraps the GPS tags in tinfoil

TheDoc

For anyone that doesn't understand sarcasm, there is no such thing as Tagging an airsoft device, and it is most definitely not government supported.

And if a retailer was tagging ****, considering its not public knowledge, I'd be back for my refund ASAP and that shop wouldn't get anymore of my business

Southern Dandy

Should move this to the "Conspiracy theory" forum.

Miscreant

TheDoc wrote: »

For anyone that doesn't understand sarcasm, there is no such thing as Tagging an airsoft device, and it is most definitely not government supported.

I figured it was a pile of rubbish. Nice bit of scare journalism though considering the paper is not a tabloid. I will sleep soundly knowing that the Black Helicopters won't be tracking my every move. :P

OzCam

It's possible that the Irish Times are referring to the tamper-evident seal with a serial number that MIA put on the gearbox of every gun they sell.

But no matter what the Irish Times says, airsoft guns are still not weapons.

TheDoc

Miscreant wrote: »

I figured it was a pile of rubbish. Nice bit of scare journalism though considering the paper is not a tabloid. I will sleep soundly knowing that the Black Helicopters won't be tracking my every move. :P

O no I ment sarcasm by the first few posters here

Its easy for us to assume everyone should know, but obviously if its reported by a pretty large paper then most people will take is as gospel.

Unfortunately.

flynn353

I think the star newspaper had the same paragraph nearly word for word the same day. The amount of errors in the full article made me think that proof-reading doesn't exist anymore.

Paul

fayer

The IAA Committee expects more from the Irish Times, the IAA has met with reporters from that paper in person and over the phone many times and after listening to the sports side of the story has resisted negative tabloid sensationalist headlines in the past.

As they state themselves

"It's a slow news day, so we're reduced to this: US rapper Kanye West announced at a concert last night that he and his girlfriend Kim Kardashian are expecting their first child."

So I am putting this down to desperation on the part of the editors for content, and not a tabloid style campaign like we have seen in the past from other publications.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/1231/breaking9.html

The article is a general statement on customs activities in the whole, with a focus of dangerous items. From an initial read, they are cross connecting 2 topics, illegal importation of firearms and Airsoft which are completely unrelated and a shameful attempt at grabbing headlines or a demonstration of ignorance of the facts. Technically a hot Airsoft device is an illegal firearm, but the cross connection with real AK-47's etc is irresponsible in respect of a small sport, and the reaction this can evoke towards our sporting devices.

The IAA will be reaching out to the online editor for a discussion on this article and expressing our disappointment that no attempt was made to contact the IAA for comment or fact checking on this topic. Device tagging is not supported by the Government or the retail community as a whole.

Publications must be held to a high editorial standard when commenting on our sport, the IAA will continue to do this.

Steve Fay
IAA Chairman

defenderdude

Awesome work as always Steve.
Thank you.

Steve

If you read this thread in the voice of Sheldon Cooper, it's actually quite amusing..

Or that may be because I may have consumed more Christmas spirit than I should have - in which case, I apologise...

NakedDex

In defence of the rules!