Line Blurs Between Play, Gunplay

In the Washington suburbs, children as young as 9 or 10 chase each other armed with airsoft guns, some imitating such popular video games as Halo and Call of Duty. Play dates can bring together boys and their replicas of M4s, Glock 19s and AK-47s. A few inexpensive models are a more toylike clear plastic. Some families are watchful about the guns, keeping them under lock and key and insisting on supervision.

"I would much rather see my son acting out video games -- running, building bunkers, being active -- than sitting inside and playing them," said one Fairfax County mother, who did not want to be named because she said the issue was too sensitive. "It used to be cops and robbers." Now there are video games with guns -- and airsoft.

Airsoft guns are required by federal law to bear bright orange markings so they do not look real, but the markings are often painted over or removed.

John Mirarchi, director of operations at airsoft importer JAG Precision in California, said the guns are designed for adults. Asked about confrontations between children and police, he said parents must take responsibility.

"Airsoft guns in most states are not regulated as toys," he added. "They are regulated as replica firearms because they are BB guns." Mirarchi said the company supports efforts for stronger laws against having the guns in public places. "We always tell people, 'Treat it like the real thing.' "

As for their realism, he said: "That's what the market drives. These aren't built for 14-year-old kids." Adults, he said, are interested in action pursuit games, and guns similar to those they see in "cool action movies."

Many serious airsoft enthusiasts play the game in designated airsoft fields or arenas, with set rules and required safety gear, similar to those used in paintball.

"Airsoft is becoming huge, but there's no place to play," said Jong Cha, who last month opened Tactical Airsoft Arena in Rockville, where players stalk around an indoor urban warfare setting.

The replicas, he said, are so accurate in dimension and weight that they fit in holsters made for real weapons. Police and military officers use airsoft for practice.

Tony Lee, 24, a dedicated airsoft player who said he would shoot only at designated sites such as Cha's, says they are safe and well run and entirely different from the "outlaw ball" played in back yards. "Outlaw ball is very dangerous," he said.

In Virginia, the Potowmack school incident prompted the Loudoun sheriff's office to issue a public warning about the danger of "giving airsoft BB guns to children."

Looking back, Loudoun schools spokesman Wayde Byard said, "the message to parents is you're playing with fire when you buy these." No police officer wants to take the chance "to see if a pellet comes out or a 9 millimeter bullet."