We should BAN guns regardless of whether they're real or not. This has nothing to do with personal preferences and rights. There will be no personal preference or rights once someone is hurt because of a gun.

If you people want to practice target shooting then that's why we have video games.

Once again it comes down to the people abusing our rights as Canadians. I love shooting BB guns at our cottage, in my basement, its a great way to get kids involved in target shooting, but seriously, these criminals are trying to rob armoured vehicles!!? Unbelievable!

Age requirements might be the best option but I would not trust some sleazy politician to make a decision on something he or she has no idea about, but I guess thats always the case.

I understand from a danger point of view, the problems of fake guns on the streets as far as Police Officers being able to differenciate whats real and not real when its being pointed at you...their instincts say "Green Light"...as in shoot to kill.

No cop I know would like to go home to their wife and kids having to explain to them or their superiors why they killed an alleged assailant with a fake Sig/Sauer or Glock when some stupid kid pointed it at them.

I`ve been shooting the real thing since I was Six Years Old...Handguns(first), rifles and shotguns...I know from personal knowledge how dangerous Real Firearms can be from a close perspective.

"Safety,Safety and Safety" have always been the cardinal rules in regard to the use, caring and handling of firearms since I was a kid... I honestly don`t see this newer generation getting the same in general

video games, are you nuts, i'm sorry but i'm a target shooter, im a member to a gun club, and a pratical shooting club,and a hunter,and in the 50 years that my club has been around there has not been one person shot there, why do i have to give up my way of life becouse some criminal ruins it for the rest of us, 2 million registerd gun owners in canada and you want to ban guns and make them bad ppl. you go play your video games that shoot other ppl, while i go put holes in paper, lets see whats more acceptable. shallow thinking that is, shallow.. i had to go thru criminal check to get my firearms licence. think of it this way, criminal's dont register guns.

The one issue with this is when there are kids misusing these recreation bb guns or what not, is it show some serious lack of proper parenting. If a parent lets their kid go down the street with a pellet gun, the parents have to have some serious accountability. I worked as a security officer and had a kid show me his bb gun and pointed it at me and said he wished it was a real gun because he wanted to be a gangsta. I told him that he can get shot by police just because it looks real.He said that his parents dont care what he does. And he dresses like a rapper/gang banger, So if parents, are not up on what young teens are doing and their main influence is violent video games like grand theft auto where you are rewarded for the violent act that you do in the game, and parents let a kid play this and give him a pellet gun, I'm sure he/she would mimic what he seen in the game etc

Great story!

More attention should be paid to this issue and the “fake” guns should be strictly regulated. These firearms present a clear danger to many aspects of Canadian society from those who buy them and use them incorrectly to those who protect us on the streets everyday. In my opinion the problem with the regulation of these devices is the inconstancies in the legislation and the complexity of its wording. The legislation has people trying to figure out if the device should be classified as a firearm, replica firearm, etc because depending on the classification of the device depends on its legal standing. The laws should be simplified and clear to those who read them. In my opinion air soft guns, bb guns, and toy guns that are made to look like real guns regardless of colour or material made of should be illegal to own, use, possess or import into Canada.

It seems to me that the CBC is trying to make an issue out of nothing. Or rather as all proper liberals seem to do lately, focusing on objects, rather than the criminals.

The idea that Canadian law is helpless against these devices is patently untrue to anyone who has actually studied the Criminal Code. There are plenty of offences to punish the irresponsible use of fake guns.

Since only a minority of people acquire these fake guns for criminal purposes, would it not make it more sense to punish the criminal rather than the responsible users? Why do people talk about banning the tool of a crime instead of doing something about the criminals?

And considering the illegal flow of REAL guns from the United States, this fuss over fake guns is putting the cart before the horse. Can we spend a little more time on fixing our society, instead of banning everything remotely scary looking out of fear? There are real problems that need both media and government attention.

I would really like Marketplace to visit The San Francisco stores, I went into the Northgate centre mall located in Edmonton.although i know they are everywhere in BC as well They had so many "fake" guns but to me they looked so real it was disturbing, the store fronts have inexpensive toys to attract kids but once in the store the fake guns, knives, swords, and drug smoking accessories I was shocked and disappointed that the police and goverment are trying to take these things off the streets yet people selling these things just want to make a quick penny, the sales girl seemed young and not so knowledgable when i asked her about these items in the store. pls pls investigate.

Re: Fake/Real guns?:
-This report seemed a wee bit sensationalized. These replica weapons have been around since I was a child in the 1970's. Why then all the urgency for action? Passing laws to restrict such replicas, in an effort to thwart criminals using them, may really be nothing but an illusion of safety. As with real weapons, it is not as if criminals take the "proper" routes to obtain their guns, be they "real" or "fake". So, in restricting such legal toys {which would be very easy to obtain across the border anyway}, you would really just be restricting lawful citizens from having them. Yes, replicas can be harmful when used incorrectly but so can steak knives. We can erect whatever law tables we want, but they do not protect us if they have little actual efficacy. Hmm, why is it that people who purport to be 'liberals' always seem so eager to enforce prohibitions?

Simple answer.

You include education about firearms in the raising and educating of children. Starting with toys and work up.

Not fear-mongering hype, but factual and practical education.

Teach them to respect them and that will dispell the myths about firearms. The mystique of the "taboo" and "forbidden" will disappear.

Kids who have an education about firearms are less likely to do stupid things like point them at policemen.

Caught your story tonight. I've played paintball which eventually lead to airsoft.

Many reasons to move from one to the other. Mine had to do with the difference of play ideologies between having hundreds of paint pellets at one's disposal to essentially "spray" without regard vs knowing that one has a limited supply of plastic pellets and playing by honour. A matter of sportsmanship.

I also agree that there should be tight regulation over the sale of airsoft or BB guns, age limits and licensing. If a youth wants to take part in the sport or use a BB gun, there needs to be an adult/guardian present.

Kudos and thanks for not vilifying us.

As an avid airsofter, I completely agree with Brian's comments regarding regulating handguns. Airsofting is a sport and a hobby as fun as any other sport, although its inherent aspects render it as something that does require further and clearer laws.

In the airsofting community, it's rare to allow anyone under the age of 18 the privilege to play, and it's short-sighted to suggest banning ALL airsoft, bb or toy guns when really, the concern with these is making sure they stay out of the hands of kids. Lawmakers should listen to people who work and play with both real and imitation guns, not those who have kneejerk reactions to the oh-so-scary.

I'd like to present a unique perspective here, I have had a firearms aquisition licence since I was 16, I was an army cadet at 12, fired my first assault rifle with the cadets at 13, owned a pellet rifle at 15, joined the infantry reserves at 17, spent copious amounts of money on paintball equipment and became a police officer by 25 (in the GTA) 10 years on. There is no need to have these airsoft and or pellet guns to look like the real thing. It's not a constitutional right to possess a realistic fake. Requiring a licence to purchase a real/fake will do nothing to curb violence period. Involving the government in this would be a huge waste of money (see transfer from F.A.C. to P.A.L.)Protest stores from selling real/fakes, make it not profitable for them, that is your right. Hunters and sport shooters most of all.

I am getting tired of you people (CBC) referring to pellet guns as "fake guns".

Just so that you know, there are "real" guns (.22 cal....38cal....45 cal and so on)....they shoot real bullets and can kill you depending on where the bullet hits you.

Then, there are "pellet" guns....the projectile is shot using air as a propellant. Getting hit wilth a pellet gun can be painful, but usually not fatal (getting shot in the head at extremly close might kill you...but if you are out to kill someone, you would not chose a pellet gun.

Then you have "replica guns"...they look like real guns, but the do not shoot any projectiles.

I'm part of a very large group of adults who play air soft. There are rules! Safty first. You must be age verified to be part of the play. As a part of these clubs we would like to keep them out of the public eye. They look real and when it comes to the police I know if I pull out my replica gun they'll shot and kill me! I would to. However there has been a very tight self policing within our clubs. As for a kid on the street, Parints are where?

That 16 year old didn't buy that gun in B.C or manitoba. 18 with ID to buy them.

Balanced piece even though our dear reporter forgot gun safety: looking into the barrel of a projectile launcher and not wearing protective glasses is a big No.

I personally played Paintball and later switched to Airsoft at 18 for better quality of play (no paint stains, cost effective and better grouping). I now own Airsoft replicas which I lock as real weapons, for safety and out of respect for their meaning. I travel with them in accordance with federal laws until I reach my field of recreation. You'll have to forgive me, but I believe that we have motive to legislate for more effective gun laws and not a panicking fiasco of out right banning. I prefer to do team sports, instead of playing soldier in an army were my friends could end up killed. I prefer playing a game of honour instead of mindlessly killing characters in a video game. We have a duty to be reasonable.

With "Jackie Chan"s theory we should also ban sex! Because some people get pregnant! Oh, Maybe we should ban RC planes that look like fighter jets cause they might be mistaken for a high flying terrorist! Oh the possibilities are endless! We could take all the fun out of the world completely.

Require a license and problem solved. Us serious guys still get to play dress up without any little kids shooting their eyes out or getting there heads blown off by a cop.

Since these incidents are very, *very* much in the minority, don't you think we should be focusing on the criminals and firearms education instead of banning the object?

Besides, making something to look like a gun can be done in a few minutes with a block of wood and a can of black spraypaint. Should we ban black paint as well, since it could be used to make look-alikes? What about black shoe polish? Where does it stop? How about punishing the tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of people who harmlessly own these things, we allow the victim to defend themselves? Or educate the citizenry and the police on firearms? Or, here's a radical thought, we stop blowing a total non-issue out of proportion?

Very good story, but very certainly taking a predisposed bias of toy guns= bad. I have played airsoft for 4 years and those I have met are all very responsible and mature individuals. We alert local police before any game, and treat our toy airsoft guns as if they are real. (None of the club members would turn the gun to look down the barrel after shooting!! And where were her goggles?)
We know these have no place on the street, and would never take the risk of brandishing in public. But it is very frustrating that--like anything else--improper use by a few can destroy a great thing for everyone else. I would support a minimum age to posess as well as maximum energy level. But to classify a toy that shoots plastic BBs that in some cases do not penetrate cardboard as the same as a real-steel firearm...well perhaps there are bigger issues to solve in our country first.

Interesting story, but I can go down to the local dollar store and buy a gun that will from a distance get my shot by the cops. It doesn't matter if the gun is fake or real, if the cop believes his life is threatend he should have the right to defend himself. If the kid has a fake gun, its the kids bloody fault. I agree that you should be 18 Years of age, and well thats the Belief of the Airsoft Community in Canada.

If someone is going to rob a place, they will find a way, be it a real or fake Gun, or real or fake Knife. Baseball bat, or any thing else that can be used as a weapon.

The problem isnt that these Fake guns are in Canada, the problem is that they are a little to easy to purchase at Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart.

The most disturbing comment was from the Constable who was worried he would "shoot someone because they had a toy in their pocket". This statement clearly implies that he might shoot someone because they might have a gun in their pocket, i.e. with no provocation. Should people who think like that be carrying loaded guns? Whether it looks like a gun or not isn't important. If someone brandishes anything that looks like a weapon during the commitment of an offense then they can expect to suffer the consequences. However, it must be pointed in an aggressive manner, not left in their pocket, before the police respond with lethal force.

This 'fluff piece' was too concerned with cosmetics, and failed to emphasize personal responsibility. Use my tax dollars for the sort of investigative journalism I've come to expect from Marketplace, not on facile sensationalist propaganda.

The officer with the opp should have done a better job with the proper gun safety instructions to the reporter.I noticed that when he let her shoot the soft air pistol.after her first shot she pointed the gun towards her face to look at the barrel while still holding it like she could pull the trigger.you should never do this with a loaded or unloaded gun.

Good report- I agree that airsoft guns should be 18+ and would gladly register/licence mine. But considering the government couldnt run a real gun registry I doubt they'll do one for airguns.

And as for the people who would ban them all outright- since when did we punish good people because a few bad people misuse something? Whats next banning baseball bats because gangs use them to thump people? Common sense is what is needed- not blind panic and prohibitions.

Children should not have free access to airsoft guns, in my opinion. However, under their parents supervision and control, these guns may well be useful to teach children safe gun handling and shooting skills. Yes, controls are needed here, but the positive educational side should have been pointed out in this story for journalistic balance.

Guns, any guns, airsoft, pellet, small and large calibre guns, machine guns and cannons are already the same under the law if used in a crime. And they are the same, if used with intent to injure, any can be used to do it. That is why they all should look like real guns. Imagine a gun made to look like a fountain pen or a lollipop - there would be no visual warning that a gun is being pointed.

"We should BAN guns regardless of whether they're real or not. This has nothing to do with personal preferences and rights. There will be no personal preference or rights once someone is hurt because of a gun.
If you people want to practice target shooting then that's why we have video games."

Are you serious? what are you 13? did you not see the host using it and saying it's fun herself using your thumbs/a keyboard and mouse is much different than handling a real firearm and using your physical being to pull the trigger and shoot your firearm at a target or varmint/game if you're hunting (real steel,or airgun/airsoft depending on application). Just to let you know jackiechan.

I definitely agree with Brians views though good piece. Also, any toy or replica gun should not be brandished in public or pointed at a person that's asking for trouble.

As an avid airsoft player for over 3 years now.

I love going to TTAC and playing, and many of the other places to play airsoft with many of my friends.
If only the government would regulate and make a license for airsoft, we would be so much better off but we have so many young dumb kids buying cheap look alikes, it makes us look very bad when in truth, nobody knows the exact truth on airsoft.

I pitty all those who wish to ban something they know nothing about, and how others enjoy it so much and must pay for their idiocy.

Ban guns, I think we should have cars that do the max legal speed on the road as well, why do we need cars that go over 100 kph?

Ban speeding!

If cars max out at 100 kph, think of all the lives that will save.
Also alcohol should be banned, do you know how many times people fall victim to a drunk driver or a criminal act?
BAN Alcohol.

I don't own guns and I don't require one, but the one thing that gets me going is when someone doesn't see the problem and goes for the knee jerk reaction.

The street test involving the 16 year old named Gus was incrediably ill thought out. At one point he was pointing the BB gun into the general direction of traffic. The packaging clearly states it should not be used in public. CBC encouraged the boy to pull out a fake gun at night.

they sure look and feel real,police should know who owns one ,name and address just in case they ,cops r called by someone who thinks its a real gun. how about jackets or arm bands indicating your useing an air gun .ive been target shooting for ten years safely and enjoy it.

Banning is not the way to get around this. Most Airsofters, myself included also have real firearms. I treat them all the same. Locked up, away from ammo, etc. In the United Kingdom, they have a way around their gun laws and that is through a database of licensed individuals for the purpose of skirmishing. This allows them to have the airsoft weapons and legally buy them. 18+ and responsible individuals. We contact the local police before we go out and if a police officer does wander into where we are we drop our weapons right where we are and come greet them. We even have police officers and military who come out with us. I am retired military as well.

DaveB @ 11:37

You did not fire an "assault rifle".

You fired a "battle rifle".

Which for readers benefit. IS NOT commonly available to civilian firearms owners.

The rifle issued is for military and police use. The civilian model, while appears to be the same; functions completely different because of intentional internal design.

Fake guns or not, you have to ask the questions:

- who are buying these guns?

- why are they being used?

Also, if I were to find myself in a hostile, violent situation & someone was threatening me with a gun (fake or real), my emotions and adrenaline would not allow me to stop and ask, "hmmmm, I wonder if that is real or fake", I would feel threatened scared and violated.

Our society is really messed up, with so much variety and opportunity to entertain and challenge ourselves with such a rich variety of target sports, why does our society complicate our sense of security and safety by having encouraging "war games" as sport? There is something that just doesn't make sense. Sure it can be fun & harmless but really, when you get into the game it's about the points you accrue when you "kill" someone. What parts of the brain & emotions are stimulated in this type of "gaming"?

To me, lack of proper education is one of the biggest problems in terms of the gun issue. My parents were target shooters and as a child I was taught proper firearm safety and a basic understanding of Canada's laws in regards to firearms. I agree with Charles; we should educate the public to reduce the mystique of firearms. Banning something does not magically solve the problem and make it disappear.

Well I am certain that our intrepid reporter is glad that she was shooting a "fake gun" while shooting with the Port Perry Police officer.

If she has used the grip she used with a REAL gun would have played havoc with her right thumb.

Of course that is more indication that she has no real life experience with firearms. That can easily be recified with a trip to the local range for some one on one training.
Of course there is a risk that she would be educated about firearms and thus lose the "FEAR FACTOR" that plays so well for the camera.

But it is a risk that I hope she is willing to take.......

The invitation is open!

Nice to see the differences between pellet airguns and airSOFT guns documented.

I myself have often wondered at why pellet airguns are so easy to buy, yet Airsoft varieties which are so much safer to use, be the target of so much legislation.

Indeed the only Airsoft available thru major chains is clearly a toy due to clear plastic parts and may sting on impact with its ammo to exposed skin (self test), higher power all black/metal airguns which are CHEAPER and fire metal ammo which is guaranteed to penetrate exposed skin is available EVERYWHERE!

One obviously has safety in mind, and is made almost impossible to acquire and the other is ignored!

p.s in your comparison you have a category for power but you list instead the speed of the ammo....please update this to include the mass of the ammo. THEN you know the power of the weapon.

dear marketplace, once again the concept of banning or liscencing has come up. the solution in canada seems to be to ban items when even 1 incident occurs that impacts on the public's perceived safety.I wonder where this will stop as i no longer feel i live in a free and democratic society. One incident and i must pay the price for irresponsible actions by others.If you track the regulation and banning of items over the years you will see that they have virtually no impact on crime. Criminals or those that will abuse a right do not respond to liscencing or bans.The guns used in crimes are seldom registered and the banning of bb guns or pellet guns will once again only impact those who choose to engage in this sport and act responsibly. i am 62 and i have watched the personal freedoms erroded yearly by individuals and govt. that wants to treat free citizens like children.

We need tougher laws for criminals that commit gun crimes or any weapons crimes. If a gun "looks" real and a crime is committed with it then it should be treated as if it were a real gun. Be tougher on criminals and enforce the existing laws or tighten then up. Don't ban more guns or make more laws. Leave the people alone that are legal and responsible gun owners that aren't the ones committing the crimes.

I used to like Market place but this episode changed my mind.I find it hard to believe there are not more pressing issues that could be addressed.I found your programs attitude with the bb guns somewhat alarming referring to them as toys, when they are not and the program basically perpetuated that myth and lousy attitude. like anything else they come with a degree of responsibility, where we come to the most important part Parents are the more important component here than the state. Parenting teaches respect for the law not the state,unless the the Aim of your program was to promote a less responsible citizenry coddled by the state, your program failed there. and the issue of Criminals using them .....Natural selection maybe Criminals don't need to be coddled as much as citizens.

I totaly agree with M. MCkee, airsoft and pellet guns should be regulated a lot more. I am almost 18 and I can say that the canadien airsoft communtiy has a very well made purchesing systeme. All indeviduals who want to buy airsoft replicas have to be "aged-verefied" wich is done in a face-to-face meeting. And I am sure that if players are willing to have a face-to-face meeting they would not mind filling up a form for a permit.

I wish you guys had cracked open the EPFX to see what was inside. Probably nothing more than used gum, some springs, and maybe a button lol.

If laws that are currently in place were followed we wouldn't have this problem. People that are caught using replica's in some sort of criminal act should be charged as if they were real firearms.

How-ever you will find that most owner's do not use replica's in that fashion, we are law abiding citizens. We treat them as if they are real firearms. The story failed to mention that there are many clubs / groups nation wide who safely use replica's compared to the handful who abuse the privilege.

Once again the CBC, like a lot of left leaning media, seem to feel that inanimate objects somehow cause crime. These guns are classified in the Criminal Code as non-regulated Firearms. They are firearms because they fire a projectile that can cause bodily harm (they'll damage an eye) but they are unregulated because their muzzle velocity is less than the prescribed 500 feet per second. If you use one of these in a crime (like an armed robbery or pointing them at ANYONE, not just a law enforcement officer), they are treated like a firearm and you should be charged.

If you are stupid enough to point one at someone who is actually prepared to defend their own life, law enforcement officer or any civilian, and you get shot or injured or killed while that person is defending themselves, then you truly deserve every thing that happens to you. In short, it's your fault.

It isn't the gun's fault

Hi.I just watched your report on the fake guns and agree there is a problem . I must say the air soft clubs are not the problem , we take extreme precautions when we have are air soft guns out, we keep them in cases and disable them in transport. in our eye these are not toys. many of us have several thousands of dollars invested in our equipment and will not take them out in public so please don't think we are the cause of the problem . Ps. the air soft guns sold in can tire and wallmart are clear and the next question is.If u have to be 18 to buy then whos buying them for the kids.That must be looked at to .A Manitoba air soft member.

Fake Guns -

You could fashion a fake gun out of wood. You could spray a cap gun black. America is next door, Airsoft Replicas are sold everywhere. Airsoft Replicas are banned in Canada, BB, Pellet Guns are not.

I'm 57, BB and pellet Guns have been made to look real since I was 10 years old.

I hear "School", that's another problem that needs to be addressed.

Crime and Guns are here to stay, why - Our society is dissolving away because there is a widening gap between Rich & Poor.

Another thing the police forces of Canada are misusing their authority and CBC won't run a show looking at that.

Fake or real, people who use guns to commit real offenses should be subject to real consequences. Any law enforcer doesn't have even a split-second to waste just to determine if a perpetrator is using a real or fake gun, especially if the latter is pointing it at him or a victim. Second-guessing could mean the difference between life and death. Perpetrators who use fake guns want their victims to believe they're real so they can succeed in their crimes. Thus if they're caught, the consequence should be as if they've used real guns, since that's how they want us to treat them anyway. One reason criminals use fake guns is that if they get caught, they know they can get away with minimal punishment, if none at all. If they cannot be banned, then at least fake or toy guns should only be allowed to be kept and used in private. Othewise they should entail the same consequences as for real ones

Instead of banning this guns, why not make it the law all "fake guns" in Canada must have visible identifying feature on them. My suggestion would be a fluorescent tip and handle. You would get the feel and thrill and the police and public would now the gun is fake. This would be cheap and less costly than licensing people would.

Interesting article, even though there were times where the reporter seemed to put words in the interviewee's mouth.
I am an Airsofter in London,England. I would suggest that the reporter had a look at OUR current crime statistics- after a typical knee jerk reaction to a terrible shooting tragedy in the 80's, a blanket ban on handguns was introduced. Guns have never been so easy to get. By ANYBODY! That shootings are steadily increasing year on year and have never been so bad is testament to that.
Airsoft is regulated very successfully here in the UK, and so many of us know that it is in fact, amongst so many other positive things, great for character building, team spirit and a sense of fair play.

I watched your broadcast on the sale and use of fake and replicate guns. Althogh I am sickened by the response you had received from our present law makers, so called elected officials; I am pleased that least they're not wasting billions of our taxpayer dollars trying to add them to the useless gun registy, like the Liberals. It is so sad, when things have come down to this; when look-a-likes are being used in unsavory situations, without regard for anyones safety. Things have dramatically changed since I was young, we had a healthy respect for the law; now our children and grandchildren can't even play a innocent game of cops and robbers, without placing their lives in jeopardy - thanks to the Liberals and their soft on criminal policies. Our judicial system has become as useless and as ineffective as our Senate, making our judges the second hardest unelected body to get rid of.

Sure, ban realistic BB guns. Then what will criminals use? Knives, or potentially real guns (if BB guns become just as illegal why not go for the real thing?). Knives and real guns are several orders of magnitude more dangerous. If the robbery had used a knife to threaten that shopkeeper, someone would have been badly hurt or killed.

Realistic BB guns are only a danger to someone foolish enough to point them at the police. Solution: teach your snot-nosed children not to point anything at police that could even remotely be mistaken for a weapon.

This piece really sheds more light on modern day fear-mongering, paranoia, short-sighted ignorance, and the erosion of freedom that will necessarily follow. Next week let's have an episode called "The Trouble with Fake Journalism".

cAwareness is always a good thihng however the issues tend to be blown far out of proportion than what is truly necessary. People are going to make very poor decesions regardless of whatever tool they have in their hand, whether it be a replica or the "real deal" this applies to knives, baseball bats, golf clubs or whatever is picked up to be used as a potential weapon.

Bans and prohibiting items only hurts the honest and responsible end user, criminals will still get access to weapons underground.

I feel that its high time to stop punishing the majoity of folks for the actions of a very very small minority of irresponsible individuals

Canada should follow the system set up in the U.K. All Airsoft purchases are put on a database. Whenever the owner sells his weapon to someone else, the information of who bought it is then put in the database by the seller. Most weapons are accounted for and because of that, the owners MUST take responsibility of insuring the weapons are used/displayed/stored in a safe manner.

Airsoft is the next big thing in Canada. If the proper laws were set in place, the sport of Airsoft could make a few people very wealthy.

Good show but I think there needs to be a 1 hour special on the sport to educate more people.

This is in response to NWeicker's comment about airsoft being about deriving entertainment from collecting kill counts.

When someone practices fencing or kendo, is he thinking about stabbing or cutting his or her opponent to death? When people spar in martial arts, are they thinking about beating each other to death?

If you think that consenting, responsible people cannot point fake guns at each other without being convinced is it about killing the other individual, that speaks to your extremely cynical state of mind and limited imagination, not ours. Do not frame our preferred activity or us as malicious and violent simply because you cannot differentiate between pretend fighting and the actual intent to kill.

Airsoft is entirely based on the honour system. People call themselves out when hit. By NWeicker's non-differentiation between pretend/real, are airsofters nihilistic, too?

How can you recommend playing video games? besides the already mentioned point that they include shooting fake people theres also the point that in no way is it challenging. on a video game you point at that guy 1000 meters away yank at the trigger poof hes gone. your auto sighted at any range also your perfectly still in any positions out to any range. I am a 10m target shooter who shoots in provincial and national competition, yes liberals we have those in Canada. I am currently 14 and go down the road with my pellet gun or .22 al the time...out in the middle of nowhere sk. I fully agree that in the city that should be illegal but out here I walk around with a rifle all day waving to people and they wave back with a smile, that includes RCMP officers. We go shooting gophers or rabbits, maybe some grackles, but we are safe and out there its normal so dont try and tread on others rights.

This is a stupid report. The 'sting' operation when the 16 year old bought the bb gun is insanly stupid to the point wehere I was laughing.

Hey man... go into that store and let me know how easy it is to buy something your allowed to buy.

Hey mom... go into the grocery store and buy some junk food for your kids, and let me know if the store owner tries to stop you.

We need EDUCATION not legislation. If these kids think its alright to flash a realistic looking toy around town, then its time we brought back spanking-so-it-hurts. Maybe a warning like that would make them think twice and they're dumb a--es wont get shot by the police.

LOL. Another example of the government trying to legislate common sense.

More legislation? No, more education. I resent firearms being represented as evil. There will always be irresponsble people out there. No more knee jerk policies please. I shoot at a target range with a lot of law abiding citizens. Safety is always number one. If kids are taught to respect and handle firearms safely at an early age then hopefuly they will become responsible adults. Anyone who is stupid enough to point a gun at a police officer whether fake or not may be shot. You never, ever point a gun at anyone whether it is fake or real. Video games with violence are more to be feared than firearms as they leave the impression with kids that killing is not a bad thing. They become immune to violence. The gun laws are strict enough and criminal don't care about laws.

How about we ban criminals? Why not tackle the real issue... the person who is using it to commit a crime.
These things have been around for ages (never owned one but saw them in the stores). Seems like more of a failed justice system then some toy we should be worried about.

As I said in the Show.. the simple answer is "ban it" but if we ban everything that could be abused or used for criminal acts we would not have Motor vehicles, bicyles, running shoes, bread knifes, forks ... or freedom of any kind.
Knives are used in crimes much more frequently than guns. No one is talking about forcing everyone onto a state supplied liquid diet to ensure criminals can't get knives.

Guns are a part of our culture, all peace is earned and maintained by the threat of lethal force.. usually from a gun. Every year on November 11 we venerate people who "Died for your freedom" Most of them died with a gun in their hand. What kind of a "free" society would deny its citizens reasonable access to the very items that preserve that freedom?

Hello, I am a airsoft player. i think that this presentation was really well done. its true. 50/50 if the gun can be real or not. However, not all airsofters are careless and want to play in the streets. Truth be told i blame the parents of the children (under the age of 18) who buy them the "toys" and don't supervise how and when they are using them. further more fail to monitor if they are doing it in a safe manner. I wish that there would be more attention on the sport and that CBC would have advised parents to seek local organizations to get there children involved in. The organization in which i belong to limits itself to 18+. however encourages that younger players join the discussion boards (forums) to ask questions to develop them into responsible players. We have a local indoor arena in which to play the sport in a safe and responsible manner.

I think that a more positive focus should be placed on this subject as the "toys" are meant to be used in part of a sport which is VERY popular in other countries. And not intended for use by billy and jimmy to carry to school or play around in a subway terminal or on the main st for example. Guns do not kill people, people kill people. An airsoft gun bb weighs .2g and travels between 200 and 350 FPS. which gives it a impact force of 0.37 and 1.14 joules. On average a projectile with the same mass of a airsoft bb would need approx 1.4 joules of kinetic energy to break skin. Should there be limitations on how easily accessible they are. I think so. I feel that there should be a body that governs the sport in each province so in order to obtain u must register and be 18+. and that SAFE use of the "toy" is stressed.

Well I was expecting a knee-jerking report and I got it.
However I still support and say we need the CBC the private broadcasters are abdicating local service. Where are the parents in all this? After all it is the neglected ones who become the vicious punks who join gangs out of a misguided need to 'belong'. Good parents and good kids who do become interested in firearms should be steered into one of the Cadet programs. I myself learned to use the FN C2[which could kick like a mule if not held right]the(Browning?)9mm pistol and as a special one-time treat the SMG that later became the basis for the Stormtrooper blaster in the 1977 Star Wars movie[movie versions had the shorty clip/w tracers,we had the full curved clips with soft lead rounds]against Figure 11 paper targets. However they also made us disassemble,clean and re-assemble each firearm making it a job. ......................

.....and I wanted to add there are other opportunities in the various Cadet branches...
Pilots' licences.....Scuba certification and technical...depending where you chose..Air...Army or Sea[Navy] Cadets, a kid could do worse.
I enjoyed it and it was at a time when "Military" was considered a dirty word to some.[Vietnam era]

slight correction....
my buddy corrected me...those were blanks in the SW movie, not tracers,used to cue the FX...I hope the moderator can cut and paste this into the other post, since they don't offer an 'edit' option here.

Some people have NO idea of the way the world works... Replica, Pellet OR Real guns are ALL dangerous! The police can remove all registered weapons and the crime rate wouldn't drop two percent! If someone took a carrot put it in their pocket and told you it was a gun would you push the chance of getting shot??? Any sane person would co-operate. The police have maybe a second to risk access and react accordingly. If you second guess .... BANG.. oops too late. Registered gun owners like myself have had to jump through hoops to legally own and operate our weapons.. Gangsters,Mobsters,Criminals (etc) do NOT register their weapons.If my child had a BB pistol in my house and "Tommy" down the road swiped it because he wants to be cool. Who's to Blame when he trys to rob a candy store with the stolen "gun"? This issue is less dangerous than drinking and driving ADULTS!!!!

Fully agree on the look a like problem. Highly disagree with fear tactics by Market Place and those who really have no clue, just fear. And that will lead to politicians making more ignorant rules for the masses. Market place could have portrayed other options and used their clout to offer solutions that dont feed the fear. Yes there is a problem thats very obvious. But please be constructive. We have a law not allowing the import of these but was there a strong focus on that. Was there a strong focus on the transparent kind that could also be part of the solution. Was there focus on the idiots who abuse air soft in all their variuous forms and at various stages of the look a likes getting into the country and in the hands of the wrong people. Fear was used inapropriately in this program when there could have been enhanced efforts to show the safe and fun side of airsoft.

As David puts it: There are laws for irresponsable use of fake guns. Someone who play airsoft will do everything in his power to make it safe (googles, gaming rules or even tell the cops about them playing with theses at this place). People worry about the fact of youngsters going around with fake. You misuse, you pay. That's it. He ran for it. Does it really matter a real or a fake during a robbery? I don't think so. Just the ACT of making a robbery is criminal.

Everything is in the use and purpose. That's all.

"... how Canadian laws are ineffective when it comes to cracking down on this problem."

What? Totally untrue. Completely false. Our laws have very tight and comprehensive coverage for replica and imitation firearms (which are NOT the same thing, read the Criminal Code one of these days instead of a web site).

I have also been exposed to the movie industry and armourers therein, and there is paperwork and limits on what you can and cannot do with even movie prop guns. A licenced armourer MUST be on set for any prop that fire blanks, as well.

This piece is really disappointing, CBC. Let's save the concern over firearms for criminals who abuse real ones. Our laws do in fact give us substantial power over those who abuse fake ones, contrary to these suggestions.

Banning guns is an excellent idea! Except...
Britain bans all guns but has a property crime rate 60% higher than the United States.
I live in a rural area where virtually every family has at least one gun; gun crime is so rare that it is statistically insignificant.
Almost all Swiss households have an assault rifle in them since most Swiss men are in the Army. Property crime - low.
Put an age limit on replica guns and have buyers obtain a license along the lines of a driver's license. That make sense.

Anything I can say can be said by this quote

" to ban guns because criminals use them is to tell the innocent and law-abiding that their rights and liberties depend not on their own conduct, but on the conduct of the guilty and the lawless, and that the law will permit them to have only such rights and liberties as the lawless will allow.... -- Jeff Snyder "

As for Marketplace... Shame!

You guys are supposed to be reporters... reporting facts... but you have turned into a subjective judgment reporting.

A few things to consider ... not that facts should ever get in the way of a good story! You cannot legally import replica airsoft guns into Canada. They are "prohibited devices" (www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/bulletins/businesses/archive/bulletin-19_e.asp). They must be clear or clear/black and approved by Canadian Customs prior to importation. These laws are already on the books, so perhaps more effort should be made to enforce existing laws as opposed to creating more and restrictive bureaucracy.

Secondly, the reporter inadvertently provides the best argument against her argument. By pointing the loaded BB gun toward her own face (amazing!), she unwittingly proves that the problem isn't with responsible gun (airgun, BB gun airsoft gun, real gun) owners. The problem is that far too many people have never been taught how to handle a firearm whether it is real or a replica.

Ignorance can be dangerous; let's hope it's not also contagious!
The central arguement in this 'story' is that we need tougher laws to control / ban items that could be misinterpreted as being lethal while someone is breaking the law. Heaven forbid little Jonny gets shot while he is robbing the local convenience store. I believe the central motivation here is to keep progressing the notion that all guns should be banned since a small minority misuse them. No wonder the people she spoke to on the street are afraid of guns... most of them know nothing about them. In fact I support the idea that those who don't know how to handle them shouldn't be allowed to run all over town with them. I feel the same way about small kids who are allowed to ride around town on their bikes unsupervised; is your next piece going to suggest tougher laws on bicycles? Should we ban them too? Wow!

dont forget the red tip or orange blaze tip auto fake

The red tip is an American law, it has absolutly no legal standing in Canada.

We don't need tougher gun laws. The Criminal Code of Canada already treats any crime committed with a fake gun as if it was committed with a real firearm. Legally there is NO difference. What we need is to punish the morons that misuse them to the full extent of the law. We also need to enforce not selling them to minors. Why that isn't already law (Ontario excluded) is beyond me. Punishing the over 30,000 people in this country who legitimetly use airguns and airsoft guns because of the actions of a few is just ludicrous.

This is complete crap. My dad and I have just finished going through the PAL process so that we can get into target shooting with actual handguns and rifles but both of us have been using bb guns since we were young kids. I had found an old air rifle in the basement and then eventually my dad bought me a bb pistol and I cannot believe the flagrant lies I am hearing in this video. How could they possibly say that these punks using them and getting caught are not being charged? It is ILLEGAL to brandish replica firearms in public. On top of that the velocities of these pistol are so low that it would only be dangerous if someone were to be hit in the face with. I happen to know this for a fact because I was accidentally hit with a bb from about 4 feet away and my sweater stopped it. I don't deny that these bb's look real and could be used in crimes but it is outrageus to demand a ban!

Airsoft has been around for a number of years here in canada, and all over the world. It is very popular in the states as well as in many other parts of the world.

People who commit crimes will use anything, knives, crow bars, bats, guns, fake guns, you name it, it has been used.
There is a large number of people who treat airsoft as a sport, a recreation, and follow the strick rules associated with the airsoft clubs here in Canada and around the world.

I do agree that anyone who commits a crime while using an airsoft, a bat, a knife, or any other real or fake weapon be delt with appropriatly by law inforcment. It is a life or death situation weather it is real, or if it might be fake.

Airsoft guns are not cheap!! There is an age requirment. They are NOT sold in Wallmart and Canadian tire Though real looking BB guns are. BB guns are not used in airsoft, only airsoft guns are.

I have an AK 47 and a Colt .45 (M1911) and I never did stupid things with them.
In all countries where airsoft is an international sport,all buyers must be 18 years old with an age verification.
I got mine before 18, but I used to be in Canadian Royal Air Cadets,where in the shooting optional activity I've learned how to use properly a shooting arm. I've been at the Rifle coach camp in Connaught,Ontario and last summer I was a staff-cadet who gave the shooting courses at Bagotville's air cadet camp with three others cadets.Over 1500 untrained youngs took for the first time an air rifle in their hands.And you know what ? Nothing bad happen.
In the UK,there is something called UKARA,and all airsoft replicas owners must be admit in it before they got the right to buy airsofts.But just think about it : only few minors got problems with it,and there is over 1000 players all over Canada.

I love this country but i hate our legal system, Police and well the government for that matter. Back in the 90's When i was a kid we used to run around with realistic looking cap guns on our street in full view of the public eye, We never had the police called or nothing, the same goes for many people i know, What happend in the period of just 10 years. The problem here isnt the replica guns, its not in the legitimate legal guns, its the ones that are smuggled in illegally and used by criminals. I know for a fact that even if you outright ban guns and anything that looks like a gun the bad guys are still gonna get them, I just hate whats happened to us... well not us more The government, all these story's about home invasions and robbers with fake guns, its just a tactic to draw our attention away from the real problems, since they cant fix it they try to make it look like they can

This is yellow journalism at it's best. It does not matter what is being used, gun knife, toy, etc. If an officer feels that their life is in danger, he/she has the right to react. So if it's bb gun vs. a real gun, which wins? Is it the officer's life that's in danger or the assailant's? What's the issue?

Real guns are behind all those gun deaths in the Toronto area, not "fake" ones. Should we not be focusing on the real problem instead of sensationalizing a non-problem? How many deaths are associated each year with replica firearms? My guess is more people die crossing the street...

As we have all witnessed, using a "real" stapler in a threatening manner can get you killed. Perhaps Marketplace should do a story on banning them as well?

Also, I'm from Quebec City and I will study in philosophy, and a report like that is a way to install a bigger fear and climate. The music, the one-way witnesses,and the stupid question about is it a real or a fake gun.
Police officers don't have to do a difference. Owners must be intelligent and use replicas as real ones.

And think about it : all peoples who did robberies or crimes with them are minors.They are not supposed to get airsoft guns : sellers are obliged to ask an ID card if they have doubts on the age of buyer and to order airsofts, you need a credit card number,so that's always mom's or dad's credit card.And if they are too stupid to say no to their kids if they do not consider them enough mature,this is their problem if their kids get killed because they point something that looks like a gun at the police.

Hey Marketplace, I have a story idea. Why not an expose on the problem of childhood/teen drinking?

Did you know tha NOT ONE store in Canada checks ID when selling Root Beet to kids under 19?!?!?!?!?

I mean if TOY "guns" are dangerous firearms, then Root Beer must be a plauge of alcohol!

Thanks for showing the other side of the coin about Direct Buy, great job. Just consumers out there, they are heavily advertising long minutes on TV more than Sears or Costco, it is not like the $60 of Cotsco that you recoup it back with great service and return policy; its a FIVE GRANDS MEMBERSHIP

The most interesting thing to me, outside the actual show, is the logic that selling fake guns to irresponsible people is OK because responsible people are properly trained.

I could argue that I don't need a driver's license, be4cause responsible drivers are well trained. and while we are at it, it is a government intrusion to require me to register my car and buy insurance.

Well for those people who say banning, does it work? During the prohibition periods in U.S. people still drink alcohol. I support the current laws reguarding classification of replica/ fake guns. The U.S. say Fake gun is toy gun, while Canada say its considered a gun, you point at a clerk during robbery you get charged for armed robbery, brandishing firearm, threatening people with firearm etc. I believe that this needs to be educated that you point a replica gun at a police you will expect thing but 2 .40S&W to your chest and one to the head.
Regulation of the replica can improve situitation, Airsoft which is illegal to acquire in Canada (without clear reciever) still can be found in Canada through gray market. Has incident happen with those "airsoft" ? No, because the gray market requires you to be 18 before you could purchase one. This is an example of how regulation could work.

yes banning anything remotely dangerous. i humbly request you turn over your kitchen knives, exacto's hammers, crowbars, because anything can be used in a robbery.

fact is since gun control was tightened crimes with improvised weapons has sky rocketed.

now i fully believe that only adults should be allowed to own one, and that minors should only be allowed to use one with supervision.

Shame on your CBC. This is disgusting. You are trying to create a story on toy guns? TOY GUNS!!! These are not guns trying to be real, or fakes. THEY ARE TOYS!! Why dont you start saying like it is..."We think we should ban realistic looking toy guns", not all this BS about fake guns as if they are made for the sole purpose of imitation firearms.

I wish you would do a responsible follow up on this story. But that would require admitting that you missed something the first time....something I doubt you will do.

Well then, by the comment below my post. I suppose we should BAN vehicles because bad drivers get in to car accidents.
I've been around firearms my entire life. Not once have I pointed it at someone or even discharged a round at anything but a wood/paper target.

But because of a few bad apples I'm branded a criminal for enjoying firearms as a sport and hobby.

Everyone has an opinion. There was mine. Cheers.

I seriously think that the lawscould be other way around: Illeagal to buy BB guns but airsoft is permitted. I think it would be better knowing that a BB gun can kill and that an airsoft ( even the best ones ) can do anything more that cause a bruise or a little bleeding.

No we shouldn't ban guns. There is no need for the average person to be able to identify a gun as real or fake? That is the job of the police. I personally am not going to try and stop a robber just because I can tell his gun is fake. And if you bring a fake gun to school, yes there should be huge consequences, but there is no need to ban them.

I fail to see how banning toy guns is going to resolve anything. The real problem is Canada's soft penal system. You can murder someone and then get a slap on the wrist before they let you out to do it again.

Banning guns because of gun crime is like banning laptops because people d/l child pornography. It doesn't make sense.

I play airsoft, and I am a married professional older than 18. The sport is not about "killing", it's about getting out into the outdoors with your friends and having fun, getting your heart rate up, and building good friendships.
I fully agree we should limit the purchase of bb guns etc to those of over 18. It is common knowledge that teens often don't understand the result of their actions in the same way that older people do. Simply limiting the purchase age would go a long way in stopping these incidents.

Some of your information is incorrect. There is no law in Ontario that prohibits those under the age of 18 from purchasing or possessing an "under 500fps air gun".

My call to the "Ontario Chief Firearms Officer" was an eye opener. Ontario has no such law on the books. I was told that responsible retailers have a policy not to sell to minors but it is totally voluntary on their part.

A nice attempt at trying to bash airsoft. But there are a few problems: First, if these crimes are being committed with the guns, then the problem isn't the guns,t's the people. Don't try to pretend that the guns are responsible, and that good people are simply seduced by them. If criminals have their mind set on something, they don't need a gun for it. Next, the weapons used in the police test aren't legally obtainable in this country, so it's likely they're fake. If real ones are getting into the country, then you have bigger problems.I respect your stance, and yes, people need to smarten up and stop using these guns. But you need to stop damning us all because of some nut who decides to rob a store with a BB pistol and ruin it for the rest of us.

I airsoft every weekend. I do not see a problem with airsoft guns. I see a problem with people who do not use them responsibly. Here, Marketplace has inflated the problem, and here, we, airsofters are the victims of this accusation. If you have committed a crime with an airsoft gun, you should be punished as if it were real.

I agree that there is a problem with toy and replica guns. They're not real guns and virtually useless when I draw one against a criminal breaking into my house.

I am a member of the Canadian Firearms Program, as a firearms Verifier.

The law in Canada under C.C. section 84(1)outlines prohibited devices, including replicas. Education is clearly required. Airsoft guns in Canada must be clear plastic or otherwise not resemble real firearms.

I have nothing against the possession and proper educated knowledge and/or use of all Airsoft, pellet, BB, and real firearms. The irresponsible and/or criminal use must be handled appropriately and may cost that individual their life.

Criminals = Good People = >99%
Who should be armed?

i think that people should know the hole story about somthing beofore they try to ban it. i have airguns and its a good pass time. now im not for people holding a gun to a persons head but i do think that it can be controled. like the perosn in the video said if theres a licice invalved then people woud be more cotroling of the guns. now one thing about most airsoft guns in canada is there made of clear plastic and have orange tips at the end of the gun but that can be fixed with a can of spary paint. having the realistc feal and look is the best part what makes it fun its beter to play with a fake gun thean a real righ?

It is really sad how the media manipulates these days. Even sadder how the government enacts laws without even thinking about the consequences. Great job with the gun registry I might say, a real 1, 2 to the chops of any criminal.Ya I know you knee jerks are still out there preaching about banning guns and airsoft but just remember that criminals don't care what you have to say, if they did they would not be shooting each other, slanging drugs on the streets, and they sure as hell will get guns and illegal substances through the border. So I hope you sleep better at night knowing this. As for the idiot that points a fake gun at an officer they deserve getting shot just as much as the person with the real steel. Although I personally do not have much faith in the RCMP anymore. They have for the most part turned into another gang of north America. exempting the few who do their duty.

I am an Airsoft player and I think it would be acceptable to Legislate the buying of airsoft. As John said in the video, I think it would be good to have a special permit and that it would be reserved for the 18+ and make it criminal for the 18- to carry/possess/buy any kind of pellet/bb/airsoft guns. Airsoft by itself is not dangerous, the individual is. Someone could take a water gun and paint it black, in the split second you are talking about, it still looks real.

People who take their airsoft out in public should be treated as if they drawn a real one. Lack of general judgment.

Hello,
I am dissapointed. Yes, these guns look real, but the laws in canada say that people must buy clear airsoft guns and not black ones. I am also mad that people like the reporter can judge and ban things that she might not like herself, but to alot of people will dissapoint them. Airsoft is a very fun game and we already have strict laws. People cant buy nonclear airsoft guns online and ship them into canada, this is ilegal and will be taken at the border. Airsoft can be sold easily at Walmart or Canadian at cheap prices. My opinion, ban airsoft at walmart and canadian tire, because kids can buy them easily and paint them. There are lots of shops and airsoft stores that sell them to people 18+. They have high prices. A thug who wants to steal money because he has none! wont go and buy a 150 dollar gun. Airsofters are commited to the game and spend lots of money, not some 14 year old

This report was far to sensationalized. The problem is not that there are toy guns, the problem is that these kids are not being trained properly, are being taught that guns are evil, and a tool of violence and destruction. I think that this problem will not be solved with a ban. the saying of "when you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have them" is very appropriate. I say that there should just be some form of process required to acquire these BB/pellet/airsoft guns. Some form of course where safety is taught, maybe a background check, simple things like that could assure that the owner is aware of the local laws, and kids looking for a way to terrorize the neighborhood would be unable to pass those courses, making owning them an offense, meaning that the police could do something if confronted, and not just be forced to let the kid keep the gun and cause other mischief.

What's the problem?

You have a fake gun. You commit a crime. Nobody get's hurt, but you are punished more severely than if you were unarmed. No problem.

You have a fake gun. You commit a crime. You get shot. No problem.

Just love the "Ban the Guns" will fix everything statement. England did this years ago and now their beloved Bobbies carry guns!! Why because of illegal guns. So the informed public knows that the problem is not the people who follow the laws in place but the criminals and gangbangers that drive around with loaded guns from the States!!! I do agree that we should ban look alikes and if you use a look alike or a real gun tack on 5 years before the charges are even reviewed. But lets be clear banning all registered guns will just drive them underground and open the floodgates for illegal guns!! Better to know who has them then not, lets not fool ourselves by thinking that attacking legal gunowners will fix the problem just add more jail time instead of sticking your head in the sand!!!

R

I just watched your segement on airsoft guns. To think that people have these out in public and that they are so real looking is scary. It puts lives at risk. Can you imagine the public outcry if a young person is shot because he was waving a fake gun around or even was trying to hold up a store with a fake gun. The police only have a split second to determine and if someone raises any type of gun at another human being it is a threat. Our law enforcement agencies have enough to deal with in these difficult times. Definitly, if it looks real then I agree with age restrictions and licensing and treat them like real guns. Therefore they cannot be out in public.

Wow,once again Canadians disappoint me. Regulations and more government do not solve any issues what so ever, if people want to buy fake guns no law or age restriction is going to stop them. These whole show is trying to shut down and industry. What will happen to that man and his family or any other business here in Canada if they ban fake guns. When regulations or ''bans'' hit the street it only affects people who follow the kings laws. When I was in New Hampshire people were carrying real guns on their hips out in the open and that is one of the safest states to live in. Gun bans put guns in the hands of people that want to use them for harm only, everyone else has to rely on a terrible police system to come save them.... again CBC reporting bad news with bad judgment.

Guns, knives, sling shots, motorcycles and cars can all be misused. We could simply ban anything dangerous or we can educated users.

Require the fake "guns" to be brightly colored.

Just watched the show and all I can say is it is mind numbing to think we still believe we can legislate ourselves towards a better future!

What if I fashion a realistic looking handgun out of wood and cover it with metallic paint and go point it at a cop downtown? What if I just made a threatening gesture? They would either taser me or blow me away and then claim it was in self defense. Face it, alot of our cops and soldiers are the type who grew up wondering how "cool" it would be to blow someone away. Little different in that way than the thugs they chase.

A better idea would be to ban our entire legislative branch of government. Their mere spoiled existence can only ensure an ever burdening amount of red tape, bureaucracy and taxes for Canadians.

I love you girls,you are the best, bust those whom cheat the people.

Thank you

Why not just do exactly the same as here in the UK? here the guns have to be 50%+ (i think) brighty colourd so the police and public know it is an airsoft gun. Here you can only buy a BB gun if it's brightly colourd if its not its illegal unless you are registerd with a propper airsofting club. Don't just ban them alltogether because that just spoils it for everyone else.

I am currently finishing off school to be a Police Officer and at the same time and enjoy playing it.

If and when someone pulls a gun on me fake or not in public. They are breaking the law. A fake gun or not if they intend to use it as a real gun it should be treated as a REAL gun.

I play airsoft in a safe and fun environment with not one problem.

So 18+ is something I suggest as well.

this comment is for Jackie Chan -

you are a complete moron for that post. Your ignorance is scary! we will have a police states in no time with people of your ignorance! MANY people have firearms in canada, and MANY of them are law abiding citizens. who are you to say to ban all firearms? and bb guns? what next, cars? you can easily kill MANY people with a car, van, truck... how about steak knives? should we ban them all to? they too, can kill. backyard swimming pools? many children die in them, why don't we ban them or make people get licenses for them? it's absolutely endless, don't you see that? stop the fear mongering, educate!

what you're asking for is a communist dictatorship. we will end up like the sheep in the UK, no guns, no rifles, and crime rate going up.

educate yourself before you talk BS.

I have a two fully automatic aeg and a 450fps bolt action sniper rifle. I only shoot pop cans in my friend's backyard and i never ever carry my aeg in public or injure any animals. I know that my airsoft gun is a replica weapon and i am responsible for my actions.

p.s. Hey CBC, why not make an article on licensing knives? They're way more dangerous. Go to a restaurant and u get yourself a whole pig because the cook doesn't have a knife license.LMAO! I have a 12" army knife and I carry it with me everywhere. Do you know why?! It is for my own personal protection and to subdue criminals.