The airsoft hobby has just been given a big black eye by two men in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Last Wednesday evening, Ryan Lee Kooima, 20, and Taylor Alexander Ingram, 19, who are not residents of the Grand Rapids, turned themselves in after the Grand Rapids Police Department identified them as suspects and issued warrants for their arrests last September 9 according to Mlive.com.

Police received up to 6 complaints of people shot randomly with airsoft guns last September 7 and 8 by two men in their twenties riding a black sport utility vehicle (SUV). While both Kooima and Ingram are suspects in the case, they are still presumed innocent until proven guilty. Luckily none of the victims in these airsoft drive-by shootings were seriously injured.

A check of Kooima's Facebook page shows no photos of him being an airsoft player nor holding an airsoft gun. As for Ingram, Facebook returned with no results of him having an account.

As to the charges that will be brought to these two men, it will be three counts of assault and battery. Both of the suspects were released from custody yesterday with no indication of a bond having been paid. In Michigan, if proven guilty, assault and battery with intent to cause great bodily harm can result into 10 years in prison or a US$5,000 fine or both. A judge may allow an offender to serve a portion or the whole sentence on probation.

Suspects Ryan Kooima (left) and Taylor Ingram (right). Photos from Kent County Jail.

These guys were lucky to have not been caught in the act by the local police. Displaying an airsoft gun in public may just result into dire consequences and it is always mainly fatal to the person holding the airsoft gun. Police will always draw their weapons when they see something that resembles a firearm.

These incidents can always be pounced on by politicians and concerned citizens to ban or strictly regulate airsoft guns. The California SB 199 which will require airsoft guns with some coloration beyond the Federal mandate of orange tips,  and the California State Assembly was the result of a young man shot by the Sta. Rosa police for carrying an airsoft gun in public who have mistook it for a real AK-47. SB 199 is awaiting the signature of Governor Brown as of this writing.

Airsoft sellers and airsoft site owners may have to brush up on their knowledge on state laws such as assault and battery. From there they can explain to airsoft players and customers wanting to buy airsoft guns of the implications when they are up to no good with airsoft guns. Perhaps a little more education on laws apart from the usual safety briefs is in order for airsoft.