I almost suggested that you skip the first part of this Airsoft Medicine May 2012 Podcast as it'll make you hungry. After following their advice of getting something to drink before sitting down to listen, they went into a discussion on what food you can eat without the microphone picking up the chewing noise when doing a podcast. Cookies would do fine with me as I don't have to worry about eating with a mike in front of me.

Whilst there's no action on SB 1315 in California as the State Legislature has prioritised, they get into S810 in New Jersey which is an attempt to label airsoft as firearms. Now one of their readers sent an email that if airsoft gets defined as a firearm, hypothetically, it can then be classified as an assault weapon. Dr. Airsoft and Rangemaster Larry then cited that both California and New Jersey have an assault weapons and it's a felony to possess such weapons and magazines that carry 15 rounds or more and no airsoft gun has a magazine capacity below that, perhaps some springers. There will be some unintended consequences for airsoft if it becomes a reality. This means that the airsoft community in New Jersey will have to be more vocal and intensify lobbying to defeat the bill if they want airsoft survive in their state.

Dr. Airsoft mentions that he sits in the airsoft committee of the ASTM International, where it is comprised of representatives of airsoft manufacturers, insurance companies that cover airsoft fields, companies that manufacture eye and face protection, those who set the standards, and those who have a stake in the airsoft business. The insurers want to insist that airsoft field operators should implement face and ear protection rather than allow players to play with protective eyewear claiming that they are losing money with injury claims with the current setup. It is a valid point, as premiums may just go up in case which will also increase fees in playing at airsoft fields as operators will pass on the costs to the players but there was no mention of figures to back up these claims. Either follow the recommendations of the insurance industry or if players sign waivers that they are on their own in wearing eye and ear protection when they enter an airsoft field.

It is interesting that Airsoft Medicine brought the topic of insurance up as it's rarely discussed. Players should also realise that they better understand that insurance is part of paying the fee to play at an airsoft field as it can cover treatment in case of accident or injury before griping about game fees. We always recommend that game operators and airsoft players discuss about insurance coverage as airsoft, whilst considered a safe sport, is still an extreme sport where the possibility of injury or accidents to the player is higher than any other type of sport. For parents, it's also confidence that their children are covered and a sign that an airsoft field follows standards. It's only the question of data to back up the claims of insurance companies that they are losing money to airsoft fields and thus requiring more protection that make us still wary about their insistence as there many instances that eye protection is adequate enough. Perhaps due to the high costs of treatment in the US that these companies are worried about, as compared to other countries where health care is nationalised and the government, through people's taxes cover health care, regardless of the patient's capacity to pay.

The duo also discussed about the Travis Haley interview at The Gear Locker and a mask test but the main meat of this podcast is the legal implications of New Jersey S810 (which they pronounced as "Satan") and insurance as discussed at airsoft committee of ASTM International.

This is another great podcast, and you better rate this at iTunes when you download it. Also, try to catch Dr. Airsoft try to make a joke at something.

You can also listen to the podcast at Feedburner. Scroll down to the bottom until you find the Episode "Airsurance."