If you have been monitoring milsim events in the USA, you'll notice one prominent event organiser, Milsim West, has been using blank firing guns in their events. This were first noticed in the Road To Rostov event and many wondered why blank firing guns are used in an airsoft milsim event. The answer is pretty obvious --- they use blank firing guns for effect in their milsim events to give a dose of realism.

Just imagine an AO where the action is always penetrated by staccato burst of gunfire amidst the smoke generated by smoke grenades thrown by the players. If milsim players want the closest feeling to an actual real world battle, surely such use of blank firing guns can help in giving that feel. So far, Milsim West has been succeeding.

With that, a debate ensued as there are those are bothered by the presence of real steel weapons, and the possibility of injuries with blank firing guns. If not handled properly, the wad of blank cartridges can cause bruising and the muzzle blast can also cause severe injury to those up close, especially to the eyes due to the high velocity of the gas expelled.  There are even more serious accidents that can be caused by blank firing guns. Such a concern is really valid and to dispel such concerns, Darkhorse of One Grunt's Opinion has this to say:

The blank fire weapons in AIRSOFT debate has everyone all hot and bothered today.

Here's my short version opinion on this topic:

A milsim op is very different from a local pickup game at your home field. So you can't just say yes it's okay everywhere. It has already been used for years safely by op producers. You are all just now noticing it because it's becoming more common. Proof that it can be done and done safely is well established.

If a local field starts allowing it then you should ask the op producers doing it already how they best implement it. Those guys pioneered it and know the best practices.

It's not for everyone to just jump on and do. Safety and your customer base should be considered before using. Blank firing weapons aren't the only way to make noise anyways.

I just say don't turn an element of theatricality designed for immersion into some kind of boogie man.

Reenactors and the military have used them for decades, it's not some unstable or unproven technology.

Javier "Darkhorse"

Darkhorse says it plainly that it's not for everyone. If you plan on using blank firing guns for your own airsoft event, it is best that this should be handled by firearms professionals or those with experience using it in airsoft events who are to be embedded amongst the teams. Even if airsoft players are proficient with their airsoft guns and treat them like real firearms, a real firearm, even if it uses blank cartridges is another thing; and not all airsoft players can say that they are experienced firearms users.

But even before you start using blank firing guns as special effects in your event, there are still questions that you will have to consider. Will your AO be far from a populated area? Will the local authorities allow it? You must not alarm the local population and that local authorities are aware and have given the permission for you to use blank firing guns for your event. So just don't go in there and start firing bursts of blank gunfire, you may just invite a heavily armed response from law enforcement organisations. Always check laws, local and national.

As Darkhorse says, blank firing weapons are not the only way to generate some realistic gun noise. In countries where real firearms are not allowed or heavily regulated, there are alternatives to create the gun sound effect without the need for blank firing guns.

One is the Ballistic Ordnance Sound System or BOSS from B.L.Tech in New Zealand. It’s a unique gun sound technology for airsoft and so far it is the most realistic gun sound system that it is being used in airsoft events. You can watch the video below to listen to the sound:

If you are able to bring the BOSS to your AO, you will still need to check if such noise it generates will alarm the local population where the AO is located. Some local authorities will be strict about noise, and you might not be allowed to use the BOSS, especially if it's going to be a night event. So far, we don’t know if B.L. Tech will be able to export the BOSS outside of New Zealand. That’s something we'll have to be envious about the Kiwis.

Another is the Incentive Designs RATTLE that blasts out a machine gun sound when fired and with the MFG (Muzzle Flash Generator) Venom, surely looks to be a formidable system that can be brought to use in a milsim event. Take the MFG Venom and combine it with the B.L.Tech BOSS then you create something that is close to a blank firing weapon, much safer to use and they still fire BBs rather than blanks.

To each his own in terms of approach in creating realism in an airsoft milsim event, whether they use blank firing guns or some of the latest airsoft innovations that try to replicate real gun sound and muzzle flash. Organisers will need to remember that safety will always be paramount in considering which tool to use coupled that the tool will not violate any local or national laws.

Honestly, it is not really a debate at all. It's more about using common sense.