It's back to school for most young people, and we have always admonished not to bring their airsoft hobby to school or near the grounds. Airsoft guns always have a place, and that is on the skirmish field. But it seems the recklessness and rebelliousness of youth always get the better of them, as a badge of courage for them, but for most mature players, a badge of utter stupidity.

Scanning the internet for airsoft news, what I got is a disappointing, if not alarming, list of news of kids bringing airsoft to schools and even using these on campus. Is it poor parenting? Perhaps. But it's also up to the airsoft community and airsoft retailers to admonish them not to bring the airsoft guns to public places, most especially schools. With the memory of Columbine, Virginia Tech, and a list of other lesser known school shootings, common sense dictates not bringing real or airsoft guns to school.

We must always remember that news like this bring a black mark to our sport. While not lethal, airsoft guns' similarity with the real deal will always strike fear for those who do not know about airsoft guns, which basically is a great number of people. These incidents will not help gain more mainstram acceptance to sport if left unanswered by education, and perhaps more stringent checks on younger people in handling and carrying airsoft weapons responsibly.

At the end of the day, it's the retailer's business, and the airsoft community's hobby that will be greatly affected if no action is taken.

Read the news further as reported by many community newspapers and news sites:

• JWP students suspended for bringing Airsoft guns to school grounds
• Juveniles shoot BBs on campus
• Teen tackled after airsoft gun threat near Milwaukie High
• Fake Guns Cause Scare On Truman Campus
• Pellets Hit Puyallup School Buses
• Teen faces firearm charge
• An employee of St. Teresa Catholic Grade School, 215 E. Fifth, reported finding two airsoft guns on the playground. 
• Mid-week CG police reports
• 2 bring pellet guns to school
• Are School Pranks Going Too Far?