This feature is really another PSA as we always emphasize here on Popular Airsoft that anybody, cosplayers and especially airsoft players, should avoid carrying their replica firearms in public as this will always cause alarm and panic. Worse, a police response sometimes leads to injuries to the wielder of the replica firearm, and the worst case is that he/she gets shot to death for not following police orders.

In this case, it is a cosplayer who caused alarm to beachgoers last July 3 in Seacliff State Beach in Monterey Bay, California. It is a public beach and the cosplayer conducted a photo shoot holding what looks like to be a replica SVD rifle. First spotted by Kotaku, according to KRON4, concerned beachgoers reported their sightings and the police responded.

In California, it is prohibited to openly display or expose any imitation firearm in a public place. Replica firearms should have bright colors or are transparent to show the contents of the replica. The replica firearm did not show any bright colors or transparent features as shown by the video from KRON4.

We do get that in many anime series, firearms are the usual weapons, with females as highly trained shooters or assassins. Cosplay conventions also allow for cosplayers to bring replica firearms, but they too have strict guidelines on how they should appear, and that usually they do have some coloration. Sometimes airsoft guns are allowed as long as they have orange muzzles and that they are empty as well as no batteries or gas in them. But it depends on the organizers as some also prohibit airsoft guns.

Cosplayers love to be photographed as they worked hard on their costumes and to show their love for whatever show, comic book, or fantasy character.  Just like airsoft players, they should also be aware that carrying replica firearms in public and outside of any Cosplay gathering, will usually cause alarm to the people in the vicinity. And as I have and various news reports of similar incidents, it can lead to harm to the owner of the replica and even those around the vicinity.

Always carry your replica in a gun bag or case when transiting in public. If you do intend to do a photo shoot with a replica firearm in public, you will have to inform relevant authorities what you intend to do and they might just be of assistance to you to keep it clean and safe. Nothing wrong in asking for safety’s sake.