The London 2012 Olympics finally opens today. Whilst is a great day for celebrations in the capital and the rest of the UK, it's also for us airsoft players to take more than the necessary precautions for the next two weeks as London and other Olympic venues in many parts of the UK will be under tight security. In the past days, there have been more aggressive arrests and illegal firearms in different shapes and sizes confiscated.

With hundreds of thousands of people visiting London for the Olympic games and security alerts at the highest, we expect more than the usual vigilance by security forces and even by the public. With this, we advise airsoft players to avoid London and other Olympic venues when travelling to and from airsoft sites. If you will need to take a detour to avoid security hotspots, then please do so, even if this means that your travel time will be longer, so better plan ahead so as not to be late for your games. It also means you have to check for traffic conditions so as not to get caught up in the throng of cars going to Olympic events.

AT ALL TIMES, AIRSOFT GUNS SHOULD NOT BE SEEN IN PUBLIC

We suggest that you go via car rather than public transport for now, and if you don't have a car, better look for carpools or have your mates pick you up. All airsoft guns and gear should be stored in their bags, with not one bit sticking out. If you happen to park in a public place such as a motorway service to stop and buy some food or get some petrol whilst on your way, do not make the bags visible to the public. The best is to store everything inside the car boot.

Another advice is to go to airsoft skirmish sites in civilian clothing, rather than be in BDUs or some tactical  clothing. You can always change into the proper tactical clothing once you get to the site. I'd rather avoid the multicam pattern as the British military are out in full force, and the MTP uniform they wear is also multicam. Also avoid DPM. This way, you won't be mistaken as part of the security, or be accosted on wearing the uniform when you're not part of the security forces.

The worst case scenario is that you get stopped by the police when transporting airsoft guns. Always follow their instructions and inform them in a very clear manner that you are carrying an airsoft gun(s) and that they are not real. Do not argue or make unnecessary abrupt movements. The police guns will be mainly out in the next two weeks, so do not give the police an excuse to pull the trigger.

ENJOY THE OLYMPIC GAMES INSTEAD

I may not earn a few fans from airsoft skirmish site operators, but then the Olympics happen every four years, so you might as well watch the games on the telly, in the stadium, or anywhere to lend your support to the Games. It will be just two weeks and airsoft will always be around the whole year. You help lessen the security issues with false alarms on replica firearms, and you would also avoid the headache of transporting airsoft guns during the Games.

A prominent American on a visit to the UK said that "a few things that were disconcerting” about London’s preparations" yesterday, we might as well give our support and show to the world that "Yes, we can!" just like the 60,000 people when they answered Boris Johnson's clarion call at Hyde Park on the same day.