Change

This is a civic petition, not a business listing. Started June 17, 2023 by Mark Parsons, it requests the Borough of Anchorage amend its firearms ordinance to create an exemption allowing regulated airsoft gameplay.

Anchorage's municipal code § 8.25.030 currently prohibits discharge of firearms, air rifles, and air pistols within city limits except in designated hunting areas, established shooting ranges, or licensed gunsmith facilities. The petition seeks to add a new section allowing airsoft fields as a legal exception.

Anchorage has paintball facilities (notably 907 Paintball), but lacks any legal venue for organized airsoft events, leaving local airsoft enthusiasts without options.

Airsoft originated in Japan as a team-based elimination game using low-power airguns that fire 6-8mm plastic BBs weighing up to 0.5 grams at speeds up to 500 FPS. Players hit by pellets are expected to call themselves out based on an honor system.

Unlike paintball, airsoft pellets don't leave visible marks—hits aren't always obvious. Protective gear is recommended because pellets can leave small bruises or welts on exposed skin.

Most airsoft guns are cosmetically designed to resemble actual firearms, making them popular for military simulation and historical reenactments.

• •Action shooting – competitive target games
• •Close quarters battle (CQB) – indoor skirmishes
• •Military simulation (MilSim) – organized large-scale tactical scenarios
• •Historical reenactments – period-accurate combat recreation
• •Live action role-playing (LARP) – story-driven gameplay

Games are supervised by trained marshals and professionals who enforce safety rules.

Airsoft is used professionally for tactical training because:

• •Better safety profile than live fire
• •Significantly lower cost per training round
• •Realistic weapon manipulation and tactics practice
• •Non-lethal live-fire scenarios

The U.S. Coast Guard officially adopted airsoft for training in 2018. Military, state, and local law enforcement use airsoft for active shooter scenarios and weapon manipulation drills.

Before gameplay, guns are checked with a chronograph to measure muzzle velocity (FPS or joules). Fields may:

• •Enforce maximum velocity caps
• •Require minimum engagement distances
• •Mandate "Bang Bang!" yelling instead of shooting at very close range
• •Require full protective gear

Addition of section D to Anchorage code § 8.25.030 A.1 permitting:

• •Regulated airsoft and MilSim game fields outside residential neighborhoods
• •Contained indoor/outdoor facilities designed for gameplay
• •Professional supervision and safety marshalling
• •Non-lethal weapons firing plastic projectiles only

The petition notes that airsoft facilities would generate revenue through:

• •Business licensing fees
• •Property taxes
• •New business ventures and employment

As of the petition creation date (June 17, 2023), the campaign aimed for 50+ verified signatures. Petitions with 1,000+ supporters are 5x more likely to succeed with decision-makers.