Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House issues regarding the sport known as Airsoft. Matters of appearance and automatic operation effectively outlaw Airsoft / Soft Air devices pursuant to the relevant State firearms law. We submit that given the existence of skirmish sports in Australia (eg. Paintball) and the realism of equipment used (eg. paintball firearms), Airsoft devices are unfairly restricted. The major cause for complaint is that the same laws which outlaw Airsoft devices allow people to own and use semi-automatic Paintball firearms, realistic Laser Skirmish taggers and replica (non-firing) firearms which have the same appearance as restricted lethal weapons.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to amend current State firearms law at the next firearms legislation review. Amendments should allow the possession and use of some classes of Airsoft firearms by appropriately licensed individuals or corporations in Queensland at approved fields only, in compliance with firearms legislation.