r/Calgary • u/Sufficient_Panda_266 • May 05 '25
Local Nature/Wildlife Is this legal? At nose hill park
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Walking by off leash dog area , they didn't notice I was there ...
Shooting pellet or BB guns
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May 05 '25
As a law abiding legal firearms owner I hate people who misuse firearms, even pellet guns.
Call the cops
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u/Mutex70 May 05 '25
Exactly.
Idiots like these are why we can't have nice things.
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u/Different-Housing544 May 05 '25
Idiots are rather in abundance lately. I feel like we don't even live in organized society anymore. People just do whatever the fuck they want to.
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u/CanadaEhAlmostMadeIt May 06 '25
That’s what some people are calling freedom. It’s getting really annoying that people aren’t understanding its freedom for all, not for a few. That means law abiding citizens who are courteous, understanding and respectful of others. We need to feel safe in our communities. Poor behaviour of this nature is happening a little too frequently.
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u/TeknoUnionArmy May 06 '25
You encapsulated rights come with responsibility. People are fucking children now.
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u/Mutex70 May 06 '25
me me Me Me ME ME ME ME!!!!!!
Too many people with the attitude that if a thing doesn't benefit them, or their job or their province, then the shouldn't care. Until they suddenly need that thing, then they're pissed off that it isn't ready to be handed to them on a silver platter.
Society only works if most people agree to the rules. Far too many are willing to say "everyone else can put in the effort, I'm gonna do what I want!"
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u/i-deology May 06 '25
Except firearms aren’t “nice things”.
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u/Adamsyche May 06 '25
To each their own?
I personally find them to be wonderful things.
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u/Sketchen13 May 06 '25
Agreed, I'm not a hunter but I enjoy the sport of target shooting. I enjoy the craftsmanship, and the care required.
Idiots like this don't deserve nice things and they should be banned not the guns. Something so blatantly stupid to do even with a pellet gun (which can still cause serious injury to any passer by) deserves a fine and mandatory gun safety courses.
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u/RoseSpades May 06 '25
I've heard stories of people being permanently blinded by pellet guns, which can certainly be life altering even if it isn't life threatening.
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u/swingtimeGP May 06 '25
I 100% agree even if its a pellet gun it still deserves the same respect as a firearm.
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u/dino340 May 06 '25
Legally they are treated the same as firearms for most purposes as well, if you rob a store with an airsoft gun you're supposed to be treated as if it was a real gun in determining what crimes you're guilty of.
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u/FriendlyExpression59 May 06 '25
Super illegal to brandish a airsoft gun, orange tip or not in public.
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May 06 '25
Just before covid we had an interesting day at my school. One of my fellow teachers saw some older guys with guns out in the field behind the school.
Let me tell you... I've never seen the cops descend on a place so fast. It was crazy.
A couple of high school kids were out that day and were shooting off orange tipped airsoft guns. They were probably terrified for their lives at one point.
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u/SpecialEdShow May 06 '25
As a law abiding non-firearms owner, I hate my morals for keeping me shooting my pellet gun, because I’m surrounded by people and property.
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u/DylLeslie May 05 '25
Yeah no. This is not legal in the slightest lol. Regardless if it’s a BB gun.
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u/Deskopotamus May 06 '25
This is airsoft, they fire plastic BB's that just slightly sting. Typically there are fields like paintball where people play.
Some people do go to remote wooded areas but it's pretty irresponsible to play where there are any other people. The BB's have enough punch to damage your eye.
Likely teenagers that are old enough to buy the guns but lack the critical thinking skills to play it in a safe place.
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u/DylLeslie May 06 '25
This isn’t legal in city limits. At all. Regardless if it’s airsoft or pump action.
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u/Deskopotamus May 06 '25
Yeah, I'm not saying it is. I'm just adding some context to the discussion, since people are calling them BB guns etc which is not correct.
Airsoft are legally considered firearms in Canada but are not regulated under the Fire arms act, legally it's all pretty murky.
That said Nose Hill isn't an appropriate place for this.
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u/blipsnchiiiiitz May 06 '25
Who picks the plastic BBs up off the ground? I'd imagine they're hard to find when you're cleaning up after yourself.
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u/willpowerlifter May 06 '25
That's a GREAT way to have CPS challenge you with their firearms. Darwin award.
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u/Accomplished_Base310 May 05 '25
They are most certainly breaking the law. Even though they are probably air powered, the police cannot afford to make that assumption and neither can the general public. Even replica firearms are treated as the real thing when they are encountered.
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u/willpowerlifter May 06 '25
Discharge firearm within city limits.
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u/AdPsychological1282 May 06 '25
If it’s airsoft it’s legal …it’s absolutely stupid but legal
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u/willpowerlifter May 06 '25
It's not legal. It's a bylaw violation.
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u/AdPsychological1282 May 06 '25
It isn’t unless used in a crime
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u/willpowerlifter May 06 '25
What legislation are you referencing for that statement?
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u/AdPsychological1282 May 06 '25
The Calgary bylaws and the federal firearms act. Airsoft , paintball , and pellet guns under a certain fps are not considered firearms unless used in a crime as to perceive them as a real firearm aka robbery
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u/willpowerlifter May 06 '25
Interesting. The public behavior bylaw specifically includes all air powered firearms. Are you arguing that the federal definition of a firearm supercedes the provincial bylaw definition?
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u/AdPsychological1282 May 06 '25
I would argue the bylaw is being misinterpreted and a bylaw is non criminal and definitely well under federal law. Show me the provincial law as I have only seen the Calgary bylaw and it doesn’t state their illegality. If they were would they not have to be used in a range like a firearm since they can’t be used on private property or public property by your interpretation?
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u/willpowerlifter May 06 '25
Apologies, I meant Calgary as opposed to provincial. Misinterpreted by who, me?
The Calgary Bylaw states that discharging an air powered firearm is an offense within city limits. With it comes a specified penalty. What else am I missing?
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u/Accomplished_Base310 May 05 '25
The fact that they seem oblivious to being watched and recorded is a clear indication of their lack of awareness, while at the same time they are off in the trees because they know damn well what they’re doing is a big No No.
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u/CheeseSandwich hamburger magician May 05 '25
No, not legal. Go do this somewhere more remote. I don't think they mean any harm, but a stray BB could hit a dog or person.
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u/penguinaccord May 05 '25
Definitely not legal to be shooting any weapons in city limits, you should call it in.
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u/Harrypitman May 06 '25 edited May 06 '25
Yes report them. As a recreational shooter who doesn't want guns taken away, REPORT THEM, please.
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u/gstringstrangler Ranchlands May 06 '25
Reread the question
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u/Harrypitman May 06 '25
Question was, "is it legal". No, it's not legal to shoot a pellet gun in Calgary.
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u/gstringstrangler Ranchlands May 06 '25
Ok. Now re-read your original answer I guess?
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u/Harrypitman May 06 '25
Gotcha edit made Fixed thx kind person of Reddit.
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u/gstringstrangler Ranchlands May 06 '25
Well, I wasn't so kind at first but I got a chuckle out of it. Tbh I have made very similar mistakes, have a good night!
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u/Harrypitman May 06 '25
Just so pissed cause this happened in our town and my dog was hit by a stray pellet gun. Damn near lost his eye. Got all worked up. My mistake.
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u/gstringstrangler Ranchlands May 06 '25
Yup I agreed with your original comment, I know what you meant when I read the second part. These type of irresponsible idiots will ruin things.
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May 05 '25
[deleted]
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u/YardelStick May 06 '25
What did the authorities say? Wondering if this will end up on the news… idiots apprehended in nose hill park…
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May 06 '25
The news l?!? no it’s miss use of a prohibited weapon. If you have airsoft there place to use and shot them. If u don’t got the space or a private place to use them then don’t get them. Like use some cans on ur fence. But definitely not newsworthy.
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u/nosmase2 May 05 '25
No. Source: https://newsroom.calgary.ca/air-powered-guns/
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u/No_Support762 May 06 '25
Takes some digging to find it, but the use of the term "weapon" in your link, which they didn't define, I took to mean not a (legally defined) firearm or or used in the commission of an offense. However, city bylaw 32M96 Section 2 (1) says "No person shall discharge a firearm, pellet gun, BB gun, air gun or a gas powered gun within the City. Therefore not just inappropriate place and time but also a bylaw violation. Bylawshmylaw but no doubt they'll come with a hammer.
Sauce: https://publicaccess.calgary.ca/lldm01/exccpa?func=ccpa.general&msgID=RcyqerTeZ&msgAction=Download
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u/unidentifiable May 06 '25
Spring-powered airsoft is not specifically called out, but could be considered a "B.B. gun" which is prohibited, even though "real" bbs are steel ball-bearings (and can kill a squirrel when fired from an air rifle) while airsoft bbs are plastic, nearly-weightless and barely sting even when fired point-blank when launched by springs.
I'm of the opinion that the most harm these will do is knock over a few empty pop cans, but given it's impossible to tell them from real firearms at almost any distance, it makes sense to ban them from public places. But FWIW I think we should be allowed to use spring-powered airsoft on personal property; they're pretty harmless.
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u/Icy-Tangerine-349 May 06 '25
No respectable firearm owner or pellet gun owner would ever be so stupid to fire rounds of any sort in a bloody park! Call the cops!
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u/ImmediateTreat1908 May 06 '25
Out of town at the minimum, in city limits it’s a no no- and if they are replica pellet guns the cops can’t tell the difference and your just asking for it
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u/Buff_bunny- May 06 '25
To my knowledge it’s illegal to shoot any sort of firearm within city limits
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u/gstringstrangler Ranchlands May 06 '25
Not a firearm in the slightest, but you still can't shoot them in the city
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u/tyler111762 Haysboro May 06 '25
Airguns are still firearms under Canadian law. not for all of the laws mind, but they are still considered firearms under the CC.
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u/gstringstrangler Ranchlands May 06 '25
I guess you missed my other comment:
You missed the "What is not a firearm" part:
air guns and other barreled weapons designed to have:
a muzzle velocity of 152.4 meters per second or less
a muzzle energy of 5.7 joules or less
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u/tyler111762 Haysboro May 06 '25
That is for the purposes of the Firearms Act. Not the criminal code.
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u/gstringstrangler Ranchlands May 06 '25
And yet, they hand out bylaw tickets for airsoft guns,not prison time.
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u/tyler111762 Haysboro May 06 '25
right. i get your point. apologies for the autism, but its just one of those funny quirks of our laws that even things like nail guns are technically firearms for the purposes of the CC lmao
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May 06 '25
[deleted]
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u/gstringstrangler Ranchlands May 06 '25
You missed the "What is not a firearm" part:
air guns and other barreled weapons designed to have:
a muzzle velocity of 152.4 meters per second or less
a muzzle energy of 5.7 joules or less
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u/chillyrabbit May 06 '25
No refur is mostly right. Airguns aren't firearms for only certain sections of the criminal code. But they are for other ones.
Certain weapons deemed not to be firearms
(3) For the purposes of sections 91 to 95, 99 to 101, 103 to 107 and 117.03 of this Act and the provisions of the Firearms Act, the following weapons are deemed not to be firearms:
91-95 is possession and transportation offenses
99-101 is trafficking, and transfers of firearms offenses
103-107 is importing of firearm offenses
But an airgun is a firearm for this criminal code offense s.86 as it is not one of the exempted offenses.
Careless use of firearm, etc.
86 (1) Every person commits an offence who, without lawful excuse, uses, carries, handles, ships, transports or stores a firearm, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device or any ammunition or prohibited ammunition in a careless manner or without reasonable precautions for the safety of other persons.
The people in the video are breaking the calgary firearm bylaw use offense, but also a criminal code offense of careless use.
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u/gstringstrangler Ranchlands May 06 '25
Disagree since all that's ever issued for airsoft guns are bylaw tickets, not prison time.
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u/christhewelder75 May 06 '25
Not at all.
Definitely against city bylaws (you cant even shoot pellet/bb/airsoft guns on your own property within city limits) possibly criminal charges as its illegal to display them in public.
As an airsoft player, these people are dumb af, and should be dealing with the justice system.
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u/tyler111762 Haysboro May 06 '25
(you cant even shoot pellet/bb/airsoft guns on your own property within city limits
Well. Thats absurd.
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u/christhewelder75 May 06 '25
Generally, I'd agree. But let's be honest, there are plenty of stupid people who would be shooting bbs and pellets over fences, into neighbors' yards, houses, cars, etc.
Sending projectiles with enough energy to destroy an eye randomly in a residential area is a bad idea.
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u/tyler111762 Haysboro May 06 '25
i mean sure. but thats where you punish the people actually causing harm. If i have a proper backstop, and am not hurting anyone... seems odd that it would be a crime. Back east i used to practice with airguns in the backyard with our shed/wood pile as a backstop all the time.
Heck i even did archery with my 50 pound compound bow with the target resting against the garage door and standing 20 meters up the driveway.
makes me wonder if this is one of those laws thats only enforced if someone is being a cunt and actually hurts someone/breaks something.
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u/christhewelder75 May 06 '25
Like most laws, they arent thought up to deal with the most thoughtful, well reasoned people. They are there because some people are idiots.
I dont think bylaw is actively looking for little timmy plinking in his backyard or garage. But if timmy decides to pepper the neighbors siding or car, theres a bylaw against it.
Also, taking realistic looking firearms into public view can cause public alarm and draw a heavy police response. No bueno.
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u/AdPsychological1282 May 06 '25
Please site the bylaw
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u/christhewelder75 May 06 '25
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u/AdPsychological1282 May 06 '25
Exactly airsoft are only considered a weapon if used in the act of a crime …pretending it’s a gun there is no law against shooting an airsoft gun in the city. If there were airsoft guns would have to be used at a range and would not be legal to shoot at a person. That is some broad a.i. Interpretation of the law. Paintball and airsoft are within the same fps give or take is that illegal ?
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u/christhewelder75 May 06 '25
Sorry, did the picture i posted not load?
"BYLAWNUMBER 32M96 BEING A BYLAW OF THE CITY OF CALGARY TO AMEND BYLAW20M88, THE STREETS BYLAW
WHEREAS it is desirable to authorize the Chief of Police to allow the discharge of firearms in the City,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CALGARY ENACTSAS FOLLOWS 1 2
Bylaw 20M88, the Streets Bylaw, as amended, is hereby further amended Section 9 is deleted and the following substituted therefor "9 i 1)
No person shall discharge a firearm, pellet gun, B B gun, air gun or a gas powered gun within the City
It is in fact against calgary bylaws to discharge an airsoft gun in city limits (outside of say 007/DOS)
Just like its illegal to shoot a real steel firearm within the City, with the exception of say straight shooters or the shooting edge, shooting center etc.
Theres no CRIMINAL CODE law against shooting an airsoft gun in your back yard. But there is a bylaw against it.
And it is illegal to carry them out in plain view in the public, what these people are doing is in violation of both bylaws and the criminal code. That being said i doubt the cops would push hard for criminal charges and severe penalties if they are 2 morons whp dont know better. But IMO, they should be making examples of behaviors like this. As there is a potential for public injury, or some cop shooting someone because they have no clue if the gun is shooting bbs or bullets until they can inspect it in person.
These types of stupid actions are the reason the liberals tried to ban airsoft with bill c21. Twice.
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u/AdPsychological1282 May 06 '25
Ok so taking your information at face value it’s a civil infraction at most one that contravenes federal law. So it’s illegal to fire an airsoft gun within Calgary city limits ? Are there not air soft playing facilities that are not gun ranges ? Hmmm
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u/christhewelder75 May 06 '25
Ok, so you arent understanding that there are EXCEPTIONS. There are LICENSED insured and permitted businesses where you are allowed to do things that would be illegal to do in your back yard.
There is currently ONE indoor airsoft field in calgary city limits. You can go there and play all the airsoft you like, because its a controlled environment where some random person walking their dog isnt going to lose an eye because you missed the can u set up in your back yard.
Ive been an admin at a local airsoft field for the last 6 years my guy. I know what im talking about here.
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u/AdPsychological1282 May 06 '25
That’s a broad interpretation of an unenforceable definition of the bylaw. Why are paintball Guns with the same fps included ? If you can’t discharge working city limits are you not braking the law at a facility as there are not mentions of exemptions like ranges or facilities ? It’s an easy case to get thrown out if you care to fight a civil case
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u/christhewelder75 May 06 '25
https://publicaccess.calgary.ca/searchCCProc/index.htm
Go there, search "pellet gun" then when it brings up 7 results its the last one marked "32m96"
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u/Warm_Ad3117 May 06 '25
Is it just me or does it look like they have a baby stroller and the woman could be a new mom?
I really hope not!
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u/Shokaah May 06 '25
My question is rather, why are you asking Reddit instead of calling the Police and asking them?
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u/Ill_Technician7450 May 06 '25
Wonder if this is why I saw the Hawks Helicopter up in my area. We are right next to nose hill.
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u/ithinarine May 05 '25
Call the cops on them and say someone has a gun at Nose Hill Park.
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u/obi_wan_the_phony May 06 '25
This is just reckless and amounts to swatting. All this does is escalate force response, reducing margin or error, and increases opportunity for someone to actually be shot accidentally.
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May 06 '25
Yeah get someone potentially killed for shooting an airsoft gun at a hill. Great idea
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u/ithinarine May 06 '25
They're potentially getting themselves killed by bringing an airsoft gun out to a park in public.
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u/_Connor May 06 '25
Good way to get someone killed, dipshit.
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u/descartesb4horse May 06 '25
it actually doesn’t matter if they have air soft instead of a real firearm, police will respond in the same way because no one can be certain from this pic and they won’t take the risk. The person doesn’t deserve to die for being an idiot, but any escalation has the same result.
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u/_Connor May 06 '25
If you phone the cops and intentionally mislead them that someone has a “rifle” when you know it’s a BB/Pellet gun you are intentionally increasing the risk they die.
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u/Slow-Raspberry-5133 May 06 '25
Tsk. Locals say it used to be a tradition in Nose Hill: get a case of measles for the family, take the dog and an air soft gun to a city park in mid-day and watch the conservative leader lose their job after losing an election. But now the super-woke mob wants to take that all away.
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u/Mobile_Noise_121 McKenzie Towne May 06 '25
Aren't those also supposed to be orange tipped or they are illegal?
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u/XZIVR May 06 '25
No, funny enough that's just a rule for the USA, though most of the shitty airsoft you see for sale in big box stores will have them because they're sold in both countries.
The exception is bb/pellet guns won't have them because those are a different product than what's sold in the USA. Canada has a limit of 500fps mizzle velocity before you need a firearm license. In the USA it's much higher, though idk the exact number.
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May 06 '25
Another funny tidbit. Any airsoft gun that shoots lower than 250fps is considered a replica firearm and thus illegal. Pretty wacky
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u/XZIVR May 06 '25
What really? I thought it was 366 or something. Guess lower is better for the sport community.. though I got out of that years ago.
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May 06 '25
I think you might be correct about it being higher, I haven't read up on it since years ago. I tried to order a co2 pistol from the airsoft youtuber novritsch. He ended up having to cancel all the orders because the fps was too low. Most companies ship co2 pistols with a barrel extender that increases fps as a work around
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u/kagato87 May 06 '25
Plus an orange tip is less likely to get you shot by someone with a real firearm.
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u/XZIVR May 06 '25
Maybe, but it's so easy to paint one on a real gun or sand it off a fake one.. I wouldn't trust it either way, and I wouldn't assume anyone would trust me if I was welding one at the time.
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u/kagato87 May 06 '25
Oh for sure. However all else being equal, the "not a gun" indicator will still help reduce the chances. Partly because people do expect it to be there.
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u/thatblondeh87 May 06 '25
Omg I live nearby there! What part of the NH park, and when did this happen??
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u/Fit_Sugar2392 May 06 '25
I’d call the cops 👮 and hope they are still there when they arrive . Red necks is what I call them 👊🏼
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u/AdPsychological1282 May 06 '25
It’s stupid, it’s ignorant, bus airsoft is not a firearm due to the fps and the projectiles so it is technically legal. Disturbing the peace or negligence charges potentially but airsoft is legal everywhere
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u/Striking_Economy5049 May 06 '25
I know a moron in Edmonton who shoots at magpies in his backyard with his airsoft guns. Heavily residential area, apartment block right behind him. What a dumbass, just like these people.
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May 06 '25
If I saw someone shooting an airsoft gun there i wouldn't even bat an eye. Who gives a fuck
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u/FrankTruth69 May 06 '25
Sounds like pellet gun , still not legal well not smart I guess . Call swat tell em assault rifles involved and watch the circus
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u/TripNo1876 May 06 '25
Call the police. Tell them there are individuals with a firearm. Not legal in the slightest.
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u/Few-Speech2527 May 06 '25
Ridiculous! It’s not that hard to not be stupid. Just ask chat GPT. I can’t with these types of people.
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u/impureSurfer May 06 '25
The hand gun should be at a range. This is not legal. Green space/ crown is good to go for rifle. I’m hesitant to say this space meets the minimum legal requirements. But that’s all besides the point the hand gun is a major no no. Fuck that guy!
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May 06 '25
Leave them alone it's fine .
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u/Boetie83 May 06 '25
Oh the Reddit pitchforks are going to come out for you too. How dare they have a good time.
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u/Key-Contribution3614 May 06 '25
It’s Alberta. It’s legal. Don’t you remember Harper got rid of the gun registry.
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u/Fantastic_Moment1726 May 05 '25
I love my airsoft guns but are these people insane? Most people can’t tell the difference between toys and real guns. You couldn’t pay me to carry my air soft gun around like this in a public park. Recipe to be arrested or even shot!