Connecticut Law

Question
My teeenage son recently bought an airsoft pistol and rifle neither have been altered and one can clearly see the orange tips. He follows all safety rules and only plays in the woods surrounding our condo. I have checked the association rules for our condo and there is no rules regarding these guns. I have tried to "Google" info but get no definite answers. THe few police officers I speak to have given me conflicting info. Over the winter, a mirror mounted on a tree for drivers was broken, a result of a snow plow, but, a nosey neighbor saw my son and his friends shooting in the woods and assumed it was them that broke it. Now anytime she sees them out my son tells me she is taking picutres of them playing and threatens to call the cops on them. Sorry this is lengthy but I am trying to give you as much info as possible for a more definite answer on airsoft laws.

Thank you in advance for your help.


Answer
Maureen,

Sorry it took me a little time to answer you, but this question actually required some research into Connecticut laws.

First, you need to understand that under the laws of most states, an Airsoft or ''BB gun" or pellet gun of any type is considered to be a firearm.  In most states, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase an Airsoft gun for this reason.  Most of the time, the parents purchase the gun for their children, which is fine.  The reason for the regulation is that since Airsoft guns fire projectiles, safety training is important.  Kid and adults alike need to wear the proper safety gear and understand that the projectiles can cause injury if fired at the wrong places (eyes, bare skin, etc.)

You might pass along to your nosy neighbor the fact that a 6 mm plastic pellet fired from one of these guns is not capable of breaking glass, so it would be virtually impossible to damage a mirror mounted on a tree using an Airsoft gun.  I also wouldn't worry about her 'taking pictures' of the kids playing with their Airsoft.  As long as the kids aren't willfully damaging property, there shouldn't be any issues.

The first law that you need to be aware of is that all Airsoft pistols are required to have a 'blaze orange' muzzle tip.  This is a federal law.  It is intended to prevent misidentification of an Airsoft gun as an actual firearm.  Many Airsoft guns are close replicas of real firearms.  If the 'blaze orange' muzzle is covered or removed, law enforcement or other cannot tell from a distance if it is the 'real thing' or not.  There are many documented cases of robberies or other crimes being committed using Airsoft where the victims couldn't tell the difference.  There are also cases (much fewer though) were law enforcement has engaged with criminals they thought were armed, but who actually had Airsoft guns.  The short message here is don't remove or cover the orange muzzle tip, EVER.

In January, a law was introduced in Connecticut calling for a $100 fine if the orange tip is removed and would allow authorities to confiscate it.   I don't know if it actually passed or not.

The specific law that you are searching for I believe is detailed under Section 53-206 of Connecticut law.  It prohibits the carrying of a BB gun (Airsoft would qualify here) by an individual on their person.  The exceptions to this are when:  1)  a person is taking part in certain supervised or authorized events or competitions under certain circumstances and 2) adding an exception for the carrying of a BB. gun on private property with the authorization of the owner and 3) the transporting of such weapon to or from such property.

So, the short version of all this is that as long as your son is participating in an 'event' and is 'supervised' there is no problem.  Additionally, as long as he is on 'private property' with the authorization of the owner, he is OK.  Or if he is taking his airsoft to and from a friend's house, with the permission of the friend's parents, etc.

You should be aware that if an Airsoft gun is used in the commission of any crime in Connecticut, it is considered to be the same as if the perpetrator used a real firearm.  You should probably impress on you son the need to make absolutely sure that he does not 'pretend' like it is a real gun at any point.

You should be fine as long as you and your son use good judgement about when and where he is allowed to use the Airsoft gun and he is respectful of others and their property.  

I hope this helps you out a bit...

Take care and stay safe!

Doug