Safety

While airsoft guns are safer than a real firearm, they are by no means safe. Airsoft weapons should be treated the same as a real firearm; some of the safety precautions that anyone who is handling or shooting an airsoft rifle should follow are: to wear protective lenses or goggles, to keep their finger off of the trigger until ready to fire, and only point the gun in a safe direction. Shooters are advised to never point their weapons at animals, nor at unprotected or non-playing people. There are more safety precautions that are included in the user manuals for airsoft weaponry. The power source of the airsoft gun, be it gas, a manual cocking spring, or an electric motor does not affect how safe or unsafe the gun is.

The majority of airsoft guns are operated by an electric motor and powered by a battery. While usually safe when unmodified, any work done to the electrical system can pose an inexperienced airsofer a shock or fire hazard. This is normally only an issue when the airsoft gun is used with a power source it is not rated for, i.e. a Gas Blow-Back Glock 17 rated for 134A gas used with Propane, or a low end electric.

In the United States of America, representing an airsoft weapon as a real firearm is a federal felony; for this and safety concerns, all airsoft weapons in the United States are required to have the front quarter inch of their muzzle(s) painted blaze orange.

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