This gun and those like it could be illegal if Bill C-21 is passed (Photo: CKPG File Image)

By Caden Fanshaw

BILL C-21

‘It’s the death of the sport’: PG Airsoft says airsoft guns unfairly targeted in new bill

Feb 21, 2021 | 5:20 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Last week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government proposed new gun control legislation under Bill C-21.

A bill that is complex to understand to begin with says Shaun Allen, President of Prince George Airsoft.

“Initially my response was it can’t be that bad,” says Allen. “But ultimately it’s the death of the sport.”

In Bill C-21 under the first section, the proposed legislation states:

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replica firearm means any device that is designed or intended to exactly resemble, or to resemble with near precision, a firearm that is designed or adapted to discharge a shot, bullet or other projectile at a muzzle velocity exceeding 152.‍4 m per second and at a muzzle energy exceeding 5.‍7 Joules, and that itself is not a firearm, but does not include any such device that is designed or intended to exactly resemble, or to resemble with near precision, an antique firearm;

Allen says that the legislation essentially means that would make many airsoft guns which are considered replicas illegal if Bill C-21 is passed.

Conservative MP Bob Zimmer spoke to CKPG News when the proposed legislation was first announced last Wednesday and said he was looking forward to debating the bill and the many glaring issues inside it.

Allen says he has spoken to Zimmer and hopes to see the bill reworded or an amendment added to exempt airsoft weapons.

The airsoft guns are not far off from real guns if you are looking at them from a distance says Allen who understands why they may create fear. He says he’s willing to accept stricter rules to transport the weapons if it means they can remain legal in Canada.

This comes as Prince George Airsoft begins its transformation of an old planer mill on River road into a large-scale airsoft facility.

It’s a facility that Allen says could bring tourism to the region when travel restrictions are lifted, locally the group has hundreds of players who are involved.

“The only thing I can say is if you don’t agree, if you agree with Bill-C-21, I am not attacking you at all. All that I ask is that you take the time to do some research, don’t just be ignorant and blunt, and say it doesn’t matter because it does. There’s a lot of families and businesses who would be put on the street because of this bill. It’s destroying an industry,” says Allen.