Ottawa's proposed firearms law could extend to airsoft guns

Airsoft guns — air-powered replica guns that shoot plastic pellets — are a hobby for some and a business for others, but Canada's proposed gun law could put an end to both.

Bill C-21, as originally drafted, was designed to ban handguns. Now Ottawa says the prohibition could apply to importing, exporting and selling unregulated replicas that look like modern firearms.

Ken Cheung, owner of 007 Airsoft in Calgary, said many of the products in his shop, which he has been running for the past 25 years, would be considered too realistic under the law if the bill is passed. Cheung's business also supplies prop guns for the movie industry, most recently the Alberta-filmed The Last of Us. 

"If the bill passes the way that it is — that would mean the end of airsoft," he said. 

"If my business is finished, then my livelihood is finished because this is what I've been doing for the last many, many years. This is how I support my family. It's a hard pill to swallow," he said. 

Cheung said it's been a nerve-racking wait for clarity on the situation — to find out what kind of airsoft guns, if any, would be exempt under the bill. 

"There are, for example, sci-fi guns from animes or manga or movies … those guns theoretically would be exempt," he said. 

"However, they still more or less look like a real firearm of some kind. So it's really hard to draw the line. They would have to give us really clear direction of what is acceptable and what is not." 

Audrey Champoux, press secretary to Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, said in an email that since introducing the bill last spring, Ottawa has been working to find a solution that works.

"Bill C-21 is Canada's most significant action on gun violence in a generation," Champoux wrote. 

"As Bill C-21 is currently being review[ed] in committee, we are hopeful that all parties will agree that we must close the loophole in the Criminal Code regarding replica firearms." 

Champoux added that Ottawa wants to ensure the prohibition on importing, exporting and selling applies to all unregulated replicas that look like modern firearms.

Cheung said the popularity of airsoft has taken off in Canada — and some airsoft players worry the federal gun ban could signal the end for their hobby.

"Gun control is a necessary thing, but you have to kind of control when it gets too much," said Calgary airsoft enthusiast Connor Parnham. "Something like this, this shoots harmless plastic BBs. These things don't weigh more than .20 of a gram, so they don't hurt for long if they hurt at all."