2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jun 15, 2015 15:22:20 GMT -5
Apparently this past week some french teenagerswere trying out some smoke pots they created using a receipe they got on line. Their mixture was wrong as well as their packaging and instead of smoke it exploded and killed Three teenagers and severely wounded a fourth. The incident occurred at an unauthorized location and a structure was destroyed. The senseless tragedy occured near Lyon. Because there were airsoft replicas present it was reported as an "airsoft accident". Needless to say this got lots of negative publicity for airsoft. The report on Thumpies said there are 25,000 airsofters in France. This was not an Airsoft event and the incident DID not occurs at a field that gave permission for the young people to use. I have revised this post upon investigating it further.
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stuka
Sergeant
The one and only
Posts: 1,205
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Post by stuka on Jun 15, 2015 17:38:31 GMT -5
I actually know a guy that messed up that recipe as well, he was in the hospital with burns but he was ok. This is most unfortunate and I am sorry this has happened to the teens and their families
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DRK
Private
4 Shoei MG-42's; 3 Shoei MP-44's
Posts: 143
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Post by DRK on Jun 15, 2015 19:15:15 GMT -5
It's like cooking crank; don't know what your doing and boom. It makes me wonder how countries can ban manufactured products like Taginn rounds and homemade ingredients to fabricate something on your own is possible.
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Post by droopaille on Jun 16, 2015 12:24:46 GMT -5
I'm surprised that this news came to you.
This is a revelution in France, all forums, facebook are speaking about it. Attorney had real strong and bad words about airsoft but it is really wrong. There guys didn't play airsoft when it happened. Airsoft is not the cause, but all reporters make conflation and don't verify informations, they just want to make the buzz (as we say here). Of course good thinking people trust them because airsfot is decribed as a role playing game in the 90s : this is a game for bad people.
Don't forget that the attack of 11 january is still in memories, so people who play with weapons and explosives are very attractive for medias. Airsoft community had made a petition for having corrections and apologies from media, over 3000 signatures.
Even if it is a unfortunate for famillies, the reallity is that 4 stupid guys was making chemicals explosive with all dangers that involve.
Did you all never make roquet, banger, smoke when you were younger ? For me this is yes, many time. One day I made a roquet but in reality it exploded as a grenade, great lucky that no one be wounded or more. I was stupid but I didn't know it. I never did it again.
What is sure is that airsoft will have dark days front.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jun 16, 2015 12:38:29 GMT -5
Droopaille,
I was anxious to hear from you about this as I knew you would be on top of things. Any negatives associated with guns (airsoft or otherwise) are going to sensationalized by the media and all of us in this hobby have an obligation to make wise decisions and act prudently. That means select locations that are authorized and descreit. Use gun cases and where appropriate post signage about whats going on. Discuss actions that are wise and appropriate if law enforcement shows up. Consider always their fears and apprehensions. Do not use pyro or simulated explosives unless you absolutely know what you are doing. Consider fire hazards and potential injuries. Use pneumatic mortars ONLY if you KNOW they are safely produced. (plastic components degrade from use and sometimes fail from the extreme pressure which can be fatal.). Wear protective eye wear that exceeds minimum requirements (by a lot)
Consider an uninformed outsiders perspective about what we do and be mindful and respectful of their understandable fears about who we are and what we do. Have fun but be mature about the duty to support this hobby by your actions. The fact that airsoft guns were present at this tragic event is all the media needed to indict airsofts role in this occurance.
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Post by droopaille on Jun 16, 2015 13:07:59 GMT -5
All articles treat about airsoft and not about chemical. This is what you can read or ear (it pass on tv) : - all reporter use the word weapon while it is forbiden in our community, only use "replica" - airsoft is practical by minor (wrong, 18yo in France) - airsoft has no framexwork (wrong, we have a national federation, and rules in all associations) - airsoft players use chemicals for playing (yes some guys do that, but the majority of associations forces to use manufacturing products)
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jun 16, 2015 13:51:36 GMT -5
When I solicit locations I find better support an acceptance when I describe what we will be doing as a living history event or film project. In both cases I am accurate with the description but the reception seems better than airsoft battle.
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Post by droopaille on Jun 16, 2015 14:24:18 GMT -5
It is more easy with the historical context with WW2.
I forget to say that your title is quite evocative : "airsoft accident" is real far from what it is really happened
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Post by insterburger on Jun 16, 2015 16:55:36 GMT -5
This kind of thing is a big reason why whenever people come up with pyro-based designs for bazookas, etc., I always try to voice a word of caution. I don't know the details of what happened in France, and I'm not saying everything that uses a combustible is inherently dangerous, but with anything that uses fire or explosives there is a need for an extra layer of caution and common sense. Moreover, I believe the legal dynamics in most place shift considerably when combustible or explosive materials come into play. Safety first-- no level of realism is worth an injury, let alone a death.
Prayers for the families involved.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jun 16, 2015 18:53:45 GMT -5
Droopailles makes a good point. My thread Caption actually adds to the hype and further misrepresents the facts. I will go back and try to change it.
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