Why Do Airsoft Guns Have Orange Tips?

Airsoft guns are replicas of real firearms. They are mostly used for recreational or competitive purposes, such as war simulations. Despite their use in recreational situations, many airsoft guns are manufactured to look like real-world weapons. To differentiate airsoft guns, manufacturers equip them with orange tips, or orange flash hiders.

Safety

The primary reason airsoft guns have orange tips is to alert emergency personnel and law enforcement officers of their non-lethal and recreational purpose. Lacking the orange tip, an airsoft gun could be misinterpreted as a real firearm. By quickly alerting first responders of their non-lethal purpose, the orange tips ensure the safety of airsoft players.

International Laws

The United Nations passed several laws that mandate the usage of orange tips on airsoft guns. These laws pertain to the import, export, and sales of airsoft guns. These laws allow recreational players and airsoft organizations to participate in international events without worrying about potential legal issues.

Airsoft Field Rules

Most airsoft fields, such as arenas or parks, employ strict rules that insist upon the use of orange tips. These rules are to protect players from potential accidents, or from becoming victims of misinformation. For instance, multiple states have laws restricting the carrying of airsoft guns in the open, and having an orange tip eliminates the possibility of misinterpretation.

Rules of Engagement

During airsoft matches, players must abide by the rules of engagement. These rules involve physically or verbally indicating that a player has been hit' by an airsoft pellet. Without an orange tip, an airsoft gun can easily be mistaken as a real weapon, causing unnecessary confusion and mistrust.

Military Exercises

The primary reason military forces opt for airsoft guns is to simulate real-world combat without the risk of injury. Airsoft guns can be used to simulate the roles of real weapons, such as sniper rifles, without players sustaining critical injuries. However, in order for military personnel to properly differentiate airsoft guns, they often feature orange tips.

Concealment

Many airsoft players opt to cover the orange tip of the airsoft gun. This ranges from modifying the airsoft gun's look or attaching specialized flash hiders. This is done without breaking the law or breaching etiquette, as the orange tip can still be seen when holding the weapon at shoulder level or aiming down sights.

Orange Paint

Some players also color their airsoft guns with orange paint. This allows them to have an aesthetic blending of the orange color in the gun body to signify that it is a replica of a real weapon.

In Summary

Airsoft guns have orange tips to alert first responders, law enforcement personnel, and other players in the immediate vicinity of the gun's non-lethal identity. This orange tip serves a key role in the world of airsoft, as it allows players to legally and safely engage in sport-focused activities. Additionally, through the placement of orange paint and flash hiders, players can complete the look of the airsoft gun while simultaneously communicating its simulated nature.

With this article, readers are now more aware of the importance and significance of the orange tips adorning many airsoft guns. By understanding why airsoft guns must have orange tips, readers can better understand the importance of playing responsibly and following international, state, and field laws.

References:

Adept Gears. 2020. "What Is The Purpose Of An Orange Tip On An Airsoft Rifle?". Adept Gears. https://www.adeptgears.com/guides/orange-tip-on-an-airsoft-gun/

Airsoft Eagle. 2020. "Do Airsoft Guns Need Orange Tips?". Airsoft Eagle. https://www.airsofteagle.com/blog/airsoft/do-airsoft-guns-need-orange-tips/

UDAP. 2019. "Why Do Airsoft Guns Have That Orange Tip?". UDAP. https://www.udap.com/why-do-airsoft-guns-have-that-orange-tip/