Legality

[HackD]

As Mr. McIlmoyle says, if you weren't charged, you aren't convicted, and therefore no airsoft weapons ban is in effect. As such, there is no need for a 'pardon'. That said, you are definitely now in the police system as a subject contact regarding a weapons call.

The difference between Officer Friendly giving you a lecture, and a tactical unit force-testing your apartment locks in a take-down probably came down to the color of the airsoft gun that you were irresponsibly mishandling. Whomever called the police, at least knew that a clear weapon was likely non-lethal, and reported it as such, and the police responded appropriately.

If you so choose to take part in this sport, do so ultra-responsibly. I'd suggest a guitar case for storage, and never take it out of that case outside of a playing field, unless it's in an interior room with no windows. Otherwise, if previously aforementioned neighbor/observer decides to make a repeat call with an updated weapons description, Officer Friendly and his backup team won't be quite so quick to deliver just stern advice first..

I've sort of been down that road before.. and in my own opinion, not really any individuals involved were at fault.. but it did result in a full-on takedown of my college shared residence - a dog catcher picking up a mutt, reported a spitball airgun with a wood-stock carelessly stored on a coffee table as a sawed-off shotgun, and the police using the pretext of a minor police call a few weeks before, knocked out all stops in the repeat visit. Even 20+ years on, that was an experience that i'd personally not like to repeat again in my lifetime - and i wasn't even in the residence at the time.

[ILLusion]

You shouldn't own guns because you obviously lack the smallest bit of common sense. You don't "deserve" to own anything remotely close to a gun if you can't even respect it for what it is.

Secondly, what planet are you from, thinking that you have some self-deserved "right" of owning toy guns? Owning one is a privilege, not a right. And you're already proven you don't deserve the privilege by your actions.

[Curo]

Cause you pay taxes you deserve something?

I wish this worked with speeding tickets.

Good luck lad your going to need it. I know children who are smart enough not to do this!

[-=ArchAngel=-]

Its not illegal for you to own airsoft guns, but it is illegal to discharge them within city limits unless you are on property that has the proper licensing etc. He could have charged you right there and then for breaking the law but decided not to out of the kindness of his heart.
When he said that if you are caught with airsoft toys again you will be charged, that means DONT HAVE YOUR AIRSOFT OUT IN PLAIN VIEW FOR PEOPLE TO SEE OR YOU WILL REGRET IT. Simple as that.

[Cliffradical]

I'm going to jump in for one thing only; please don't slag paintball.

Anyone playing paintball lives under the same restrictions, decencies, and common sense.

It only gets a bad reputation because the gear is so readily available, and thus the gene-pool is equally dilute.
Airsoft vs. Paintball is a Soccer vs. Football debate, or even Rugby vs. Football.

On topic; OP, you did a very irresponsible thing.
Please learn more about the history of gun ownership in Canada and take some lessons from a sober and experienced individual before you touch anything resembling a firearm again.

[Jackals]

There is a very simple legal concept that a few people mentioned, but I really really really want to say it again.

IF IT LOOKS LIKE A REAL GUN IT IS TREATED AS A REAL GUN in the eyes of the law.

Example, you shooting off your SOFT AIR over your balcony. The police have the right to charge with a slew of FIREARMS OFFENCES. Not only are these indictable offences but they would also more than likely give you a lifetime ban from owning an actually firearm as well.

Enough people have ragged on you here for being a dumbass, a remark you have already acknowledged in your OP. Does this mean that you should stick to paintball, maybe, does it mean you don't deserve to play airsoft? I don't think so.

Here is the KEY point a lot of airsofters forget, some paintball guns from a distance look just as real as airsoft guns. Paintballers are facing the same CBSA issues we do for some guns.

If you do stick to paintball, take what is said here to heart, because like it or not, you do something stupid like that with a paintball gun your looking at firearms offences and that ain't good.

[Darksoul]

Think of it this way, would the response have been any different if it was a paintball gun you were carelessly shooting from the balcony? How about a pellet gun? Your rather lucky it was a clearsoft.

As far as that "never own them again" goes, its entirely up to you. Yes, its very unlikely that the particular friendly officer who spoke to you the first time will ever see you with it again (assuming of course, you learn from the experience and store/transport/use them properly), however your likely now in "the system" as being the cause of/person of interest in a weapons call, future carelessness (ie, getting another call) will bring this up.

The most worrying part of your comment was your apparent attitude of entitlement to own the gun. I suggest losing that attitude quickly, and realize that it was YOU who made the mistake and learn from it.

[surebet]

I felt like a moron for hitting on the barmaid yesterday, half drunk.

Thanks for making me feel better in comparison.

Ownership of airsoft guns is not illegal.
Firing an airgun within city limits is illegal in 99% of the towns I looked into, and I looked into a lot of city bylaws. That's a municipal fine.
Firing an airgun in a way that would put the public in danger is covered under different chapters of the CCC. That's a criminal charge.

Stating that you have a high paying job and then spouting off about being owed toy gun ownership only reinforces the image that you are an immature douchebag.

Get in contact with a local group of players ASAP, they might be able to salvage you. Other than that, keep the guns out of sight and consider pursuing another hobby.

[Drake]

paulidis, you're a fucking moron plain and simple.

Do everyone, including yourself, a huge favor and forget airsoft exists.



Now GTFO, there's no reason for you to be on a forum for a non-existent product.