Airsoft Legality Question (Kelowna, BC)

[diggnURgrave]

So I have recently started getting into airsoft and last week I went over to my friend's house to have a few 3v3 games. He owns a Christmas tree farm so we weren't in view of the road. Now I know it is legal to discharge an airsoft gun on private property that is not in view to the public, but I had heard earlier this year that Kelowna was going to issue a bylaw prohibiting the discharge of an airsoft gun within city limits but the Kelowna city limits did not have that bylaw present on their website. I also would like clarification because I don't know if there is a provincial law thay orohibits the firing of airsoft guns in city limits in BC. So basically, I just want to know if I can have an airsoft fight with my friends at this tree farm or in city limits period. Any help is much appreciated.

[Styrak]

Most if not all cities have bylaws prohibiting the discharge of airguns and firearms within city limits. Private property has nothing to do with it.

[anthon]

I see it this way. Your on a tree farm, with tons of trees blocking view lines, and your playing a small game with friends. As long as your not shooting while people are working/picking trees, and you can't be seen from the road ( and are deep enough that no bbs will even make it close to the road). Then play all you want.

[Darklen]

That was an easy Google:

Kelowna Firearm Bylaw

This is from 2007 so you might want to contact Kelowna City Hall to see if it's current.

Similar bylaw here in Red Deer,AB. We had to get a permit to have our indoor range. Similar conditions as well ( insurance, no outside access, noise restrictions, etc.). We're one of three business to have the permit in Red Deer.

I'd strongly advise everyone check with their local municipality to verify the legality of discharging their airsoft guns within the "city" limits. Most will have one and airsoft guns would be considered firearms for the purposes of the bylaw.

[Danke]

If he's got a tree farm then he must have a truck. You guys can just drive up to the regular events. They play every Sunday out there.

[w1lp33]

Woohoo, just thought I'd check the bylaws for Sarnia...

Exceptions: "Part 2.3 of this By-Law does not apply:

to the discharge of a paintball, BB, pellet, or other
type of air-gun with a velocity of 152.4 m/sec (500
ftjsec) or less, on a single parcel of land containing 2
acres or more; "

Part 2.3: "No person shall discharge a firearm or bow, or be in possession
of a loaded firearm or bow, within that portion of the City shown
within the heavy lines on the map attached hereto as Schedule
"B", and described in Schedule "C", except as authorized by Part
3.1."

So unless I'm reading it wrong, if you have 2+ acres of land in Sarnia, you're good to go airsoft wise :-)

=== EDIT: Tho it would still be prudent to alert the police to what you're doing, so as not to get a "We got a call about guys with guns" visit from the local SWAT... ===

[diggnURgrave]

Well I wouldn't really think that the police would get a call. We're a bunch of teenagers with clear, orange-tipped guns.

[HackD]

Originally Posted by diggnURgrave

Well I wouldn't really think that the police would get a call. We're a bunch of teenagers with clear, orange-tipped guns.

You could be unpleasantly surprised... Suzie Soccer-mom tends to drop a dime at the slightest socialist outrage.

[redzaku]

Originally Posted by diggnURgrave

Well I wouldn't really think that the police would get a call. We're a bunch of teenagers with clear, orange-tipped guns.

well, you should wait to be 18 then, so you can get into the games legally without worrying about getting into trouble with the bylaws of kelowna and get aged verified to have access with better rifles

[Danke]

There have been at least a half dozen takedowns in Kelowna over toy guns this year.

Not airsoft; toys. The general public seems sensitive there.

[MaciekA]

Let he who have not played within city limits from time to time cast the first indicting comment...

I can count at least 2 fields I go to from time to time that are almost certainly within some city limits, both of which the O.P.P and/or local police are aware of, and in the one case actually regularly stop by to check if everything is running smoothly.

In both cases the field owners proactively reached out to local authorities and keep a regular communication channel open.

That, and they talked to their neighbors.

[Ricochet]

There is no such thing as breaking the law responsibly.

[Trev140_0]

Bylaws are written very clearly for each municipality.

Often, the municipality will zone cities with maps that allow activity to occur in some parts of the city and not in others.

But take for example Mississauga. You are not allowed to discharge period.

Unless you are a zoned airsoft/paintball place and or have contacted the city and got a permit.

Other places like London, Hamilton etc do not allow it in the city proper, but then allow you to do it on the farms etc. Often putting you in with the same zoning for hunting with real guns, so they go into the part of distance from roads, neighbours etc.

Honestly man, call the city and tell them. You would be surprised how pro active they are when you call FIRST and clear it.

[MaciekA]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

There is no such thing as breaking the law responsibly.

I think this is an overly-broad and simplistic characterization of the situation. Perhaps you meant to caution the OP with some strong words, and that's fine with me, but some realities remain that we all have to deal with:

Firstly, breaking the rules often forms the basis for many laws to be changed, repealed, or outright improved. We've seen it happen. To turn around and issue a binary statement like the above now is to take for granted subtle shifts that have allowed our sport to gain legitimacy.

Secondly, most people on this forum have ample experience with operating within grey areas of the law. Just ask all the people that have dealt with the gradual importation since The Old Days. Again, things change.

Third, you have plenty of examples of people who are operating in these grey areas with the blessings of authorities. You guys may not realize this... but city limits in some areas can be HUGE. In the GTA, nobody can play airsoft legally if they are playing on private land anywhere within 100km of the city. Don't believe me? Feast your eyes on just the tip of the city limits iceberg, a portion of the west end of the GTA:

Hamilton:


Milton:


Guelph:


Burlington:


etc etc.. As you can see you quickly end up with nowhere to play milsims or anything like that unless you enjoy playing only 4 times a year, 3-4 hours away from home. I could go on with the map examples, but I'm sure you get the point here, which is that a lot of people in my area have had to reach out to the authorities to legitimize their activity.

This is, quite literally, "breaking the law responsibly".The fact that it complicates liability and insurance claims doesn't change anything. People are doing it. There's no basis for the dramatic growth of airsoft retail if they weren't doing it. We *have* to deal with it. You don't see anyone charging boxers with assault.

Things may be different in BC, I don't know, but I'd rather not be feeding youngsters and newbies this fiction that we're all perfectly straight edge when it comes to this particular aspect of our sport...

[Danke]

Originally Posted by MaciekA

Things may be different in BC, I don't know

The situation in Kelowna is the public are hyper sensitive and will call the police when they see a gun. We're talking about neon colours in the hands of a kid in a car seat.

The situation in Kelowna is that there was a well publicized takedown of some local players carrying AEGs down a walking path.

Any Christmas tree farm I've seen around here has been setup with very good road access so in other words in public view. Since I don't know what farm it is can't speculate further. It could be way up some back road with no traffic and neighbors who are aware of what's going on and down with it.

Those are dice though that I don't suggest people roll. There's a pretty laid back group in the area and the only real hitch about getting to the games is you have to drive there. If you're 15 etc. that can be a problem.

Opinion would have me saying the fellow who started this thread is sensible and doing his due diligence.