Airsoft Safety Guide

• Full-seal eye protection is mandatory at all times on any active airsoft field.
• Standard shooting glasses with open vents are NOT sufficient. BBs can ricochet into gaps.
• Look for ANSI Z87.1-rated or ballistic-rated goggles. Check your field's specific approved list.
• Never remove eye protection while on an active field — even if fogging, wait until you are in the safe zone.
• The American Academy of Ophthalmology documents serious, permanent eye injuries from air guns. This is not a formality.

• Lower face protection (mesh or solid mask) is strongly recommended and required at many fields for all players.
• For players under 18, full-face protection is commonly mandatory.
• Gloves protect hands from stings — especially important in close-range CQB.
• A helmet or bump hat protects against falls and environmental hazards on outdoor fields.

• Every field sets its own rules. Read or listen to the safety briefing before every game.
• Always chrono your gun at the start of each session. Do not assume last week's settings still pass.
• FPS limits vary by field type, gun class, and engagement distance. When in doubt, ask the marshal.
• Joules, not just FPS, matter — heavier BBs carry more energy. Many fields now chrono in Joules.
• Respect engagement distance minimums, especially for high-FPS setups like DMR and sniper class.

• Blind fire — shooting without being able to see your target — is banned at virtually every field.
• You must be able to see what you are shooting at before you pull the trigger.
• This applies to shooting around corners, through holes, or above barricades without looking.
• Violation typically results in immediate ejection from the game or field.

• All weapons must be on safe and pointed in a safe direction in all staging/safe areas.
• Remove or empty magazines in safe zones.
• No dry-firing at most fields — check your field's policy.
• Muzzle discipline: always know where your barrel is pointing.
• Use a barrel sock or cover when in the safe zone if your field requires it.

• Transport airsoft replicas in a closed bag or hard case — always.
• Never display an airsoft replica in public without it in a case. This is a serious public safety concern.
• In the U.S., federal law requires airsoft guns to have a blaze-orange muzzle tip at point of sale. Keep it on.
• Local laws on transport, open carry of imitation firearms, and use of replicas in public vary widely.
• Research and comply with your local, state, and national laws before purchasing or transporting.

Notes for Parents

Airsoft is played by many young people and can be a genuinely positive, structured activity that builds teamwork, communication, and physical fitness. That said, parental awareness and involvement matters.

• Verify the field requires and enforces full-seal eye protection for all players.
• Confirm the field requires parental/guardian waivers for minors.
• Ask the field about age minimums and supervision policies.
• Review the field's safety briefing content before your child's first game.
• Replica firearms must be transported in a bag or case at all times — make sure your child understands this responsibility.

See our dedicated Airsoft for Parents guide for a full overview.

Pre-Game Safety Checklist