We the Undersigned   do hereby petition and request the Burrough of Anchorage Alaska to amend the following by adding an exemption to 

§ 8.25.030. Unlawful use or possession of firearms. 

A.  It is unlawful for any person to knowingly:

                1. Shoot, discharge or flourish any firearm, air rifle or air pistol within the Municipality of Anchorage except

                                a. In those areas open to the public for lawful hunting,
                                b. Upon established shooting ranges, or
                                c. On the business premises of a commercial gunsmith holding a valid federal firearms license, provided that a firearm may only be shot or discharged

                                                i.  By the holder of the federal firearms license, or an owner, director or employee of the person holding the license,
                                                ii.  On business premises located outside of a residential district, as the term residential district is used in Title 21,
                                                iii. Into a bullet trap or clearing barrel that effectively and actually receives and captures any bullet, pellet, shot, or similar projectile shot or discharged from the firearm.

                2. Possess on the person, in the interior of a vehicle in which the person is present, or use or discharge, a firearm while such person is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance as defined in AS 11.71.900.

                                B. This section shall not apply to any officer of the United States, the state or the municipality who is authorized to use firearms in the enforcement of any law or ordinance and who is actually engaged in such enforcement.

                                C. Violation of this section is a class B misdemeanor. In addition, the firearm shall be forfeited to the Municipality of Anchorage. If the conviction under subsection A. of this section is for the discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, the court may order forfeiture of the defendant's interest in the vehicle to the municipality in addition to any other penalties.

                By amending and adding to § 8.25.030 A (1) section D to allow for and permit the creation of regulated game fields; outside the residential neighborhoods for use in the sport of “AIRSOFT” and “MIL-SIM” games where as the use of air powered {Co2, Green Gas, Compressed Gas etc.}and spring powered weapons that discharge plastic bb’s measuring 6 to 8 millimeters in diameter weighing up to .5 grams at a speed of 500fps and blow to be discharged between opposing players in an elimination style game whereas each player; utilizing proper safety and protective gear event promoting various common modes of game play.  These types of play can also be utilized by military, state and local law enforcement for rehearsing very types of training missions such as “active shooter training” where as those involved utilize non-lethal live fire airsoft weapons modeled after real world weapons for a more realistic and substantial training program that will benefit our communities. 

Airsoft, originated in Japan where it was first popularized, as a team-based shooting game in which participants eliminate opposing players out of play by tagging them with spherical plastic projectiles shot from low-power airguns called airsoft guns.

Although similar to paintball in concept and gameplay, airsoft pellets do not leave visible markings on their target and hits are not always apparent. Though the pellet impacts can leave small bruises or welts on exposed skin (and so protective gear is still recommended), the game relies heavily on an honor system in which players who have been hit are expected to call themselves out of play in keeping with honesty and sportsmanship.

The airsoft guns used are mostly magazine-fed, with some having manual/battery motor-powered spring-piston pump power plants similar to Nerf Blasters, or pneumatically powered by replaceable compressed gas (e.g. propane ("green gas"), 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or CO2) canisters. Many airsoft guns also have mounting platforms compatible with genuine firearm accessories, and most cosmetically resemble real firearms. This makes them popular for military simulation and historical reenactments. There are also professional gun safety and weapon manipulation training conducted with airsoft in some fields, such as law enforcement training, due to better safety and lower cost. The United States Coast Guard, for instance, officially adopted airsoft for training in 2018.

Airsoft gameplay varies in style and composition, but often ranges from action shooting to short organized live action role-playing (LARP) scenarios, close quarters battle skirmishes, military simulations (MilSim) or historical reenactments. It is played in indoor courses or outdoor fields. Combat situations on the field may involve the use of genuine military tactics to achieve objectives set in each game. Participants may attempt to emulate the tactical equipment and accessories used by modern military and police organizations. A game is normally kept safe by trained professionals acting as supervisors and marshals.

Before gameplay, an airsoft gun's muzzle velocity is usually checked through a chronograph and usually measured in feet per second (FPS) or joules, a measurement for kinetic energy. Some countries have a set velocity or muzzle energy restriction; guns shooting over the legal muzzle velocity can be confiscated. Some playing fields further restrict minimum engagement distances, requiring players to yell "Bang Bang!" or another phrase instead of actually shooting other players at close distances. This is done to prevent any potential injuries from high-energy pellets shot at short ranges.  [source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft ]                 

These games would be played inside contained fields, buildings or other places designed to house such game play and will provide additional revenue to the Burrough though business licensing fees, taxes from the creation of new business ventures.

We the undersigned respectfully request this mode of game play be permitted with in the Burrough of Anchorage with the amendment § 8.25.030 A.1 with the addition of section D permitting exemptions for Airsoft play.