Hello again Airsofters. Let me know if you have any leads on a flat piece of dirt between 20,000 and 40,000 square feet. The arena can operate in a semi-remote location in Snohomish County (Pacific Northwest area I.E. Stanwood) with no grid power, water, or sewer, instead in favor of a generator, water tanks, and porta-potties. Theoretically, being only open one or two days a week, it would be more cost effective to use this “off-grid” setup. I would prefer to create a private agreement with a land owner for use of their property, with a profit-sharing program that would allow us to start with a small budget. Otherwise, I will continue to work at my day job as an electrician and save up money for a down payment on a large property.
Almost all properties in Snohomish county are $200,000 or more, which requires a down payment of over $20,000. I have secured second position on several properties with an offer of 30-year amortization with balloon payment options, with the intention of turning the profitable business into a marketable bond that would look great to a potential investor, allowing us to get a property that would be up to $500k, but second position is just that, and we have lost the game every time so far. However, considering that I love airsoft and I still play it and work on guns and airsoft technology, it’s only a matter of time before I save up enough money to make a down payment on a traditional mortgage.
Another topic I’d like to bring up is the latest edition of our rules. At the bottom of the rules section, you will find a new clause that talks about airsoft retaliation, and how we have a zero-tolerance for anything like that. Airsoft fight videos have been growing in popularity, mostly because of the shock and awe factor. I can assure you that fighting will never occur at our club due to the power invested in our admins by Washington State. Our referees will have our full endorsement to detain and arrest anyone who commits misdemeanor or felonious battery on the field. Granted, the offenders will not be assaulted or put into hand cuffs against their will, but they will be asked to willfully remain detained until the police arrive, so that they may accept the consequences of their actions like honorable people should, which would be their only hope of reconciliation. If they attempt to flee, the camera footage and other evidence will be provided to the law, and they will be charged.
As for the video in question, according to the author, the victim was mag dumping, and bullying people. The author then presumably organized a retaliatory strike on the bully, coordinating a move with others to return the favor so to speak, and mag dump the bully. There are so many things wrong with this video, but the worst of it is the lack of an admin who could stop the fight from happening in the first place. Strangely enough, the author casually posted the video online for everyone to see, so there is clearly a lack of good rules and consequences at whatever airsoft arena this is. I can assure you that this will never happen at American Airsoft Club, and due to the nature of our small, highly regulated play area, it’s actually impossible for anyone to get away with this or any other type of fighting. No matter what the situation, it’s never okay to do something like this, and I hope that there was a peaceful and lawful resolution to this conflict. You have my promise as an experienced airsofter that you will never have to fear this type of thing happening in our club.
Send me any links to property or rentals you have in mind, especially if they have a low price per SF/YR, somewhere in the neighborhood of $1000/month. Remember, all we need is a flat, semi-remote piece of dirt and we could start running the CQB matches again right away.
Ryan Atwell
American Airsoft Club
americanairsoftclub@gmail.com