We've been receiving monumental support with the overwhelming press coverage we've received, and we appreciate it! Thank you all for backing us! without your help our struggle against the inconsistencies from the CBP and ATF would be nothing!
We've received a considerable amount of tips from you to help us in our endeavor, and we're grateful. One particular item I want to bring to everyone's attention is this gem right here. This link is straight out of the FAQ from help.cbp.gov and explicitly states two things that are rather important in regards to our current case with the CBP and ATF:
"Air soft, paintball, bb guns, and other guns that use a gas or air pellet or mechanical spring action to fire a projectile are not subject to Department of Commerce regulations for toy or imitation firearms that require bright orange plugs or other markers to be affixed to the end of the barrel"
"[The WE M4's] also did not have an orange-blaze tip which is required for all importations of toy guns."
Is anyone else as lost as I am? But wait! there's more! Also stated on the CBP FAQ page is this:
"Make sure the vendor clearly states it is an air soft, paintball, etc. gun. on the shipping documents to avoid confusion over whether or not an ATF import permit is required"
Contrary to the ATF's claim:
"The ATF also confirmed the shipment did not arrive with the proper permits to enter the United States."
Now granted, the factory WE TTI neglected to put "Airsoft Gun" into the shipping manifest and labeled them as "toys", but it's obvious to anyone knowledgeable of firearms that these are Airsoft replicas, and so according to the CBP there are no permits required.
These inconsistencies validate my claims in the article "Airsoft: An Industry Without Standard " that the Customs and Border Protection agents in Tacoma and Seattle don't even know their own laws! We've also heard from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that this situation should have been deferred to them, and not the ATF! If we've violated any principles of importation then it wouldn't be importing "machine guns", but mismanifestation.
We're completely dumbfounded on the Inconsistencies and Lies that have been mounting against the CBP and ATF, and the time for answers is now! Those two agencies need to stop hiding behind the Freedom of Information Act and come clean with the American people!
Please write to the agencies responsible to keep the accountable here.
On 2/26/09 Airsoft Outlet Northwest was interviewed by Portland's KOIN6
in regards to the ATF and CBP seizure of the Outlet's WE TTI M4 GBB
M4's
Please help us by notifying the Department of Justice Inspector General of the multiple unjustified seizures that we've experienced from the CBP and ATF.
"The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) investigates allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct by Department of Justice employees, contractors, and grantees. The OIG is an independent entity within the Department of Justice that reports to both the Attorney General and Congress on issues that affect the Department's personnel or operations."
Hotline: (contact information in English and Spanish): (800) 869-4499
Fax: (202) 616-9881
Also, the public affairs agents who are responsible for the press release:
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Customs Public Affairs Liaison, Portland-Tacoma
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Special Agent, Public Affairs Officer
BATF Seattle Field Division
206-389-5859
The Forest Grove National Guard unit, 2-218 Field Artillery Battalion, came out to the store today to present a certificate of appreciation for our continued support of their Battalion. LTC Robert Fraser Jr, the commanding officer, presented the certificate and we were glad to accept. We look forward to continuing to serve the Oregon National Guard in their future endeavors.
I would be stating the obvious if I said that Airsoft is a competitive sport, it's part of the game to out-maneuver, out-gun, and outperform your competition. From what I can tell, this competitive spirit doesn't end at the field, it extends all the way up the distribution channel to the manufacturers and extends out horizontally to Airsoft forums and teams with their inter-community rivalries. This is what makes this industry and sport so fantastic to work and play in; it allows the natural competitive spirit that is in all of us to come out and get a breath of fresh air.
If you follow the Associated Press then you may know about a ridiculous article full of disinformation that's spreading across media outlets like wildfire. The jist of the story is that our brave customs agents at the Port of Tacoma made a "good interception" of WE TTI M4 GBB's "Machine Guns"...
How ignorant.
The owner of Airsoft Outlet Northwest will be addressing this fear mongering on the Lars Larson Show on 750 AM KXL at 2p.m. today. If you miss this broadcast then you can check the archives and listen to it there. He also has a National Radio show, but i'm not quite sure if the programs will be the same.
Aside from the M19 Airsoft mortar that we've recently received, we've also picked up several high end replicas that will be sure to turn some heads. Included in our latest shipment is:
These are all very unique, high performing AEG's that will be sure to make you stand out on the field. Be sure to check them out and give us a call if you have any specific questions.
We've been catching up from the SHOT Show and taking care of loose ends since the end of the expo, but we've got a lot of news that hasn't been posted yet. Much of the airsoft highlights have been covered, but we'll go over the KWA airsoft products in depth so you have a better idea of what to expect this summer.
With some of the most anticipated news in the airsoft industry, KWA announced their new 2010 lineup at the SHOT Show. Some of their new products, like the new KWA KZ75, a replica based on the CZ75, and the KP8 Compact Tactical, were announced last year, but will actually end up on store shelves this year. Other products like the new KWA 1911 PTP series and the KWA MP9 were hoped for and hinted at, but were confirmed at the show. The KWA Gas Blowback M4 series, however, was wholly unexpected and is still the buzz of milsim players and skirmishers alike who are interested in gas powered rifles for realism. Here's all the data we have on these items so far:
We've written up a new page called Airsoft 101 for anyone that's looking for some general knowlege on the basics of Airsoft. The page covers everything from the proper bb weight to use for your gun to how to play a variety of different games. Be sure to give it a read, and if you think we've left out any important information then be sure to email us via our contact form.
Well Adam and I are back from covering the airsoft industry at the SHOT Show, it's too bad that we only had two full days to get as much information to you as possible, but I think we got the most important things covered. We'll try to write up a summary later this week and have it posted. In the meantime feel free to check our initial reports and our Facebook page which has all of our mobile posts that were live from the floor.
the PTS AEG's have an estimated relase in April or May
UMAREX
the 416 GBB carbine will retail around $410, will shoot approximately 410fps, and will have a 35rd magazine that will most likely be proprietary.
UMAREX has also stated that they're going to begin production of high end AEG's starting with HK style AEG's and GBB pistols. Hopefully by April they'll have a full a line of MP5's, G36's, and 416's in both electric and gas.
Another interesting note is that we've received word that HK is actually suing distributors of Echo1 and Classic Army for trade dress on any G36 style AEG. It sounds like HK wants a slice of the pie and is doing exactly what Glock has tried to do, let's just hope that HK doesn't make sub-par junk replicas like Glock.
G&P M4 RAS Commando w/ Free Battery
The G&P M4 RAS Commando(GP613) is a compact airsoft rifle specifically designed for CQB use. The full metal rail system can mount a variety of airsoft accessories, and the collapsible crane stock houses the battery.
KWA KP45 Tactical NS2 Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistol
The KP45 Tactical from KWA is styled after the famous USP Tactical pistol. The KP45 Tactical features the new NS2 gas system, which delivers increased performance and increased efficiency. This pistol also features a full metal slide and barrel, which g
Echo1 Master Series MP5A4 Airsoft Rifle
The new Echo1 Master Series MP5s feature full metal construction and RIS with new innovations, as well as two hicap magazines and two complete gearboxes, making this the most versatile MP5 ever.
Echo1 PDW Task Force Black Airsoft Rifle
The Echo1 PDW Task Force Black is an all metal airsoft sub-machine gun that's styled after the MP5 PDW. This is a compact AEG ideal for use in CQB.
MAG G36C 100Rnd Midcap Magazine 2 Pack
MAGs G36C midcap magazine holds 100rd and fits CA, TM, KWA, and other G36 airsoft rifles.
ICS SIG SG 551 SWAT Airsoft AEG Rifle w/ Free Battery
The ICS SIG SG 551 SWAT features an all metal body with SIG Arms trademarks. The 551 is an extremely functional AEG that features ambidextrous functionality with ergonomic style.
