Spokane Airsoft

A few days ago someone posted in one of the forums that they were upset that we were charging for one of our skirmishes. This person thought for some reason that the skirmish was free. I couldn't figure out how that person came to that conclusion since we posted where the event was, when it would be held and how much it might cost to play.

Then someone else let me know that the reason this person was confused was because there was another group in town organizing airsoft activities for local members of the community which is great because that means there's a growing interest in airsoft in the area hopefully. The more people that are playing, the more opportunities there are for new fields, new events, not to mention that it helps local businesses like Precision Airsoft that sell airsoft weapons and gear.

Here's the dilemma. The teen who has decided to create this new organization decided to call his organization Airsoft Spokane.That's why some people might be confused between Spokane Airsoft and this organization.

Confusion isn't necessarily a good thing so here's a couple things we'd like to clear up.

Spokane Airsoft only plays on lands that we have permission to play on. We have contracted with field owners from Cheney to Colville to host airsoft skirmishes and encampments. Airsoft Spokane, however, is playing on lands such as an area near the Esmerelda Golf Course, as well as the Garden Springs area. Whether or not they have permission to play in public areas is questionable at best as the lands they are playing on fall under the control of the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department and I'd be really surprised if they have permission from the City of Spokane to play airsoft on city land.

Airsoft Spokane claims all of its events are free, which is great for the players that attend their events. However, they solicit donations from players and want to sell memorabilia and concessions to players at their events to offset the costs of such things as running their website (Which is run on a free web server so I'm not sure what the costs are there). Selling stuff means they're a business. Rich checked with the State and they don't have a business license, which means they're not a business and they're not paying taxes. Which is fine as long as you don't get caught.

On the other hand Spokane Airsoft is an LLC registered with the State of Washington. LLC means we're a business. We pay for the costs of running the website, hosting events, entering into contracts with landowners and sell goods at our events and turn a profit which is reinvested back into the community. And, as a business, we pay taxes.

One thing of particular concern is that they have a complete disregard for safety. There are no real rules for safety that their participants abide by according to their website. Anyone who has attended one of our events would know safety is a concern from registration to ENDEX.

A number of us talked over the weekend at the Open House and we felt that it was important we issue the following disclaimer that Spokane Airsoft is in no way connected with Airsoft Spokane in any way, shape or form. We say this because we do not want local law enforcement agencies to think the organizations are one and the same. They are not. We do not condone playing on public property without permissions or agreements in place allowing airsofters to do so. By playing on public land in close proximity to where people live or enjoy the outdoors they put themselves and other people at risk of injury.

Competition is good business. If they end up doing something good it will only make us work harder to do better. As an airsofter it's your choice as to where you want to play. If you want to play with Airsoft Spokane please go ahead. In fact, here's their website: airsoftspokane.webs.com. Go out and play with them if you choose but please keep in mind that Spokane Airsoft is in no way affiliated with this group, which may or may not be violating a number of state, county and city laws and if you choose to play with them you do so at your own risk.