Due to its realistic look, non-violent nature, and relatively cheap cost, the replicas are extremely efficient for the purposes below.

Recreational Use
   
Like Paintball, airsoft guns have become a popular means for fun and competitive shooting games.  Different levels of competition exist, from multi-day tournaments which resemble strategic military missions, to friendly games among friends.  Games for beginners include manhunt, capture the flag, hostage rescue, king of the hill, and team death matches.  Like paintball, contestants can either buy an airsoft gun or rent to compete.  The games have grown considerably in popularity due to its competitive, tactical, honest (contestants must yell out when they are hit), and violent nature.  They are essentially real life situations with non-violent consequences. 

Rules for Common Games

Manhunt: Players are split up into two teams-hunters and the hunted.  The "prey" is given a head start and must reach a certain safe zone before they are shot by the hunters.  Both teams are given airsoft pistols.
Capture the Flag: Each team has a base with a flag;the objective is to bring the flag back to your individual base.
Hostage rescue: A team of hostages and rescuers must work together to outsmart a team of guards.
King of the Hill: A group of individuals barricade themselves in a hill or a bunker.  A melee ensues, and the last man standing wins.
   
In addition to games, airsoft guns can also be used for target practice or shooting competitions.

Law Enforcement and Military Simulations

Perhaps the airsoft gun's most efficient means, many law enforcement agencies and military units have adopted the replica as a tool for simulation. Unlike simulations that use real firearms, airsoft guns do not cause accidental deaths or serious injuries.  The replicas are a great tool for simulation because of their uncanny feel, weight, and look to that of real guns.  Airsoft guns have an assortment of models including M16s, m4s, grenade launchers, and AK-47s.  All of the models hold the same amount of ammunition as their real counterparts and require similar loading techniques as well.  Another advantage of airsoft simulation is the cost involved; real firearms are often double the cost necessary to buy airsoft guns.        

Hollywood and Instructional Use 

Because airsoft guns are so authentic in look and feel, they are commonly used in movies, educational teachings about guns, and re-enactments of famous wars.  Airsoft guns first hit Hollywood in the mid 90's, following the accidental death of actor Brandon Lee.  Tragic events such as Lee's death are now avoidable with the use of airsoft accessories. 
   
Airsoft guns are commonly used for educational purposes as well.  Demonstrating the proper loading, handling, and firing techniques is infinitely safer with a replica gun than it is with a real firearm.

Airsoft guns have essentially replaced live firearms in regards to all simulation matters.  Whether it be movies, war simulations, training procedures, or recreational use, the airsoft gun has greatly reduced the number of accidental deaths throughout the world.

a handgun.  As oppose to a lead based bullet, airsoft guns fire plastic or rubber BB pellets at an average of 400 feet per second.  When Japan outlawed firearms, a safer substitute to protect oneself was highly demanded. Manufacturers began to produce an assortment of spring based non-lethal replicas of handguns, rifles, shotguns, and semi-automatic weapons. Through innovation these replicas then were produced in smaller sizes of 6 and 8 millimeter calibers. The invention then morphed several times over, gaining popularity with each innovation. Airsoft guns eventually hit the United States market in the early 90's for recreational activities, military training, and as a self-defense substitute. 
   
The first manufacturers of airsoft guns in Japan were popular toy companies Masudaya, Fujimi, and Matsushiro.  These companies marketed the replica guns as a safer BB gun-one which you can shoot your friends with, similar to the manner of paintball guns.  Each gun carried a specific pellet that was launched through a spring based mechanism. To reduce costs, a universal pellet was instituted that could be used for all airsoft guns.  With a standardized ammunition produced by each company, the costs were so low that every consumer could easily afford an airsoft gun and a substantial amount of ammunition.  The popularity of the gun soared in Japan.  Kids were competing in airsoft gun leagues, women bought them as a means to protect themselves, men loved firing them, it was a product that had a diverse and enormous demand.  Although still isolated solely in Japan, airsoft guns hit America due to the intervention of a well known company.      
   
The Daisy company had been widely recognized as the premiere producer of BB guns in the United States.  With the growing popularity overseas, the company decided to begin marketing the airsoft gun in the mid 1980s.  The Daisy company through the manufacturing of the Maruzen company of Japan, began to repackage airsoft guns and ship them to the United States for sale.  The first line to hit the United States included pistols, shotguns, rifles, and various sub-machine guns.  Shortly after their introduction into the United States, the economy in Japan went through a devastating recession.  The toy companies that produced the airsoft gun went under and the market for the airsoft gun eventually crumbled overseas.  Although manufacturers folded in Japan, the airsoft gun made a strong impact in the United States through improvements on use, style, and variation.
  
Airsoft guns have been adopted in American society for competitive and recreational purposes.  Like paintball, airsoft guns have their own comprehensive leagues and competitions.  Americans use the replica guns as a means to recreate famous wars, compete in airsoft gun competitions, and as training methods for law enforcement and military personnel.  The industry has gone through numerous face lifts, as innovations such as grenade launchers, grenades, mines, claymores, and an assortment of new guns hit the market annually.  With an assortment of uses and creations, the airsoft gun market appears to be gaining strength each year.

airgun use still faces regulations imposed by the government. Airsoft gun laws vary based on country-use or possession is considered illegal in countries such as South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Canada's airsoft gun law prohibits the importation of any "replica" guns. The United States has more complex airsoft gun laws, which vary based on state, and focus primarily on importation, distinction from a real firearm, and possession.
   
Federal airsoft gun laws are more lenient in regards to importation than our neighbor's to the north.  The only law in terms of importation in the United States requires that all airsoft guns transported within or imported into the country have barrels with a minimum 6mm wide blaze orange tip.  Local airsoft gun laws will vary based on whether or not the orange tip can be removed.  A primary concern with airsoft guns is their uncanny resemblance to real firearms.  This particular airsoft gun law has been implemented to avoid such confusion. 
   
To further elaborate on airsoft gun laws as they pertain to similarity with real firearms, criminal convictions can be placed on an individual if he attempts a crime with an airsoft gun.  Depending on the look of the gun and the intent, an individual may find himself in troubled waters if a crime was committed using a replica.  For instance, if a man robs a bank using an airsoft gun he will be convicted as if it were a real firearm.  Possession of airsoft guns can get the attention of local law enforcement, regardless if airsoft gun laws allow concealment or carrying privileges.
   
Airsoft gun laws as they pertain to individual use and possession in the United States vary from state to state.  The federal law states that an individual must be at least 18 years of age to purchase an airsoft gun.  That being said, airsoft guns are not considered to be firearms, so use is legal for all ages.  The distinction between use and purchase is necessary to understand. 
    Airsoft gun law greatly varies based on city and state.  Some of the specific provisions found in the United States include:

·         New York City: All realistic or imitation firearms must be made clear with brightly coated plastics or colors.  Brandishing airsoft guns, or any unlawful motions are considered illegal.  ·         Washington DC: All replica guns are considered illegal under Washington DC airsoft gun law ·         Chicago: All replica guns are considered illegal under Chicago airsoft gun laws ·         San Francisco: All replica guns are considered illegal under San Francisco airsoft gun laws ·         Michigan: The purchase of airsoft guns is legal, but all replicas must contain an orange tip on the barrel. ·         Texas: Allows airsoft guns to be purchased, but most cities permit discharge outside city limits. ·         Minnesota: Airsoft gun laws state that it is illegal for any child under the age of 14 to use.  In Minneapolis, it is illegal to carry an airsoft gun unless the replica is brightly colored or has an orange tip.  It is also illegal to fire an airsoft gun within city limits.  Any airsoft gun with a laser attachment is considered unlawful to carry.  Transporting airsoft guns must be done in a concealed and unloaded manner. ·         Arkansas: Recently outlawed use and possession of all airsoft guns.

pellet flies between 160 feet per second to 550 feet per second.  Sounds fast, but when shot the pellets rarely break a humans skin.  The mark left by an airsoft gun is typically a small welt or abrasion.  Because the pellets are often plastic or rubber the pain inflicted for an airsoft gun is minor.
   
The most serious injury associated with air soft gun use are shots to the eyes.  Although provisions have made goggle use mandatory, accidents still occur which can result in very serious eye damage.  If an individual is shot directly in the eye, temporary or permanent blindness could ensue.  Along with eye injuries, customized pellets have been known to get caught in skin requiring surgery to remove.  Airsoft guns do not inflict that much damage, but if used improperly or recklessly, serious injuries can be a reality.  Another danger associated with air soft guns comes from the use of graphite pellets.  Players began coating their pellets with graphite to increase speed and firing rates.  The problem that surfaced was that graphite pellets often times broke skin, and invariably left scars on players.    
   
Physical danger aside, the greatest damage that airguns have inflicted is through fear and concern over public safety.  Electric air soft guns are almost an exact replica of a real firearm; they have the same weight, often times the same length, carry the same amount of bullets, and can be colored the same.  Part of their popularity comes from how real they look.  It would be nearly impossible for an ordinary citizen to differentiate between an electric air soft gun and its real counterpart.  American cities have adopted varying laws revolving around carrying and possessing airsoft guns in public because of the panic they can inflict. Electric airsoft guns require orange tips on the barrel, or trademarks documenting its spuriousness to be considered legal.  Brandishing or imitating violent acts with an airsoft gun can be considered illegal depending on location.  There have been numerous incidents where police have come to a scene thinking there is a crazed gunmen only to find a youth joking around with an airsoft gun. This may seem harmless but mounting opportunity costs in the form of unnecessary police involvement can greatly impose costs on a society.