The Face Mask Poll

I voted 1, obviously.

then again, I find Polls troublesome. The reason I first brought up face masks was firstly, I saw you were allowed to say 'no' to them at flying lead. Secondly, I have noticed more and more. Consequently I think they will be very popular in this poll.

Which is kind off my 'problem' in general.

That and trying to separate 'just a face mask' from 'face mask with a child behind it' in the general world of my curmudgeonliness.

Oh Craig, you misunderstand the way democracy works. If our preferences are supported by Vox Populi then we are representing the people. If they don't, then we are the feisty underdogs representing the rights of the minority and demand to be heard
A bit like the Black Panthers but white and more geeky.

Seriously though, this is all about freedom of choice. I want to have the choice to attend a WWII airsoft event and not have to see a full face mask on anyone.

Heh, I'm not a great fan of forum polls - I don't think I've ever started one and even contemplated removing the facility at one time but meh, folk seem to enjoy them! I don't think they are in any way an accurate reflection and very much like referenda, hard to avoid a loaded question (see option 4 for the subtle twist ) but regardless, I have voted, if only so I can see what the scores on the doors are!

(this should probably by in the debate thread but since I'm quoting from here I decided to leave it here. Mods, please move it if you think it's best suited elsewhere )

Seriously though, this is all about freedom of choice. I want to have the choice to attend a WWII airsoft event and not have to see a full face mask on anyone.

And thats great! I fully support the notion that there could be/should be/are games where face masks are banned. I think some of the problem is the wording of "Full face masks should be banned for WW2 airsoft games" makes it sound like they should be banned from all games which would end up excluding some current members that chose to wear them for one reason or another, and might also prevent new comers to the hobby

Seriously though, this is all about freedom of choice. I want to have the choice to attend a WWII airsoft event and not have to see a full face mask on anyone.

And thats great! I fully support the notion that there could be/should be/are games where face masks are banned. I think some of the problem is the wording of "Full face masks should be banned for WW2 airsoft games" makes it sound like they should be banned from all games which would end up excluding some current members that chose to wear them for one reason or another, and might also prevent new comers to the hobby

If you read back through the debate thread, this has been addressed.

I had noticed that but I thought that was worth mentioning again in this thread

Well if we are talking Darth Vader then option 1 other masks will be different
Not sure why I am getting into this discussion from all what I have read just going round in circles apart from putting new players off

if its a darth vader style mask then i really think they should not be seen at ww2 events,however im a lot less bothered by a flesh-n-blood like half mask as a little effort and better choice makes a huge visual difference especially from 5 feet plus away.

Not sure why I am getting into this discussion from all what I have read just going round in circles apart from putting new players off

Hmmm, I'm not sure implying 'new players' = full face masks is a great idea, clearly not true. Hell, full face masks might be putting new players off WW2!

By the way, there is absolutely no obligation on anyone posting in threads on this forum, but this IS a forum and has always, from day one, encouraged discussion within the community as well as embracing diversity. Some may prefer a 'do it my way' approach but that isn't how things work here - a 'hey, how about doing it this way' is much more progressive and has ensured WW2 airsoft has matured into something exciting, engrossing and diverse - and has something for everyone.

Not sure why I am getting into this discussion from all what I have read just going round in circles apart from putting new players off

Hmmm, I'm not sure implying 'new players' = full face masks is a great idea, clearly not true. Hell, full face masks might be putting new players off WW2!

By the way, there is absolutely no obligation on anyone posting in threads on this forum, but this IS a forum and has always, from day one, encouraged discussion within the community as well as embracing diversity. Some may prefer a 'do it my way' approach but that isn't how things work here - a 'hey, how about doing it this way' is much more progressive and has ensured WW2 airsoft has matured into something exciting, engrossing and diverse - and has something for everyone.

Well I would not mind betting a pound to a pinch of salt that New players = Full or half face protection. It is only when they see how it is done not running around like a modern blatfest that they change. It is called evolution.
Maybe not but believe me if I was just about to dip my feet in WW2 airsofting, reading this whole thread would certainly put me off. What is the point of this 70 post thread? Someone summed it up many posts ago. If organisers don`t want full face masks then state that in the opening gambit. If they are not bothered so be it. If there are people who don`t want to attend because someone is wearing them then don`t. The whole they spoil blah blah or safety issue is in fact a redundent argument either way.

You make assumptions - 'new' players are not just young 16 year olds from open day blatting - they may not have ever played airsoft before, they may have come from behind the ropes or private battle reenacting, they may over 50 and have no teeth of their own anyway . They may turn up and be appalled to discover someone would even dream to turn up in a ski mask.

And if someone turns up in a ski mask for their first game and the next game they don't then why did they turn up in a ski mask the first time. Evolution? No, no one told 'em it looked naff and really wasn't necessary anyway. This whole debate started because an organiser had the balls to stand up and say 'chaps, I think this is a bit of an issue that is easy to address by making it not an issue'.

I would refuse to play anywhere and with anyone that would not allow these masks. My safety comes way before your immersion. End of story

So we`ll go to different events then. Everyone`s happy. Thing is, up until now that hadn't been an option for me. Your preference had always trumped mine. Now it doesn't have to.

My safety comes way before your immersion. End of story.

A curious statement, what about your level of immersion ? A lot of players want to put themselves into 'the zone' so to speak, of the period they are participating in, otherwise it`s just another shooty game but in fancy dress.
Suspension of disbelief was even one of the arguments put to the home office when we risked losing 'black guns'.

Given you need to don period-accurate clothing and period accurate webbing and gear and use period accurate weaponry before you are even allowed to play by the powers that be

The issue of masks aside, bit of an odd statement, that. Surely if you want to go to ww2 games, you *want* to wear the correct gear and have the correct gun?

By it's very nature, it's a niche genre of airsoft, it's not a question of being 'allowed' to attend events, it's of 'wanting' to attend events in that style. No one's stopping you playing airsoft at any myriad number of less restrictive events, but the nature of ww2 events is to attend in the correct kit, as far as possible.

Incidentally, there are no 'powers that be' either, anyone with the time and inclination can organise ww2 events. many people, myself included have done it. there's no central authority, any kit guidelines are entirely down to individual organisers.

I would refuse to play anywhere and with anyone that would not allow these masks.

If getting shot is not an option for you then perhaps water colour painting would be a better hobby? Watch out for those easels though. Rather facetious but there is a level of risk in every hobby.

So we`ll go to different events then. Everyone`s happy.

I dont think they will prevent me from attending events but they do look pants.

I only came on this forum to airsoft with old buddies who are now throwing themselves into ww2 in a way I have no real intention of doing.

And there is the thrust of your argument Chris. When you have been to your first event in August you will, perhaps, begin to see things as other have tried to explain. Ordinary airsoft is a rather self-indulgent sport verging on the selfish; you do what the hell you like because it doesn't matter and no one cares. WW2 airsoft isn't like that at all; where the interests of others are much more important, and it is this oneness and common purpose that differentiates it from other shades of airsoft.

Your very first post and so you do have a grasp that you are entering something rather different to the norm:

... and I have been convinced by longtime airsofter buddies of mine from my old airsoft soc at uni to give WW2 airsofting a shot. I have been told repeatedly that the dudes on this forum are essentially solid gold awesome and that WW2 as a whole is a different experience from regular airsoft to warrant a go. Got some SS Dot Pea Panzer camo, my first WW2 gun in the post as well. I hope I can be a part of the pretty sweet sounding events and community you guys have set up here if you'll take someone just dipping his toe in.

You have bought a new gun so you must already be a conventional airsofter - hope you have a great time at Greenback and can compare and contrast. Yup, WW2 airsoft ain't a cheap hobby (although you have spent money you needn't have - you could have borrowed/hired everything for Greenback) - even open day airsoft usually turns out to be not very cheap - and while it couldn't be called a pocket money hobby it is only as expensive as you want it to be.

Anyhoo, make an evaluation after your first game: Did I look great or did I stick out like a sore thumb? Could I have safely ditched the ski mask and just used a £2 gum shield when things went hot? What is it that differentiates a Gunman WW2 game from an open day? Let us know after the 19th - it will be very interesting to know your thoughts.

You are demanding people risk expensive dentist and other medical bills and for some the possibility of the loss of their job

No one is demanding anything, esp. not me. You have a number of options open to you, it is a hobby and not compulsory.

After reading the comments on this thread and the other original one I thought I'd stick my 2 pence worth in, I voted for obtion B as it was the closest to my opinion, but I do prefer not to see face masks in WW2 airsoft, but in saying that I don't like to see a guy whose put in 110% effort with kit then wears a pair of modern tactical shooting glasses either like Wiley or Oakly's, but then thats their choice. On the subject of of teeth being shot out, I've been playing Airsoft for almost 6 years and played close to 40 games the vast majority scirmish days, for my sins, before seeing the light and getting into WW2 . In all those games I've only been hit in the face half a dozen times and only once on purpose, I want go into the outcome of that, I have only seen one guy get his tooth shot out and that was at about 20ft with a full auto burst. Yes it can happen but so can falling down a kerb but we don't walk around with knee pads on and harness ourselves to lamp posts. If you want to protect your teeth wear a gum sheild. I have found the standard of players at WW2 and Film sim games to be higher than at the skirmish days I used to do, no spray and pray, no real intention for head face shots and more thought goes into the play as limited ammo etc and have not seen any teeth shot out in these games or the Cold war film sim games I do with Gunman. Hope that makes sense it's early .

Lordy. You made things very difficult for yourself when you argument came down to 'I'll wear what the hell I like because I ain't that bothered what anyone else thinks'. I hope you will go to Gunman's game for it will be an eye-opener (see what I did there?) and anyway fighting with BBs is a lot more fun than fighting with words.

Don't lose that deposit!