Replica gun sellers worry

By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer

Grant Woo doesn't want to go the way of the gas-powered scooter.

Grant Woo and his family invested $60,000 in a store selling Airsoft replica guns that fire non-lethal plastic BB pellets. He's concerned about a proposal that would expand restrictions approved by the City Council in July. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I am very concerned," said Woo, 24, as he stood in front of a wall of AK-47s, M4s and MP5 Airsoft guns he had just shipped in, each costing between $200 and $500. "Our whole business revolves around Airsoft."

Woo faces what would be a nightmare for any small businesses — a government ban on his only product. And that can leave business owners with a choice of either lobbying lawmakers or quickly switching to another product.

Last week, Woo held the grand opening for his Impact Games LLC store in 'Aiea's Harbor Center. The opening came just five days after Oliver Shawn Tela allegedly pointed a replica gun at police officers, who wounded him.

The pistol Tela used had been modified to fire real bullets, police said, but was not an Airsoft gun. Still, it has led to nervousness among retailers who carry Airsoft guns and are concerned over the future of their businesses.

Woo's concerns are hardly restricted to one store in one industry.

On Maui, the kiteboarding industry has attracted the unwanted attention of Federal Aviation Administration officials who are threatening to ban increasingly popular kiteboards near Kahului Airport next month because of disruptions to air traffic.

And the small but busy gas-powered scooter industry on O'ahu was virtually wiped out by the City Council ban last summer.

Scooter Alley on Beretania Street had 75 percent of its inventory devoted to $500 gas-powered scooters and sold about five of them per week. Since the ban took effect in June, the store switched to mopeds that cost $1,300 and appeal to a vastly different, older clientele who can afford the higher cost.

Scooter Alley is still trying to find its way in a new market after the gas-powered scooter business dried up, manager Albert Young said.

"We lost easily 80 percent of our business," he said. "If the scooters are illegal, then we have to sell something else."

Pure Speed in Wahiawa focused almost exclusively on gas-powered scooters and sold about three of them per week. After the ban, owner Ricky Matsumoto said, "we went to zero."

Young encouraged kids who ride gas-powered scooters and their parents to go before the City Council to argue against a ban. He's not sure what more he could have done.

"That's the question," he said. "The turnout wasn't that great. Maybe we should have made petitions. I don't know."

Woo and the founders of Airsoft Hawaii — the country's oldest Airsoft organization going on 17 years — have gotten much more active in trying to preserve both the local industry and their sport.

In July, the City Council passed two bills that affected Airsoft guns. One prohibits carrying replica guns in public unless they are enclosed in a case. The other makes it illegal to draw or brandish a replica gun in front of a police officer.

Today the council will consider an amendment making it illegal to carry a replica gun on school grounds — even if it is enclosed in a case. Another would allow replica guns in parades, presentations for museums, historical societies and military preservation societies.

Pat Ohta, one of the founding members of Airsoft Hawaii, has met with police and copied the City Council bills in a bright yellow pamphlet, which he has distributed to the three largest Airsoft stores and Sports Authority. The pamphlets features photos of smiling Airsoft players and a sobering reminder:

"For a few minutes of fun it is not worth being arrested, fined, jailed or even shot and killed by the police."

Ohta plans to print more pamphlets and hopes to meet with Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz, who authored the replica gun bills.

Woo, a member of Airsoft Hawaii, is also trying to change the camouflaged, survivalist image of Airsoft players, who fire the plastic BBs at one another in games while wearing protective masks.

"We want to emphasize the family and fun aspect," Woo said. "It's an opportunity for a lot of father and son bonding."

Woo's trying to borrow a page from the Paintball industry, which went from outlaw status to mainstream. And he's trying to prevent the mistakes of the gas-powered scooter industry.

At Scooter Alley the other day, Young looked at a nearly empty wall that had once been filled with gas-powered scooters.

"We'll just have to find something else," Young said. "Either that or move to the outer islands and go fishing."

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8085.