by shootright on Mon Jun 16, 2014 9:55 am
Hope this helps
Firearm – Unlike an airgun, firearms use burning propellant in the ammunition. They are federally regulated for purchase, ownership and transfer by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). None of these restrictions apply to airguns, making airguns a convenient and safe choice for scholastic programs. Most counties allow the use of airguns in a “home range,” outlined on page 4.
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) does not classify air guns as firearms because of their lower velocity and lack of explosives used to propel the projectile. This simplifies the purchase, storage and transport of air guns since they are not federally regulated as a firearm.
- Because of the lower velocity, lead abatement for air gun pellets consists simply of sweeping-up pellets from target traps and the few that may fall to the floor. In the absence of an explosive charge, air gun lead is NOT atomized and therefore does NOT require sophisticated HEPA filters as do firearms cartridges used on indoor firing ranges.
I found nothing else about airsoft at this time at the fed level.
At the state level
Pasted 2010
HB 2453 - State Preemption Strengthened. This legislation further limited the ability of political subdivisions
(i.e., counties, cities, towns, etc.) to regulate firearms. Prior law allowed political subdivisions to enact firearms taxes and regulations such as limiting firearm possession in parks and preserves. HB 2543 also added firearms storage and accessories to the list of things that political subdivisions cannot regulate, and in general prohibited them from enacting any local ordinances more restrictive than state law.
Pasted 2014
HB 2483 - Strengthens the protection of the lawful use of firearms, air guns and archery equipment on private property.
Airsoft is looked at as airgun I believe.