Update regarding the airsoftaustralia.com.au domain - What really happened !!

An update on the facts regarding the domain airsoftaustralia.com.au. The domain was purchased in 2008 as it had expired and been released back into the pool. At this time the current owner was not aware of it's past use.

Around June 2009 the domain was re-launched with a place holder site. It was around this time that we became aware there was a previous owner.

Attempts were made to contact John Hanlon, with no response. We also contacted auDA to verify the claims that John had made on his current site about launching a complaint, and attempting to reclaim the domain. We were told that no complaints had been made and that the domain could not be returned by through some type of arbitration, (as was claimed on Johns current website).

After consideration of the facts we decided that we would hold on to the domain to avoid it falling into the hands of others, in particular those we felt did not help the cause of legalisation of Airsoft in Australia.

For those who are serious about one day playing a form of Airsoft in Australia, you need to start by accepting some facts about the current situation. Not the fallacies put forward by John Hanlon.

Fallacy
It was claimed that only members of Airsoft Australia would be able to participate in a trial game, to be held in Queensland at some time around June 2009.

Fact
This was completely untrue. First ASA doesn't exist in any form, I know of no incorporated association or company. Further more the use of Airsoft Australia or ASA as a trading name as far as I could see was illegal, as it was not registered. This has ramifications regarding liability if anyone was injured, as well as taking out insurance policies and even collecting money or donations as John referred to it.

Fallacy
That the SSAA showed interest in supporting the cause (legalisation of Airsoft in Australia)

Fact
As a member of the SSAA I can inform anyone who believes this non-sense that it is completely against their policy for any firearm to be pointed at another human. The SSAA has had a hard time trying to protect the rights of sporting shooters in Australia to shoot handguns. There has been a heated battle over justifying IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) as a Legitimate sport. Why would the SSAA waste resource on backing or funding a campaign that would undermine their own policy and put their members sports in jeopardy.

Further more we have been collecting data from the airsoftaustralia.com.au website form for over 9 months. Less than 20% of those who register claim to have a firearms license. As not all licensed firearms owners are memebers of the SSAA I think it would be safe to say that less than 20% who show interest in Airsoft are members of the SSAA. The SSAA represents it's members and it's members interest. Not those of an un-organised group that make fallacious claims and have no political sway.

Fallacy
Airsoft Australia was making great in-roads to legalising Airsoft in Australia

The recommendations put forward in the proposal produced by Airsoft Australia were nothing more than a wish list. John's lack of political contacts, as well as lack of business experience created more problems than it solved. Focusing on sourcing plastic vacuum forming firms over understanding the political situation and the costs of insurance, and liabilities is a prime example of his incompetence.

Focusing on ones own agenda, as well as publicly fighting (making threats of legal action) with other members of the Airsoft movement, simply because they didn't share your point of view is not what I regard as making great progress.

The reality is that there is a very long road ahead, money, political backing, as well as a large base of dedicated supporters is just the start. Internal fighting between independent factions instead of uniting for a common goal only delays the process.

I understand that many of you believed in John and continue to believe in what he promised. While ignorance is bliss, it will not make Airsoft legal in Australia.


Edited by the moderation team, Reason: Non-Approved Advertisement

Regards,

Kyle[i]

I understand there has been some interesting heated contact between your organization SSAA and John and cannot but hold a skeptical view on the information presented. The general tone of your post implies your meaning to be spiteful oriented, please keep any grudges you or your organization have with John to yourselves. Perhaps if you could sharpen your points we could clear up this whole situation and achieve the common goal even faster.

Also You seem to have the idea we are lead by John himself. We have talked about this and the current members of this forum are unaware of his activities and status. This is an community forum board as of present and have no major official organizational ties that I am aware of.

We are well aware that Airsoft in Australia has still some length before becoming legalized and have posted up a video for the purpose of making the general populous more aware. There has been and was no intention of spreading incorrect information around.

Red_Leader, you don't happen to be a supporter of the old order of things do you?

JCH, has had ample opportunity to communicate with numerous people over the course of time but has chosen not to.
Even though I’ve never met the man I feel as though I know his character, deep down I think he wanted to single handedly bring Airsoft to Australia, to be the father of Australian Airsoft, and when things didn’t go his way he chucked a tantrum.
Instead he has just vanished into thin air leaving a second rate forum behind and a mod whom I only can describe as an online bully.

It's a new day, and JCH is gone, and his resume with him, good riddance I say. Now we can build on the ashes of the old, to come together for a common cause.

Anthony, you are treading fine ice. Use your eyes to READ before you go accusing people.

Quote- Red_Leader

"Also You seem to have the idea we are lead by John himself. We have talked about this and the current members of this forum are unaware of his activities and status. This is an community forum board as of present and have no major official organizational ties that I am aware of."

Totally a John supporter from that...
And Red has made a very valid point. Your oppinions of us are not welcome here. You can go and complain to your buddies about how much you hate us all you want, but unless you want you along with all your other affiliates banned i suggest you keep it off here. We are more than happy to work something out with Airsoft Council, but this type of attitude isn't helping.

My apologies to one and all, while I do have an axe to grind concerning the old ASA, I should not involve you guys, so for that I would like to say sorry for insulting anyone.

Before anybody asks the question this is not an advertisement to join another site. This is an invitation to the members and particularly the leadership of this forum to join in a discussion hosted at www.milsimaustralia.com about the future of the airsoft community.

All comments are equally welcome and hopefully we can come together for the benefit of the sport and the work that has been done so far.

Participants in the forum are

The Airsoft Council

and the current owners of the website Airsoft Australia.com.au

Seems that no one’s interested in participating in the discussion.

Martyboy,
I saw you latest vid, and may I say it takes a man of honor to admit his mistakes, I say good on you, and you’re a legend.
More power to you.

AirsoftCouncil wrote:Before anybody asks the question this is not an advertisement to join another site. This is an invitation to the members and particularly the leadership of this forum to join in a discussion hosted at www.milsimaustralia.com about the future of the airsoft community.

All comments are equally welcome and hopefully we can come together for the benefit of the sport and the work that has been done so far.

Participants in the forum are

The Airsoft Council

and the current owners of the website Airsoft Australia.com.au

thanks for yr invitation. just let me know when u need any help.