73075-87FIREARMS enthusiasts have shot back at calls for ball bearing guns to be banned. Jason Birch and Sam Neale are among thousands of hobbyists who spend their weekends playing combat games.

While condemning vandals who are believed to have attacked a car dealership with BB guns, they both say banning them is unfair.

And they are angry because toy gun-wielding louts are tarring their reputation.

Sam, 25, runs Wiltshire War Zone a stretch of woodland near RAF Lyneham used for airsoft.

The game is similar to paintball, but involves AEG electric rifles which fire BB rounds.

BB guns which are not covered by the law are a less powerful version of the rifle, and are also used during games.

He does not believe BB guns were responsible for last week's damage at the Vicarage Motor Company in Blunsdon.

"BB guns are designed for combat games where you shoot each other," he said.

"They shoot plastic ball bearings which don't cut the skin, so they can't have been used to smash car windows.

"They must have used air rifles, which farmers use for hunting rats and pigeons.

"But at the end of the day the problem is the vandalism, not the guns.

"They could have easily used rocks, so what should we do, ban rocks?

"I do agree that kids can get hold of toy guns too easily though. We are annoyed because it damages the reputation of our sport."

Sam says the weekend skirmishes attract everyone from former servicemen to computer programmers.

Airsoft originated in Japan, and participants engage in mock battles. Themes include a Vietnam siege, where combatants dress in military fatigues from the period.

Jason, a 28-year-old Honda worker from Grange Park, is a huge fan.

"The purpose of BB guns is for these kind of military simulations," he said.

"These yobs are dragging us down to their level. It is too easy for kids to buy them.

"If they were only sold in specialist shops I think it would deter youths from buying them. We handle and transport the weapons safely, and don't cause any problems."

Following the car attacks, Blundon parish council vice-chairman Ian Jankinson called for them to be banned.

His view was endorsed by South Swindon MP Julia Drown, who has long campaigned against them.

Tamash Lal