Airsoft Action - December 2023

GETTING PERSONAL
NONOCAT
the dispersed clubs and structures and the lack of a
national register or similar system that the UK would
require.
It was quite permissive until 2019 when the
Christchurch Mosque Massacre prompted the
authorities to tighten restrictions on new sales of
airsoft guns much the same as the UK system, rather
than focusing on ownership as such, however luckily
they didn’t focus much on airsoft due to their focus
on the banning of real steel semi-automatic weapons
in the aftermath of the tragedy.
AA: What’s your favourite aspect of working within
the airsoft community?
NONOCAT: When you meet like-minded and
passionate people or players who make you feel a
shared sense of community and belonging as well as
motivate or support your own efforts.
AA: How
community
and industry
integrate
more
women in
a positive
manner?
can the
AA: Have you had any major challenges to overcome
during your time or ever felt like moving away from it
all at any point?
NONOCAT: Usually the moments of crisis come as a
result of people who show little or no respect to other
players, hobbyists or content creators with their toxic
or inappropriate behaviours towards others, either
not playing honourably, or having insulting opinions
towards people that they are all too happy to share
at the expense of others and to no real benefit to the
community.
AA: What are your plans or goals for the future?
NONOCAT: Escape the city life, open a coffee shop/
firing range with lots of cats and guns!
AA: How do you feel about other women viewing you
as a role model?
NONOCAT: I don’t see myself as a role model as such;
we do our content in our own way, and I’d rather
people didn’t see me as a role model but find their
own way of making their mark.
NONOCAT: Women
interested in shooting are already
a slim minority as things are in most corners of
the world; the general trends towards misogynist
behaviours towards new or interested female players
certainly don’t help, ‘mansplaining’ of concepts or
lauding themselves over women who want to learn
but are then put off by this environment.
This means that only a very dedicated and
determined sliver of the already small minority make it
through. In Japan I observed a much more respectful
and balanced approach from the male players who
welcomed in and helped inform female players,
coupled with the sensible power limits it makes for
a much more conducive environment to grow the
female player base.
As for closing remarks; airsoft is just a hobby, don’t
take it all too seriously, just have fun with it!
AA: Many thanks to Norah for sharing with us, and as
much as she doesn’t want to be a role model I think
you’ll agree that she is a very positive one!
I hope that in the future Norah and Romain will
share more of their adventures in airsoft with us, and
if they do I’ll be sure to bring it to your attention! AA
“IN JAPAN I OBSERVED A MUCH MORE RESPECTFUL AND BALANCED APPROACH FROM THE
MALE PLAYERS WHO WELCOMED IN AND HELPED INFORM FEMALE PLAYERS, COUPLED WITH
THE SENSIBLE POWER LIMITS IT MAKES FOR A MUCH MORE CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT TO
GROW THE FEMALE PLAYER BASE”
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