I had bought an airsoft gun (a Colt 1911 replica) a few years ago on a whim, and never really used it. It's just entirely too plastic for me to even enjoy.
The other night, a little bird flew in the front door. We had a great deal of frustrating fun trying to catch it, with various box and net contraptions, kids tripping all over each other, but no success. The sparrow was bouncing off of everything, and eventually ended up in a clerestory area about 25 feet high, well out of reach.
Well something had to be done. I whacked at it with a long stick but to no avail. One of my sons remembered the airsoft gun. Figuring that was more-or-less safe to fire in the house, out it came.
A couple of rounds from the airsoft and the bird was on the floor. I don't think it injured the bird, just knocked it down, and the cats took control of the situation at that point. I can't be sure of the pellet's damage.
That's the entirety of my airsoft experience. So far as any federal control of the things, that's ridiculous but not surprising. And I fear that it will take more than foam pellets to stop the monsters in DC.
Due to the outright false data in the ruling... well, it’s been officially recinded.
http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com/2010/11/oops-airsoft-diktat-officially.html
My cat was a definite plus in a couple of bats-in-the-house situations. Cats are a much better force than the ATF.