MilSim , an abbreviation of military simulation , refers to live-acted simulation of armed conflict scenarios conducted by civilians for entertainment , sporting , or nostalgic purposes. It has been described as both a form of " extreme sport " and as historical reenactment .
96-538: MilSim includes activities that strive to provide an experience of combat, simulate battlefield missions, or replicate military service-style training. The training is simulated because participants engage in mock scenarios and do not actually engage in real conflicts or use real weaponry. There are several forms of MilSim: physical shooting sports (e.g. airsoft , paintball , or laser tag ) with an emphasis on realism based on military scenarios and team tactics; historical reenactment of famous battles; stylistic imitations of
192-424: A platoon scale and squad scale - to defeat opponents. War historians are occasionally consulted to help stage the field. Regularly, military veterans from several nations will attend or organize events, giving further accuracy to first-aid training, current terminology, clothing, and tactics. When attendees must source their own equipment, costs can sometimes be thousands of dollars. Occasionally, loaner equipment
288-471: A religious conversion . This would eventually influence them culturally and open the way for an amicable political line if they ascended to power after release. Sometimes when a man from one nation was hostage in another nation, his position as hostage was more or less voluntary: for example the position of Æscferð son of Ecglāf, who was a Northumbrian hostage in Wessex ; he fought under Byrhtnōð against Vikings in
384-440: A shoulder stock . The two main subtypes of handguns are pistols and revolvers . They are much more convenient to carry in general, but usually have a shorter effective range and less accuracy compared to long guns such as rifles. In shooting sports, revolvers and semi-automatic pistols are the most commonly used. A rifle is a long gun with a rifled barrel , and requires the use of both hands to hold and brace against
480-740: A "ladder leading up to the war and a ladder for coming back down". Notably, veterans (rather than, or in addition to, mental health care) "use war games as self-administered PTSD treatment". The movement of troops among the cacophony of heavy machines provides an immersive sensory environment for exposure therapy. With social support, it may be possible for vets to defeat their darkest fears (although Veterans Affairs advises against high-adrenaline treatments that might trigger flashbacks). Recently, advances in airsoft replica authenticity have led numerous law enforcement and military units to train with airsoft guns in CQB/CQC environments. MilSim events have encouraged
576-417: A better simulated opportunity to practice shooting skills. A plinking target will also often react much more positively to a hit than a paper target used in formal competitions, either audibly with a sharp impact sound (hence the name "plink") or visually by bouncing, splattering or falling over. Steel targets used for formal action and long range shooting competitions are also popular for plinking due to
672-431: A certain way, often under threat of serious physical harm or death to the hostage(s) after expiration of an ultimatum . The Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition defines a hostage as "a person who is handed over by one of two belligerent parties to the other or seized as security for the carrying out of an agreement, or as a preventive measure against certain acts of war ." A party who seizes one or more hostages
768-588: A cloud of tiny lead pellets ("shot") fired from a smooth-bore firearm a real possibility. Practicing for game hunting by shooting at artificial aerial targets launched from spring-powered launching devices ("traps") became highly popular and led to the development of the modern Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays shooting sports. In 1831 a sportsman club in Cincinnati Ohio held a competitive shoot at pigeons and quail released from ground traps. German ethnic communities set up athletic clubs and shooting clubs, especially in
864-558: A focus on historical accuracy to a specific event. All weaponry, uniforms, and equipment are suggested or required to be period-accurate. Food, terminology, and living arrangements can be inspired by the period; such as World War II , Desert Storm , or the Yugoslav Wars . Sides are usually not glorified, and attendees are encouraged to see battles through the eyes of an ordinary soldier. Unlike historical reenactments, which are largely scripted, MilSim events involve creating strategies - on
960-482: A hit player has the ethical duty to call himself out of play, regardless of whether anyone else sees it happen. Most airsoft guns are also magazine-fed (unlike the commonly top-mounting pellet loader of paintball markers) with mounting platforms compatible with real firearm accessories, and tend to more closely resemble real guns in appearance, making them more popular for military simulation and historical reenactments . The greater toughness of airsoft pellets also allows
1056-422: A number of disciplines involving a shooting target—sometimes called a boar , moose , or deer —that is made to move as if it is a running animal. Events of this type include: Shooting at the 1908 Summer Olympics – Men's moving target small-bore rifle Shooting at the 1908 Summer Olympics – Men's disappearing target small-bore rifle Practical shooting , also known as action shooting or dynamic shooting ,
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#17328595848791152-601: A possible future ruler with ideas of Roman civilization. The practice was also commonplace in the Imperial Chinese tributary system , especially between the Han and Tang dynasties. The practice continued through the early Middle Ages. The Irish High King Niall of the Nine Hostages got his epithet Noígiallach because, by taking nine petty kings hostage, he had subjected nine other principalities to his power. This practice
1248-519: A precautionary and preventive measure is more reasonable than reprisals. It may be noticed, however, that the hostages would suffer should the acts aimed at be performed by the authorized belligerent forces of the enemy. Article 50 of the 1907 Hague Convention on Land Warfare provides that: "No general penalty, pecuniary or otherwise, can be inflicted on the population on account of the acts of individuals for which it cannot be regarded as collectively responsible." The regulations, however do not allude to
1344-477: A similar policy, but many continental European countries, including France and Spain, routinely pay ransom. The former head of the Committee to Protect Journalists , Joel Simon, found that evidence suggests this policy has reduced the number of Americans who survive kidnapping but has not reduced the number who are kidnapped in the first place. Spain retrieves all of its hostages with a policy of paying ransoms, but in
1440-411: A single large projectile called a slug . In shooting sports, shotguns are more often over/under -type break action or semi-automatic shotguns , and the majority of shotgun events are included in clay pigeon shooting . Bullseye shooting is a category of pistol and rifle shooting disciplines where the objective is to achieve as many points as possible by hitting a round shooting target as close to
1536-882: A specific military era or focus, such as cosplaying ; and military-themed e-sports (e.g. video games ). Airsoft guns are used commonly in MilSim due to their cosmetic realism, satisfactory external ballistics , compatibility with genuine firearm accessories, and inexpensive ammunition. Alternatively, mock weapons which fire blanks and blank adapted guns may be used to add immersion in events such as MilSim West. Gel ball blasters are also used by MilSim players who live in countries where airsoft guns are either restricted or banned by law. Events can span between historical or imaginary battles, law enforcement -style CQC engagements, or freestyle urban / jungle warfare -themed light infantry skirmishes. Large events usually have rigid requirements for entry, and can last several days without leaving
1632-570: A tethered turkey at 110 yards for muskets or 165 yards for rifles could keep the bird. German gunsmiths in Pennsylvania began to manufacture Flintlock rifles in the 1720s, which became especially popular among hunters because of its long-range accuracy. It could be accurate to 200 yards. Along about 1820, percussion caps, and the locks that ignited them, became available, and nearly all new firearms began to be constructed using this ignition system. Many flintlock firearms were also subsequently converted to
1728-499: A two-day MilSim (inspired by 2003's Tears of the Sun ), writes that "the appeal is in ... the realism of an unreal world, plus a deep desire for the camaraderie and teamwork you'd find in a real military unit." He speculates that the "pure adrenaline free from inflicting actual harm ... strikes at something embedded deep within the core of sports." Places Journal , referring to the presence of veteran and civilian players describe MilSim as
1824-489: A usable size of the hit zone of about 1.5 milliradians (or 5 minutes of arc ). Muzzleloading are concerned with shooting replica (or antique ) guns. Paralympic shooting , also known as "shooting Para sport", is an adaptation of shooting sports for competitors with disabilities. Paralympic shooting first appeared in the Summer Paralympics at the 1976 Toronto Games . Para shooting is internationally governed by
1920-542: Is a war crime and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever. In international conflicts, Articles 34 and 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention state that using protected civilians as hostages is a grave breach of the convention. These conventions are supplemented by Article 75(2)(c) of Additional Protocol I in international conflicts and Article 4(2)(c) of Additional Protocol II in internal conflicts. The International Convention against
2016-412: Is a competitive sport similar in concept to paintball, in which participants from opposing teams eliminate opponents by hitting each other with solid round plastic pellets launched from low-powered smoothbore air guns called airsoft guns . It is different from paintball in that airsoft pellets do not visibly mark the targets like paintballs, and thus the sport relies heavily on an honor system where
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#17328595848792112-593: Is a form of combat archery sport where participants shoot one another using a bow with arrows with large foam tips. The game's rules closely resemble dodgeball . The game begins with a number of arrows in the center of the arena. At the whistle, players race to collect them, before firing them at one another across the playing field. A player is eliminated if struck by an arrow, and a player can bring an eliminated teammate back into play by catching an arrow. To avoid injury, participants wear protective facemasks and use bows with less than 30 pounds (14 kg) draw weight. It
2208-411: Is a generic term applicable to shooting sports where speed is of equal importance as precision. Many of the disciplines involve movement, and when using handguns they are often drawn from a holster . Long range shooting is shooting held at such distances that sight adjustment based from judging atmospherical conditions become critical. Benchrest shooting is concerned with shooting small groups with
2304-532: Is a group of competitive and recreational sporting activities involving proficiency tests of accuracy, precision and speed in shooting — the art of using ranged weapons , mainly small arms ( firearms and airguns , in forms such as handguns , rifles and shotguns ) and bows / crossbows . Shooting sports can be categorized by equipment, shooting distances, targets , time limits and degrees of athleticism involved. Shooting sports may involve both team and individual competition, and team performance
2400-764: Is a national of the United States; the offender is found in the United States; or the governmental organization sought to be compelled is the Government of the United States." These provisions are consistent with the fundamental principles of international criminal law, specifically active nationality principle, universal principle, and the effects principle, respectively. Title 18 of the United States Code criminalizes hostage-taking under "18 USC 1203: Hostage Taking Act", which reads: (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, whoever, whether inside or outside
2496-679: Is a subsection of the International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages . It became enforceable in the United States January 6, 1985. The United States has had an official policy of "we do not negotiate with terrorists" since the Nixon Administration . This applies to designated international terrorist groups, but not domestic kidnappers, foreign governments, or international organized crime. The United Kingdom has
2592-468: Is known as a hostage-taker ; if the hostages are present voluntarily, then the receiver is known as a host . In civil society, along with kidnapping for ransom and human trafficking (often willing to ransom its captives when lucrative or to trade on influence), hostage taking is a criminal activity. In the military context, hostages are distinct from prisoners of war —despite prisoners being used as collateral in prisoner exchange —and hostage taking
2688-433: Is needed to become proficient. Field-Shooting or Terrain-Shooting refer to a set of pistol and rifle shooting disciplines that usually are shot from temporary shooting ranges in outdoor terrain at varying (and sometimes unknown) distances, rather than at permanent shooting ranges at fixed distances. Clay pigeon shooting are shotgun disciplines shot at flying clay pigeon targets . Running target shooting refers to
2784-600: Is provided to beginners. MilSim simulations are fictionalized scenarios with a realistic objective; these can include hostage rescue, bomb defusal , or fictionalized skirmishes, and include law enforcement or militia-themed scenarios. These promote a "tactical playstyle" above casual airsoft. Players are often given an extensive briefing, containing storylines, mission tactics, and rules of engagement . Most simulations strive for immersion and tension in players. MilSim simulations are usually smaller, and more frequent, than reenactments. Robert Silverman of Vocativ , embedded in
2880-404: Is regarded as a war crime . Hostage taking and kidnapping are prone to blend together. When the goal is strictly financial, the primary lens is one of extortion, even in the face of a severe threat to the safety of the captive person if the financial negotiation fails; conversely, when the goal is political or geopolitical , the primary lens is terrorism . When looking at hostage-taking from
2976-446: Is shot seated like Air Pistol, with variable levels of back support. "Prone" Rifle uses the basic prone shooting position utilising a sling for the supporting arm, but is shot rested on a table with the athlete seated either in a chair or wheelchair. Shooting competitions for factory and service firearms , usually called Service Rifle, Service Pistol, Production, Factory or Stock, describe a set of disciplines or equipment classes where
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3072-436: Is the competitive playing of video games , often referring to play at the professional level. While the term esports includes many types of video games unrelated to shooting sports, a major subset of esports are the shooters , namely first-person shooters and third-person shooters . Matches of these games can take a variety of forms but traditionally take formats similar to paintball, involving teams of players whose objective
3168-423: Is to eliminate the opposing team in simulated combat, often while also focusing other key objectives. Major games of these styles currently in professional play include (among others) Counter-Strike: Global Offensive , Overwatch , Team Fortress 2 , Valorant , and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds . Organized play is done both online or in-person. While there has been serious interest to include esports in
3264-459: Is typically called an archer or a bowman, and a person who is fond of or an expert at archery is sometimes called a toxophilite. The most popular competitions worldwide are called target archery . Another form, particularly popular in Europe and America, is field archery , which generally is shot at targets set at various distances in a wooded setting. 3D archery, which differs from field archery in that
3360-452: Is unsafe to shoot at rocks) or tree branches. The primary appeals of plinking as a sport are the broad variety of easily available locations, minimal costs, freedom in practice styles, and more relaxing and less restrictive shooting experience. The flexibility of target choice is also why plinking is popular. A small, three-dimensional target in an outdoors setting is much more akin to a real-world hunting and varminting scenario, presenting
3456-449: Is usually assessed by summing the scores of the individual team members. Due to the noise of shooting and the high (and often lethal) impact energy of the projectiles , shooting sports are typically conducted at either designated permanent shooting ranges or temporary shooting fields in the area away from settlements. The National Rifle Association (NRA) was founded in 1859 to raise the funds for an annual national rifle meeting "for
3552-420: Is very ancient, and has been used constantly in negotiations with conquered nations, and in cases such as surrenders, armistices and the like, where the two belligerents depended for its proper carrying out on each other's good faith. The Romans were accustomed to take the sons of tributary princes and educate them at Rome, thus holding a security for the continued loyalty of the conquered nation and also instilling
3648-568: The 1896 Olympics . Over the years, the events have been changed a number of times in order to keep up with technology and social standards. The targets that formerly resembled humans or animals in their shape and size have are now a circular shape in order to avoid associating the sport with any form of violence. At the same time, some events have been dropped and new ones have been added. The 2004 Olympics featured three shooting disciplines (rifle, pistol, and shotgun) where athletes competed for 51 medals in 10 men's and 7 women's events—slightly fewer than
3744-677: The Battle of Maldon on 10 August 991 AD (ref. lines 265 etseq), and probably died in battle there. In Greek, 'Ομηρος means " Homer " and also "hostage", a coincidence which is part of the debate over Homer's identity . The Anglo-Saxon practice caused the element gīsl = "hostage" in many old Germanic personal names , such as Ēadgils , Cynegils , Gīslheard , and Gīslbeorht . This has been imported into placenames derived from personal names, for example Isleworth in west London (UK) from Old English Gīslheres wyrð (= "enclosure belonging to [a man called] Gīsl here"). The practice of taking hostages
3840-591: The Boy Scouts of America , the American Legion , U.S. Jaycees , NCAA , The USA High School Clay Target League , the Scholastic Clay Target Program, National Guard Bureau , ROTC , and JROTC . French pistol champion and founder of the modern Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin , participated in many of these early competitions. This fact certainly contributed to the inclusion of five shooting events in
3936-683: The Civilian Marksmanship Program ) also participates in the National Matches at Camp Perry. In 1903, the NRA of America began to establish rifle clubs at all major colleges, universities, and military academies. By 1906, youth programs were in full swing with more than 200 boys competing in the National Matches . Today, more than one million youth participate in shooting sports events and affiliated programs through groups such as 4-H ,
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4032-672: The International Paralympic Committee . To help establish fair competition, a shooting classification called Para-shooting classification is in place for the Paralympic Games . The events mirror to some extent the shooting events at the Olympic Games. Air Pistol is typically shot from a seated position with the pistol unsupported. The amount of back-support permitted is determined by the athlete's level of disability. The Air Rifle events include Rifle "Standing", which
4128-530: The National Rifle Association of America in 1871 for the purpose of promoting and encouraging rifle shooting on a "scientific" basis. In 1872, with financial help from New York state, a site on Long Island, the Creed Farm, was purchased for the purpose of building a rifle range. Named Creedmoor , the range opened in 1872, and became the site of the first National Matches until New York politics forced
4224-746: The US Army to promote enlistment. Mil-sim is also the descriptor for a genre of video games , often overlapping with the tactical shooter genre, containing more "realistic" mechanics and consequences than typical first-person shooters or action games . Games such as Arma and Squad rather than pure entertainment, are a simulation of equipment and tactics, and are sometimes used for military training and mission rehearsal. Other games, such as Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45 and Insurgency: Sandstorm , feature realistic aspects in their gameplay. Mil-sims can be differentiated from other shooter games in that, commonly: Shooting sports Shooting sports
4320-521: The United Kingdom , airsoft organizers run in conjunction with Live Action Role-Players (LARP) at British Army training facilities, such as Copehill Down and Catterick Garrison . Elsewhere, combat stages are often salvaged from abandoned buildings and private woodland. Many of the larger playfields are leased to ROTC groups or civilian first responders for their own simulation training. Similar to historical reenactments , MilSim reenactments have
4416-432: The 1980s, MilSim events are now bolstered by an active Internet scene. An American presenter, MSATO, claims that MilSim is the "fastest-growing extreme sport worldwide." The largest events can attract thousands of attendees, though players must often source their own equipment, such as specific uniforms, radios, and weapons. Attendees are diverse, consisting of hobbyists, military veterans , or enthusiasts as young as 13. In
4512-588: The Midwestern states In the 1850–1917. period Breach loading shotguns introduced in the 1860s, and the knowledge of rifles by Civil War soldiers, made trap shooting popular. However, there was human humanitarian opposition to killing live birds—and the passenger pigeon was dying out—so glass or clay targets were used instead. Concerned over poor marksmanship during the American Civil War, veteran Union officers Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate formed
4608-655: The NRAoA to move the matches to Sea Girt, New Jersey . The popularity of the National Matches soon forced the event to be moved to its present, much larger location: Camp Perry . In 1903, the U.S. Congress created the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice (NBPRP), an advisory board to the Secretary of the Army, with a nearly identical charter to the NRAoA. The NBPRP (now known as
4704-475: The Olympics and similar events , the inclusion of shooters has been less welcomed due to their often violent visual content. Hostage A hostage is a person seized by an abductor in order to compel another party, one which places a high value on the liberty, well-being and safety of the person seized—such as a relative , employer , law enforcement , or government —to act, or refrain from acting, in
4800-670: The Taking of Hostages —which prohibits hostage-taking and mandates the punishment of hostage-takers—was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979. The treaty came into force in 1983 and has been ratified by all but 24 of the member states of the United Nations . Hostage-taking is still often politically motivated or intended to raise a ransom or to enforce an exchange against other hostages or even condemned convicts. However, in some countries hostage-taking for profit has become an "industry", ransom often being
4896-1062: The United States is governed by USA Archery and National Field Archery Association (NFAA), which also certifies instructors. Run archery is a shooting discipline connecting archery with running. The International Crossbow Shooting Union ( Internationale Armbrustschützen Union or IAU) was founded in Landshut , Germany on June 24, 1956, as the world governing body for crossbow target shooting. The IAU supervises World, Continental and International crossbow shooting championships in 3 disciplines; 30 m Match-crossbow, 10 m Match-crossbow and Field-crossbow shooting. IAU World Championships take place every two years with Continental Championships on intervening years. Other International and IAU-Cup events take place annually. World Crossbow Shooting Association (WCSA) organises competitions in 7 disciplines: Target, Target match play, Forest, Forest match play, 3D, Bench & prone target and Indoor target. There are several competition styles of sport blowgun practised around
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#17328595848794992-414: The United States only about one quarter survive. Simon says that terrorists exploit these policy differences by making money from countries who do pay ransom, and using those that do not pay ransom to demonstrate their willingness to kill hostages and thus raise ransom prices and public pressure to pay. In the absence of a universal refusal to pay, which would eliminate any incentive for kidnapping, Simon says
5088-399: The United States, seizes or detains and threatens to kill, to injure, or to continue to detain another person in order to compel a third person or a governmental organization to do or abstain from doing any act as an explicit or implicit condition for the release of the person detained, or attempts or conspires to do so, shall be punished by imprisonment for any term of years or for life and, if
5184-604: The Unlimited Categories are rifle-like in appearance; Thompson Contender , Remington XP-100 , and other pistols are chambered in rifle calibers with the power, aerodynamic efficiency, and external ballistics required for precise shooting at 200 meters. There are silhouette categories appropriate for virtually all types of adjustable sight pistols and rifles, only excluding high-velocity armor-piercing rounds that would damage targets. Targets for open sighted guns are placed between 25 and 200 meters, and are designed to provide
5280-410: The airsoft sport. Competitive tournaments are usually organized by private clubs or among enthusiasts and professional / semi-professional teams (often referred to as "clans"), with rules and restrictions varying from event to event. Laser tag (despite the name, laser is actually not used due to safety concerns ) is a tag game played with infrared light guns and sensors worn on the body of
5376-582: The carrying out of a treaty between civilized states is now obsolete. The last occasion was at the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) , ending the War of the Austrian Succession , when two British peers, Henry Bowes Howard, 11th Earl of Suffolk , and Charles, 9th Baron Cathcart , were sent to France as hostages for the restitution of Cape Breton to France. In France, after the revolution of Prairial (June 18, 1799),
5472-504: The death of any person results, shall be punished by death or life imprisonment. (b)(1) It is not an offense under this section if the conduct required for the offense occurred outside the United States unless— (c) As used in this section, the term "national of the United States" has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (a)(22)). The Hostage Taking Act
5568-560: The defeat at Mont Valrien on the 4 April and the entry of the army into Paris on the 21 May. Among the 52 victims who were shot in batches the most noticeable were Georges Darboy , archbishop of Paris , the Abbé Deguery, curé of the Madeleine , and the president of the Court of Cassation, Louis Bernard Bonjean . Taking hostages in modern terms is considered a crime or an act of terrorism ;
5664-450: The development of safe confrontational disciplines. While initially only for sport and recreations, professional sport competitions are now held. These type of games are also used for tactical gunfight training by military and law enforcement agencies to some extent. Olympic dueling is an archaic individual sport that sought to safely emulate the deadly practice of pistol duelling , akin to fencing emulating sword fighting. It involved
5760-452: The ease of setting up and confirming good hits. Athletic shooting sports are hybrid events of normally stationary shooting sport competitions and the sport of athletics or other physically demanding non-shooting sports. Many were borne from military exercises and emphasize physical endurance. Modern competitive archery involves shooting arrows at a target for accuracy from a set distance or distances. A person who participates in archery
5856-551: The encouragement of Volunteer Rifle Corps and the promotion of Rifle-shooting throughout Great Britain". Target shooting was a favorite sport in colonial America , with the New England Puritans regularly testing their shooting skills for recreation and at militia training days. The Scotch Irish settlers on the frontier favored shooting matches sponsored by Tavern keepers. Turkey shoots were popular after harvest time. Contestants would pay an entry fee, and everyone who killed
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#17328595848795952-448: The flag , elimination, ammunition limits, defending or attacking a particular point or area, or capturing objects of interest hidden in the playing area. Depending on the variant played, games can last from seconds to hours, or even days in scenario play . The game was developed in the 1980s and is now regularly played at a formal sporting level with organized competition involving major tournaments, professional teams and players. Airsoft
6048-435: The hands of the victor, or even exchange hostages as mutual assurance in cases such as an armistice . Major powers, such as Ancient Rome and European colonial powers would especially receive many such political hostages, often offspring of the elite, even princes or princesses who were generally treated according to their rank and put to a subtle long-term use where they would be given an elitist education or possibly even
6144-506: The hostility of the inhabitants their compatriots will be the first to suffer. The measure seems to have been effective. In 1900 during the Second Boer War , by a proclamation issued at Pretoria (June 19), Lord Roberts adopted the plan for a similar reason, but shortly afterwards (July 29) it was abandoned. The Germans also, between the surrender of a town and its final occupation, took hostages as security against outbreaks of violence by
6240-407: The inhabitants. Most writers on international law have regarded this method of preventing such acts of hostility as unjustifiable, on the ground that the persons taken as hostages are not the persons responsible for the act; that, as by the usage of war hostages are to be treated strictly as prisoners of war, such an exposure to danger is transgressing the rights of a belligerent; and as useless, for
6336-520: The insurrection. In 1796 Napoleon had used similar measures to deal with the insurrection in Lombardy . In later times the practice of official war hostages may be said to be confined to either securing the payment of enforced contributions or requisitions in an occupied territory and the obedience to regulations the occupying army may think fit to issue; or as a precautionary measure, to prevent illegitimate acts of war or violence by persons not members of
6432-532: The level of accountability they must face from their citizens who elect them into office, and the media within the country which reports on such events in a capacity independent from the state. The English word hostage derives from French ostage , modern otage , from Late Latin obsidaticum ( Medieval Latin ostaticum, ostagium ), the state of being an obses (plural obsides ), ' hostage ' , from Latin obsideō ' I haunt/frequent/blockade/besiege ' , but an etymological connection
6528-467: The mere temporary removal of important citizens until the end of a war cannot be a deterrent unless their mere removal deprives the combatants of persons necessary to the continuance of the acts aimed at. On the other hand, it has been urged that the acts, the prevention of which is aimed at, are not legitimate acts on the part of the armed forces of the enemy, but illegitimate acts by private persons, who, if caught, could be quite lawfully punished, and that
6624-721: The middle as possible with slow precision fire. These disciplines place a large emphasis on precision and accuracy through sight picture, breath and trigger control. Fixed and relatively long time limits give the competitors time to concentrate for a perfect shot. An example of bullseye shooting is the ISSF pistol and rifle disciplines, but there are also many other national and international disciplines which can be classified as bullseye shooting. The shooting distances are typically given in round numbers, such as 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 or 300 meters depending on firearm type and discipline. Competitions are usually shot from permanent shooting ranges and with
6720-470: The only demand. The United States makes hostage-taking a federal criminal offense pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1203 . Generally, the Act applies to conduct occurring within the territory of the United States. However, under Subsection B, an offender may be indicted under the Act even if the hostage-taking occurred outside the territory of the United States if the "offender or the person seized or detained
6816-423: The percussion system, which was a relatively simple procedure that could be accomplished by local gunsmiths. Although percussion ignition did not add to the accuracy of the firearm, the time between when the firearm firing mechanism (or "lock") started the sequence that lead to the ignition of the propellant in the barrel, was shortened drastically. This made getting smaller shot groups on the target more attainable as
6912-644: The players. Since its birth in 1979, laser tag has evolved in both indoor and outdoor games, each with gameplay styles such as annihilation, capture the flag , domination, VIP protection, (usually sci-fi ) role playing , etc. When compared to paintball and airsoft , laser tag is painless and very safe because it involves no projectile impacts, and indoor games may be considered less physically demanding because most indoor venues prohibit running or roughhousing. More sophisticated forms of laser tag, such as MILES , are used (in conjunction with blanks ) by militaries to allow for non-lethal combat training. Archery Tag
7008-488: The playfield. The experience often includes camping , food preparation, transportation, and other military logistics . MilSim differs from the sports of airsoft or paintball - though all rely on tactics and marksmanship, MilSim has a focus on authenticity to real-world military doctrines . There are often fireteams with designated roles, such as simulated combat medics and support gunners . Loosely originating in Japan in
7104-446: The possibility of the firearm moving off the aiming point after the shooter pressed the trigger was lessened. This shortened ignition time, which is referred to as "lock time" was (and still is) a very important factor in target shooting. The closed design of the percussion system materially improved reliability of the firearm, especially in rainy or damp conditions. The faster "lock time" also made hitting fast-moving aerial targets with
7200-467: The practice of taking hostage. In May 1871, at the close of the Paris Commune , took place the massacre of the so-called hostages. Strictly they were not hostages, for they had not been handed over or seized as security for the performance of any undertaking or as a preventive measure, but merely in retaliation for the death of their leaders E. V. Duval and Gustave Flourens . The massacre occurred after
7296-1129: The previous Olympic schedule. In the Olympic Games, the shooting sport has always enjoyed the distinction of awarding the first medals of the Games. Internationally, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has oversight of all Olympic shooting events worldwide, while National Governing Bodies (NGBs) administer the sport within each country. Shooting at the Summer Olympics includes fifteen medal events, covering seven disciplines. Medal events are evenly distributed between rifle, pistol and shotgun with five events each. Three Mixed Pairs events were introduced to ensure gender equity between men's and women's events. They replaced 50m Prone Rifle, 50m Free Pistol and Double Trap which were all men-only events. Gun shooting sports are shot with either firearms or air guns , which can be handguns , rifles or shotguns . Handguns are handheld small arms designed to be shot off-hand without needing
7392-586: The primary lens of terrorism, there are reasons to believe that certain government types are more susceptible to hostage-taking terrorism than others. In democratic governments, for example, elements related to their democratic ideals such as freedom of the press, constraints on the executive, free elections, and higher levels of civil liberties create favorable outcomes that enable hostage-takers to target these countries specifically. Hostage-takers understand that by targeting democratic governments, they are more likely to seek concessions and/or negotiate with them based on
7488-581: The recognized military forces of the enemy. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the Germans took as hostages the prominent people or officials from towns or districts when making requisitions and also when foraging, and it was a general practice for the mayor and adjoint of a town which failed to pay a fine imposed upon it to be seized as hostages and retained until the money was paid. Another case where hostages have been taken in modern warfare has been
7584-829: The rifleman sitting on a chair (bench) and the rifle supported from a table. Of all shooting disciplines, this is the most demanding equipment-wise. Depending on equipment class, international benchrest competitions are governed by either the World Benchrest Shooting Federation or World Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Federation . Metallic silhouette competitors shoot at animal-shaped steel silhouettes (chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams) that must be knocked down to score. Banks of 5 targets are placed at up to 500 meters, with distance and size of target determined by firearm class. Classes include Handguns, Small Bore Rifle (Hunter, Silhouette), High Power Rifle (Hunter, Silhouette), air rifle and black powder rifle. Handguns used in
7680-474: The same target arrangement and distance from match to match. Usually the competitors each have their own shooting target and shoot beside each other simultaneously. Because of the relatively simple match format, beginners are often recommended bullseye shooting in order to learn the fundamentals of marksmanship. Bullseye shooting is part of the Summer Olympic Games , and a considerable amount of training
7776-434: The shoulder via a stock in order to shoot steadily. They generally have a longer range and greater accuracy than handguns, and are popular for hunting. In shooting sports, bolt-action or semi-automatic rifles are the most commonly used. A shotgun is similar to a rifle but often smoothbore and larger in caliber , and typically fires either a shell containing many smaller scattering sub-projectiles called shots , or
7872-485: The so-called law of hostages was passed, to meet the royalist insurrection in La Vendée . Relatives of émigrés were taken from disturbed districts and imprisoned, and were liable to execution at any attempt to escape. Sequestration of their property and deportation from France followed on the murder of a republican, four to every such murder, with heavy fines on the whole body of hostages. The law only resulted in an increase in
7968-418: The subject of much discussion. In 1870 the Germans found it necessary to take special measures to put a stop to train-wrecking by " Francs-tireurs " - i.e. "parties in occupied territory not belonging to the recognized armed forces of the enemy", which was considered an illegitimate act of war. Prominent citizens were placed on the engine of the train so that it might be understood that in every accident caused by
8064-461: The target. All successful shooters move to the next round, moving back 2 m each time. Confrontational shooting sports is a set of relatively new team sports using non-lethal ranged weapons that are safe enough to shoot at other people. Previously such games were not possible due to safety concerns since bows and guns are generally too lethal and dangerous for human targets, but the development of newer airgun and infrared technologies allowed for
8160-401: The targets are animal models, is also quite popular in the same regions. There are also several other lesser-known and historical forms, as well as archery novelty games. The tournament rules vary from organization to organization. World Archery Federation rules are often considered normative, but large non-WA-affiliated archery organizations do exist with different rules. Competitive archery in
8256-766: The terms Production, Factory and Stock often are applied to more modern disciplines with similar restrictions on equipment classes. Factory and service classes are often restrictive in nature, and the types of firearms permitted are usually rugged, versatile and affordable. In comparison, more expensive custom competition equipment are popular in more permissive equipment classes. Both types of equipment classes can be found within many disciplines, such as bullseye , field , practical and long range shooting . Plinking refers to informal target shooting done for pleasure or practice typically at non-standard targets such as tin cans , logs , cartons , fruits , or any other homemade or naturally occurring objects like rocks (however, it
8352-463: The types of permitted firearms are subject to type approval and few aftermarket modifications are permitted. Thus the terms refer to permitted equipment and modifications rather than the type of shooting format itself. The names Service Rifle and Service Pistol stem from that the equipment permitted for these types of competitions traditionally were based on standard issue firearms used by one or several armed forces and civilian versions of these, while
8448-405: The use of better powerplants and apparatus such as hop-up device for improved external ballistics , making the gameplay more accurately resemble real gunfights. They are also much cheaper for casual players to participate than paintball. Airsoft gameplay varies in style and composition just like paintball and is played in both indoor and outdoor courses. Situations on the field frequently involve
8544-484: The use of real-life military tactics to achieve objectives, and it is not uncommon for participants to emulate the uniforms and equipment of real military and police organizations for a sense of realism. Games are normally supervised (and sometimes umpired) by trained on-site administrators, and players' airsoft guns are usually checked through a chronograph to enforce power output restrictions. There are currently no formal national or international governing bodies for
8640-718: The use of specially built primer -fired pistols to propel wax bullets . Two versions of the sport were demonstration events at the 1906 Olympics and 1908 Olympics . It was also a popular sport in France. Paintball is a competitive sport in which players from opposing teams eliminate opponents out of play by hitting them with round, breakable, dye -filled oil and gelatin pellets ("paintballs"), shot from HPA / CO 2 -powered air guns called paintball markers . It can be played on indoor or outdoor fields scattered with natural or artificial terrain, which players use for tactical cover. Paintball game types vary, but can include capture
8736-414: The use of the word in this sense of abductee became current only in the 1970s. The criminal activity is known as kidnapping . An acute situation where hostages are kept in a building or a vehicle that has been taken over by armed terrorists or common criminals is often called a hostage crisis. Common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions states that the taking of hostages during an internal conflict
8832-524: The winter Biathlon, where the shooter runs from a starting line to a target lane, shoots and retrieves the darts, and continues to the next station. The course length varies from 400 to 800 m with from 9 to 16 targets at various heights and shooting distances. The final style is the Long Distance target shoot. The target is a circle of 24 cm diameter, and the firing line is 20 m away. Three darts are fired by each shooter, at least one of which must stick in
8928-575: The world. A standardization of competition style is based upon fukiya , and governed by the International Fukiyado Association. It is a 10-metre target shooting, using a standardized barrel caliber and length, and a standardized dart length and weight as outlined by IFA. There are two more styles, both based upon the Cherokee Annual Gathering Blowgun Competition. The Field Style competition is similar to
9024-539: Was also adopted in the early period of company rule in India , and by France during the French colonization of North Africa . The position of a hostage was that of a prisoner of war , to be retained until the negotiations or treaty obligations were carried out, and liable to punishment (in ancient times), and even to death, in case of treachery or refusal to fulfil the promises made. The practice of taking hostages as security for
9120-790: Was invented in 2011 by John Jackson of Ashley, Indiana , and experienced a boost in popularity from the Hunger Games books and film series , which feature a bow-wielding protagonist Katniss Everdeen . Jackson staged Archery Tag games at local premieres of the films. By 2014, Jackson had licensed the game to 170 locations, mostly in the United States , but also in Russia , Peru and Saudi Arabia . Battle gaming variants of Archery Tag also exist, such as Dagorhir , Amtgard , Belegarth and Darkon , where archers are pitted among melee players welding foam weapons to simulate medieval battles. Esports
9216-412: Was later supposed with Latin hostis ' stranger ' , later ' enemy ' . The long history of political and military use indicates that political authorities or generals would legally agree to hand over one or usually several hostages in the custody of the other side, as guarantee of good faith in the observance of obligations. These obligations would be in the form of signing of a peace treaty, in
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