Airsoft guns and protesters

So, the security guards in the lobby at work were telling me that last weekend the protestors blocked as major intersection at Capital Square (3 blocks away) with cars, debry and themselves. New but not out of character. Then they said that several were visibly armed and when confronted by state and local LE during the clearing operation, that one was real but the rest were airsoft rifles. According to the folks doing the confronting, they had no idea that they were airsoft rifles visually even at close range so policy kicked in and they used all the precautions dictated when confronting hostile armed citizens.

No one was arrested but a tragedly was only narrowly averted. I am surprised and relieved that no one was shot. The problem is that airsoft guns of all makes are customer driven to look realisric as possible and wiegh the same as the actual firearm they are imitating, so they do, at 1/2 to 1/10 th the retail price. Thier customer base is mixed between fanboys, mall ninjas, prepper / survivalist groups, vets wanting to preserve hard won skills and organised hobbyists who enjoy a death free form of combat.

For 2A folks like us, why not? From a safety perspective, to me it seems like a future justified shooting riot. Those cops thought 100% that the protestors were locked and loaded and fomenting insurrection. Upon finding out the truth, I hear that all were rattled. My question is, what would happen in your state? What laws cover realistic non-firearms in cases of brandishing (pointing) and threats or police shootings (John Crawford in Bravercreek Walmart)?

I did a thread on the boogaloo bois who allegedly carry airsoft rifles and wear chest rigs/plate carriers. Does anyone have any insight to airsoft use in various groups? Please no names or identifying details, just cites or circumstances please. This is just my morbid curiosity!

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Airsoft guns and protesters