the simple answer, daisy, since they were the rifle that people first started using BB sized shot from there airguns but airguns themselves are nearly as old as the rifled barrelThe oldest known air...
A BB gun is an Air Gun. Now if you are asking is a BB gun better than an "Air Soft" gun that is different. As for better, well it all depends on what you want it for. A BB gun will do more damage...