Are There Restrictions to Owning an Airsoft Pistol

airsoft-uk-laws-and-regulations

Airsoft
United kingdom Laws & Regulations

Airsoft is a sport enjoyed by a huge number of people. From keeping fit to socialising and perfecting your skills, there are many benefits that regular participation in Airsoft can provide. And as with anything, it is of import to ensure that you understand and are aware of the laws and regulations around the sport before yous play.

UK Law On Purchasing Airsoft Guns

There have been a number of changes to laws in the UK over the years that specifically utilize to the sale and purchase of Airsoft guns, and how these products are classified. These of import acts were designed to prevent realistic looking replica weapons from getting into the hands of individuals who may want to use them for illegitimate purposes. However, UK law does let the auction and apply of Airsoft guns to individuals who qualify for exemption.

Airsoft & The 2006 Violent Crime
Reduction Act (VCRA)

The 2006 Trigger-happy Criminal offence Reduction Human action (VCRA) introduced some robust changes to the style Airsoft guns are treated under Uk law. Originally, this would have seriously changed the way we handle Airsoft guns, maybe to the extent of ending their widespread use as the act made it an offence to supply a realistic imitation firearm (RIF).
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In its original class, this act substantially meant that the auction of airsoft guns became illegal. However, UKAPU, the Airsoft Players Union in the U.k., and UKARA, a non-profit organisation dedicated to Airsoft guns, lobbied to secure an exemption for Airsoft RIFs in the human action, which were detailed in Kickoff 3, Regulations 2007 of which orders 31-xl chronicle specifically to Airsoft guns.

You are a fellow member of an insured historical reenactment organization

You represent a motion-picture show, television or theatre production company

You are a Crown Servant and pursuing your Crown duties

Y'all are a registered Airsoft player with membership at an insured skirmish site

You can find more information about becoming a registered Airsoft player further down the page.

Airsoft & The 2017 Policing & Law-breaking Deed

In 2017, the Policing and Crime Act set out to provide further clarity well-nigh Airsoft guns and the specification thresholds that would be allowed. Exemption for Airsoft Guns inside the Policing and Law-breaking Act 2017 describes what an Airsoft gun is and why it is not seen as a firearm. An 'Airsoft gun' is non to be regarded as a firearm for the purposes of this Act (south. 57A). According to section 57A(2), the following are described equally Airsoft guns.

An 'Airsoft gun' is not to be regarded as a firearm for the purposes of this Act (s. 57A). According to section 57A(2), the following are described as Airsoft guns.

A gun that discharges only a small plastic missile and or any other type of materials.

A gun that tin only release any kind of missile with kinetic energy which doesn't exceed permitted levels.

The 'small plastic missile' cited is completely or partly fabricated from plastics, is spherical and is only up to 8 millimetres in diameter (s. 57A(3)).

If the kinetic free energy created at the muzzle of the gun is more than the permitted level, it volition no longer be considered a soft gun simply a firearm.

The permitted kinetic energy level is:

For a weapon built to discharge up to 2 or more missiles in succession without the need for repeated pressure on the trigger, like in the case of an automated weapon, one.3 joules.

For any other weapon that discharges merely one shot at a time, two.v joules.

Airsoft guns which do non follow the higher up rules and exceed the set limits are considered illegal and may be categorised at section 5 firearms. If you lot are caught with a section 5 firearm without a licence, yous could face a mandatory 5-yr prison sentence.
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Additionally, if you run a venue that uses Airsoft guns for recreation, you may demand to written report total motorcar weapons over 370fps.

What Is The Difference Between An RIF and IF?

Replica Imitation Firearm (RIF)

A replica imitation firearm is 1 that very closely resembles a real gun. In terms of airsoft, this ways replica imitations that are almost visibly duplicate from their genuine counterparts. A simple way of knowing whether an Airsoft gun is classified every bit a RIF is if information technology is a single color such as black, as the real version of the weapon would be. In terms of the law, the 2006 VCRA applies to RIFs and to purchase one of these products information technology is necessary to satisfy one of the exemption criteria

Fake Firearm (IF)

An imitation firearm is 1 that imitates the real thing, yet tin be hands distinguished from a genuine weapon. In terms of Airsoft, IFs are usually guns that are more than l% a color other than black and near oftentimes this is a bright blue, orange, green or other colour. These can be purchased by any individual over the age of 18, and proof of exemption from the VCRA is not required.

Can Anyone Buy An Airsoft Gun?

Anyone aged 18 or over is able to purchase a two tone Airsoft gun in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland. A two tone gun, or simulated firearm (IF) is ane in which the primary colour is significantly different from a real firearm and is usually a bright blue, orange or other colour used to differentiate an Airsoft replica from a genuine weapon.

If you are in the UK, in social club to purchase a single tone replica gun that looks like a real weapon, called a replica fake firearm (RIF), you must be over 18 years onetime and meet one of the criteria that qualifies for exemption from the 2006 Violent Crimes Reduction Deed (VCRA) as listed higher up.

For nigh Airsoft players, the most unproblematic way to qualify for exemption and be able to legally purchase a single tone imitation replica firearm is to become registered.

What Is A Registered Airsoft Player
& How Do I Annals?

Existence registered is valid bear witness to prove yous are a regular Airsoft player at an insured site, and so are exempt for prosecution for purchasing a RIF, which includes single tone Airsoft guns.

To become a registered Airsoft role player y'all will demand to play 3 games over a ii month menses at a skirmish site that is registered with the UKARA. This will hateful that yous are added to the UKARA database and will be given a unique UKARA number that can be used as testify that you are able to legally purchase a single tone replica Airsoft weapon.
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An of import point is that in order to fulfil the requirements of beingness given your UKARA number, you demand to play a minimum of 3 games over a two calendar month flow. This ways that even if you play three games on consecutive days, y'all will non be able to become registered until two months post-obit the date of your get-go game.

Queries & Misconceptions Effectually Airsoft

There are some common queries and misconceptions regarding the safe and legal buy and utilize of Airsoft equipment in the UK. Allow'south cover some of these.

Is Airsoft Prophylactic?

Airsoft is a fantastic sport, offering a neat way to go along fit, every bit well equally providing the opportunity to meet people you may non have had the chance to run into before. Airsoft weapons and ammo are not designed to crusade injury, and while you can certainly feel the impact when you are hit from close range, y'all may struggle to experience whatsoever impact at all from longer range shots, specially through padded or protective Airsoft clothing and gear.
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It is important that Airsoft guns and equipment are handled responsibly, and when playing Airsoft, that all site rules and guidelines are followed. When played responsibly Airsoft is no more dangerous than any sport, with the biggest chance of injury being something like twisting your ankle as y'all run around the site.

Can Children Play Airsoft?

Although children are not legally allowed to purchase an Airsoft gun, it is legal for anyone over the historic period of xviii to purchase and souvenir a 2 tone gun. And so if y'all are a parent, it is completely legal to purchase a two tone Airsoft gun and give it to your child. It is strongly recommended to ensure children participate in Airsoft in a controlled and supervised environment and are taught important prophylactic guidelines before handling a gun.
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Airsoft tin can be a sport for people of a wide range of ages. Children tin can have part in it as long as they thoroughly sympathize the rules that come up with the sport. A person of any age can feel the physical benefits of playing Airsoft, and creating new social connections can be benign to everyone.

Can Airsoft Guns Be Modified To Burn down
Live Ammo?

The great thing about Airsoft guns is the range of accessories that y'all tin can employ to brand your gun individual to yourself and to suit your styles of play, such as aiming devices, extended magazines or silencers. A mutual misconception is that Airsoft guns can be modified to use live ammunition. This is completely faux, and Airsoft rifles will but ever burn plastic armament!

Does Airsoft Cause Problems With
The Police?

As with a lot of aspects in life, the actions of a select few people tin give a bad reputation to something that is for the vast majority of people fun and enjoyable. Taking office in Airsoft skirmishes in a controlled environment where you have permission to play will not cause any bug. Airsoft is a customs as well as a sport, so supporting each other past interim responsibly will ensure everyone gets to savour the sport. Assuming y'all purchase Airsoft guns legally and play responsibly, there is no reason to await any issues or contact with the police.

Savour Airsoft Legally and Responsibly

Essentially, Airsoft is an first-class sport for people of all ages as long as everyone acts responsibly and fairly and follows the regulations.
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If you lot have any queries nearly purchasing Airsoft guns, equipment or accessories, arrive touch with Land Warrior Airsoft where our experienced and friendly squad will be happy to help y'all.
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Be knowledgeable, stay safe and savor your side by side skirmish!