How to Buy a Airsoft Gun

airsoft-uk-laws-and-regulations

Airsoft
Britain Laws & Regulations

Airsoft is a sport enjoyed by a huge number of people. From keeping fit to socialising and perfecting your skills, in that location are many benefits that regular participation in Airsoft can provide. And as with annihilation, information technology is important to ensure that you empathize and are aware of the laws and regulations effectually the sport before yous play.

U.k. Constabulary On Purchasing Airsoft Guns

In that location have been a number of changes to laws in the United kingdom over the years that specifically apply to the sale and buy of Airsoft guns, and how these products are classified. These of import acts were designed to foreclose realistic looking replica weapons from getting into the hands of individuals who may desire to use them for illegitimate purposes. Nonetheless, UK police force does permit the auction and use of Airsoft guns to individuals who qualify for exemption.

Airsoft & The 2006 Violent Crime
Reduction Deed (VCRA)

The 2006 Violent Crime Reduction Act (VCRA) introduced some robust changes to the way Airsoft guns are treated under UK police. Originally, this would have seriously inverse the way we handle Airsoft guns, maybe to the extent of ending their widespread utilise as the act made it an offence to supply a realistic imitation firearm (RIF).
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In its original form, this act essentially meant that the sale of airsoft guns became illegal. However, UKAPU, the Airsoft Players Union in the UK, and UKARA, a non-profit organisation defended to Airsoft guns, lobbied to secure an exemption for Airsoft RIFs in the act, which were detailed in Commencement iii, Regulations 2007 of which orders 31-forty relate specifically to Airsoft guns.

You are a fellow member of an insured historical reenactment organisation

You represent a pic, tv set or theatre product 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 than information about becoming a registered Airsoft player further down the page.

Airsoft & The 2017 Policing & Crime Act

In 2017, the Policing and Crime Deed prepare out to provide further clarity nigh Airsoft guns and the specification thresholds that would exist allowed. Exemption for Airsoft Guns within the Policing and Criminal offence Act 2017 describes what an Airsoft gun is and why it is non seen as a firearm. An 'Airsoft gun' is not to be regarded every bit a firearm for the purposes of this Act (due south. 57A). According to section 57A(2), the following are described as Airsoft guns.

An 'Airsoft gun' is non to be regarded as a firearm for the purposes of this Act (s. 57A). According to section 57A(2), the post-obit are described equally Airsoft guns.

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

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

The 'small plastic missile' cited is completely or partly made from plastics, is spherical and is but up to 8 millimetres in diameter (due south. 57A(3)).

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

The permitted kinetic free energy level is:

For a weapon congenital to belch up to ii or more missiles in succession without the need for repeated pressure level on the trigger, like in the case of an automatic weapon, 1.3 joules.

For whatsoever other weapon that discharges only 1 shot at a time, 2.5 joules.

Airsoft guns which do not follow the in a higher place rules and exceed the set limits are considered illegal and may be categorised at section 5 firearms. If y'all are defenseless with a department five firearm without a licence, you could face a mandatory five-year prison sentence.
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Additionally, if y'all run a venue that uses Airsoft guns for recreation, you may need to report full motorcar weapons over 370fps.

What Is The Departure Between An RIF and IF?

Replica Imitation Firearm (RIF)

A replica imitation firearm is one that very closely resembles a real gun. In terms of airsoft, this ways replica imitations that are almost visibly indistinguishable from their genuine counterparts. A simple fashion of knowing whether an Airsoft gun is classified as a RIF is if it 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 buy i of these products it is necessary to satisfy ane of the exemption criteria

Fake Firearm (IF)

An fake firearm is i that imitates the real thing, all the same can exist hands distinguished from a genuine weapon. In terms of Airsoft, IFs are ordinarily guns that are more than 50% a colour other than black and most oftentimes this is a bright blue, orange, green or other color. These tin can be purchased by any individual over the age of eighteen, 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 UK. A ii tone gun, or fake firearm (IF) is one in which the main color is significantly different from a existent firearm and is ordinarily a bright blueish, orangish or other color used to differentiate an Airsoft replica from a genuine weapon.

If y'all are in the U.k., in lodge to purchase a single tone replica gun that looks like a real weapon, called a replica simulated firearm (RIF), you must be over 18 years onetime and see one of the criteria that qualifies for exemption from the 2006 Violent Crimes Reduction Act (VCRA) as listed above.

For most Airsoft players, the well-nigh simple fashion to authorize for exemption and exist able to legally buy a single tone imitation replica firearm is to get registered.

What Is A Registered Airsoft Actor
& How Do I Register?

Being registered is valid prove to prove you lot are a regular Airsoft role player at an insured site, and so are exempt for prosecution for purchasing a RIF, which includes unmarried tone Airsoft guns.

To become a registered Airsoft actor you will need to play three games over a two month flow at a skirmish site that is registered with the UKARA. This will hateful that you are added to the UKARA database and will be given a unique UKARA number that can exist used every bit show that you are able to legally purchase a unmarried tone replica Airsoft weapon.
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An important point is that in order to fulfil the requirements of beingness given your UKARA number, you need to play a minimum of three games over a 2 calendar month period. This means that fifty-fifty if you play 3 games on sequent days, you will not exist able to go registered until ii months following the date of your first game.

Queries & Misconceptions Around Airsoft

There are some common queries and misconceptions regarding the safe and legal purchase and employ of Airsoft equipment in the UK. Permit's encompass some of these.

Is Airsoft Safe?

Airsoft is a fantastic sport, offering a great way to proceed fit, every bit well as providing the opportunity to run across people y'all may not have had the chance to run into before. Airsoft weapons and ammo are not designed to cause injury, and while y'all can certainly feel the impact when yous are hit from close range, you lot may struggle to experience whatever impact at all from longer range shots, particularly through padded or protective Airsoft habiliment 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 than dangerous than whatever sport, with the biggest run a risk of injury being something like twisting your ankle every bit you lot run around the site.

Tin Children Play Airsoft?

Although children are not legally immune to buy an Airsoft gun, it is legal for anyone over the age of 18 to buy and gift a two tone gun. So if y'all are a parent, it is completely legal to buy a 2 tone Airsoft gun and give information technology to your child. It is strongly recommended to ensure children participate in Airsoft in a controlled and supervised surround and are taught important rubber 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 take part in information technology as long as they thoroughly understand the rules that come with the sport. A person of any age tin experience the physical benefits of playing Airsoft, and creating new social connections tin can be beneficial to everyone.

Can Airsoft Guns Exist Modified To Fire
Alive Ammo?

The peachy thing most Airsoft guns is the range of accessories that you can use to make your gun individual to yourself and to adapt your styles of play, such equally aiming devices, extended magazines or silencers. A common misconception is that Airsoft guns tin can be modified to use live ammunition. This is completely false, and Airsoft rifles will only ever burn down plastic ammunition!

Does Airsoft Cause Bug With
The Police?

As with a lot of aspects in life, the actions of a select few people can give a bad reputation to something that is for the vast bulk of people fun and enjoyable. Taking part in Airsoft skirmishes in a controlled environment where you take permission to play will non cause any issues. Airsoft is a community as well as a sport, so supporting each other past acting responsibly will ensure everyone gets to enjoy the sport. Assuming you purchase Airsoft guns legally and play responsibly, there is no reason to await any issues or contact with the police force.

Enjoy Airsoft Legally and Responsibly

Essentially, Airsoft is an first-class sport for people of all ages as long as everyone acts responsibly and adequately and follows the regulations.
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If you have any queries about purchasing Airsoft guns, equipment or accessories, get in touch on with Country Warrior Airsoft where our experienced and friendly team will be happy to help yous.
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Be knowledgeable, stay safe and enjoy your next skirmish!