How Many Guns Are You Allowed to Carry in Airsoft

airsoft-great britain-laws-and-regulations

Airsoft
UK 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 important to ensure that you empathise and are aware of the laws and regulations effectually the sport before you play.

UK Constabulary On Purchasing Airsoft Guns

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

Airsoft & The 2006 Tearing Crime
Reduction Act (VCRA)

The 2006 Violent Offense Reduction Act (VCRA) introduced some robust changes to the fashion Airsoft guns are treated under UK law. Originally, this would take seriously changed the way we handle Airsoft guns, perhaps to the extent of catastrophe their widespread use equally the act made it an offence to supply a realistic imitation firearm (RIF).
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In its original form, this deed essentially meant that the auction of airsoft guns became illegal. Nevertheless, UKAPU, the Airsoft Players Wedlock in the UK, and UKARA, a non-profit arrangement dedicated to Airsoft guns, lobbied to secure an exemption for Airsoft RIFs in the deed, which were detailed in Commencement 3, Regulations 2007 of which orders 31-xl relate specifically to Airsoft guns.

You are a member of an insured historical reenactment organisation

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

You are a Crown Servant and pursuing your Crown duties

Yous are a registered Airsoft actor with membership at an insured skirmish site

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

Airsoft & The 2017 Policing & Law-breaking Deed

In 2017, the Policing and Crime Deed set out to provide further clarity nigh Airsoft guns and the specification thresholds that would be allowed. Exemption for Airsoft Guns within the Policing and Crime Act 2017 describes what an Airsoft gun is and why it is not seen as a firearm. An 'Airsoft gun' is not to be regarded as a firearm for the purposes of this Human action (s. 57A). According to department 57A(2), the following are described as Airsoft guns.

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

A gun that discharges merely a small plastic missile and or whatever other type of materials.

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

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

If the kinetic energy created at the cage of the gun is more than the permitted level, information technology will no longer be considered a soft gun only 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, 1.3 joules.

For whatsoever other weapon that discharges only i shot at a time, two.5 joules.

Airsoft guns which do non follow the above rules and exceed the set limits are considered illegal and may be categorised at section five firearms. If you are defenseless with a section 5 firearm without a licence, you lot could confront a mandatory five-twelvemonth prison house sentence.
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Additionally, if you run a venue that uses Airsoft guns for recreation, you may need to study full auto weapons over 370fps.

What Is The Difference 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 means replica imitations that are almost visibly indistinguishable from their 18-carat counterparts. A elementary way of knowing whether an Airsoft gun is classified equally a RIF is if information technology is a unmarried color such as black, equally the real version of the weapon would be. In terms of the law, the 2006 VCRA applies to RIFs and to buy one of these products it is necessary to satisfy one of the exemption criteria

Imitation Firearm (IF)

An imitation firearm is 1 that imitates the real thing, nonetheless can be easily distinguished from a genuine weapon. In terms of Airsoft, IFs are unremarkably guns that are more than than 50% a colour other than black and virtually often this is a bright blue, orange, greenish or other color. These can be purchased by any individual over the historic period of xviii, and proof of exemption from the VCRA is not required.

Tin Anyone Buy An Airsoft Gun?

Anyone aged xviii 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 imitation firearm (IF) is i in which the main color is significantly different from a real firearm and is commonly a bright blue, orangish or other color used to differentiate an Airsoft replica from a genuine weapon.

If you lot are in the UK, in order to buy a single tone replica gun that looks like a existent weapon, called a replica faux firearm (RIF), you must exist over 18 years sometime and meet one of the criteria that qualifies for exemption from the 2006 Violent Crimes Reduction Act (VCRA) as listed above.

For nigh Airsoft players, the virtually simple way to qualify for exemption and be able to legally purchase a single tone simulated replica firearm is to go registered.

What Is A Registered Airsoft Role player
& How Do I Register?

Being registered is valid evidence to prove y'all 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 player you will need to play three games over a 2 month flow at a skirmish site that is registered with the UKARA. This volition mean that you are added to the UKARA database and will exist given a unique UKARA number that tin can be used as evidence that you are able to legally purchase a single tone replica Airsoft weapon.
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An important signal is that in order to fulfil the requirements of existence given your UKARA number, you demand to play a minimum of three games over a two month period. This means that even if you play three games on consecutive days, y'all will not be able to go registered until 2 months post-obit the date of your first game.

Queries & Misconceptions Around Airsoft

There are some mutual queries and misconceptions regarding the rubber and legal purchase and use of Airsoft equipment in the UK. Let'due south embrace some of these.

Is Airsoft Safe?

Airsoft is a fantastic sport, offering a great way to go along fit, likewise equally providing the opportunity to meet people you may not have had the hazard to run into before. Airsoft weapons and ammo are non designed to crusade injury, and while you can certainly feel the impact when you are hit from close range, you may struggle to feel any impact at all from longer range shots, peculiarly 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 than dangerous than any sport, with the biggest risk of injury existence something like twisting your ankle as you run around the site.

Tin can Children Play Airsoft?

Although children are not legally allowed to purchase an Airsoft gun, it is legal for anyone over the age of 18 to purchase and souvenir a two tone gun. So if you are a parent, it is completely legal to purchase a two tone Airsoft gun and give it to your child. Information technology is strongly recommended to ensure children participate in Airsoft in a controlled and supervised environment and are taught important safe guidelines before handling a gun.
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Airsoft can be a sport for people of a wide range of ages. Children can take part in it as long as they thoroughly understand the rules that come with the sport. A person of any age tin experience the concrete benefits of playing Airsoft, and creating new social connections can exist benign to anybody.

Can Airsoft Guns Be Modified To Fire
Live Ammo?

The great thing about Airsoft guns is the range of accessories that you can use to brand your gun individual to yourself and to suit your styles of play, such as aiming devices, extended magazines or silencers. A common misconception is that Airsoft guns can exist modified to utilise live ammunition. This is completely false, and Airsoft rifles will only always fire plastic ammunition!

Does Airsoft Cause Issues With
The Police?

Equally with a lot of aspects in life, the deportment of a select few people can give a bad reputation to something that is for the vast majority of people fun and enjoyable. Taking part in Airsoft skirmishes in a controlled surroundings where you accept permission to play volition not cause any issues. Airsoft is a community equally well as a sport, so supporting each other by acting responsibly will ensure everyone gets to enjoy the sport. Bold y'all purchase Airsoft guns legally and play responsibly, there is no reason to wait any issues or contact with the law.

Enjoy Airsoft Legally and Responsibly

Essentially, Airsoft is an excellent sport for people of all ages every bit long as everyone acts responsibly and fairly and follows the regulations.
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If you accept whatsoever queries almost purchasing Airsoft guns, equipment or accessories, get in affect with Land Warrior Airsoft where our experienced and friendly team will exist happy to assistance you.
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Be knowledgeable, stay safe and bask your adjacent skirmish!