| Airsoft and the Law |
| This is a quick guide to the law and is an interpretation of it, if you want a more comprehensive guide please read one of the many others available on the web - I suggest this one - as they are more likely to be accurate than mine. Airsoft in the UK is primarily governed by the Firearms Act, which limits the muzzle velocities of all projectile firing objects i.e. guns, replicas and so forth. Airsoft toys, which are Fully Automatic, are limited by section 5 of the Firearms Act and thus have a maximum muzzle velocity of approximately 383fps (1.35 J muzzle energy) with .2g ammunition. Within the UK, the Airsoft Community has generally adopted the standard of 328 fps (1 J) as the limit for automatic fire - providing a comfortable buffer zone between the Player and the Law. This Self-Imposed limit is policed within the community and enforced on most sites within the UK Single shot bolt action style weapons firing at above 328fps have recently been proved to be illegal for use in Airsoft Skirmishing. Yes, that's right, that sniper rifle you paid all that money for is ILLEGAL if you fire it at another person. This is Assault with a FireArm and/or Assault with a Lethal Weapon and carries VERY HEAVY penalties. DO NOT SKIRMISH with ANY WEAPON firing at MORE THAN 328 FPS. The Airsofting Community takes a harsh view on anyone using Airsoft toys or other replica weapons in a dangerous or illegal way and on anyone suggesting unsafe or illegal practises with Airsoft toys, replica weapons or real firearms. The UK Airsoft Community is a group of safety-conscious, law-abiding sportspeople. Finally: NEVER take your Airsoft toy into the street and use it in any way. This will lead to the local Armed Response Unit turning up and asking you some awkward questions at gunpoint - and their MP5s are REAL and fire much heavier ammo at much higher fps than your airsoft replica does. Any incidents negatively impact the sport of Airosfting, which is struggling against biased anti-firearms and anti-replica laws and proposals. Please THINK before you do anything that will harm the sport. |
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| UN Weapons Inspectors uncover the Fighting Hedgehogs' cache of small-arms in Manchester. |