Airsoft Guns

[Wafflesmk2]

catso said:

And likely even easier to illegally acquire a firearm...

And even easier than that to acquire a real, de-activated firearm, although de-acs will be more expensive than the real thing, and much more expensive than airsoft.

[streaky]

Finlandia said:

What if you have a real gun and paint it neon orange, does that make an UZI legal?

What if you buy a gaudily-coloured fake gun and paint it in realistic colours?

This is typical of "knee-jerk law" that tends to act against the larger interest (in this instance, certain enthusiasts and vendors), criminalising them whilst doing little to nothing to address the issue. Banning something does not stop it, contrary to the apparent thoughts of many politicians.

Streaky

[TheAlfaMale]

streaky said:

What if you buy a gaudily-coloured fake gun and paint it in realistic colours?

Streaky

This is technically "Manufacturing" a RIF and hence... Illegal.

[MC]

Big Fluffy One said:

I was quite involved with the discussions whilst the VCR Bill was on its way through Parliament.

Did you work for one of the 'main' retailers/sites or were you a major part of Arnie's/ASCUK at the time? (Just being nosey; used to be quite into the whole 'scene'!)

[Dr Jekyll]

Wafflesmk2 said:

And even easier than that to acquire a real, de-activated firearm, although de-acs will be more expensive than the real thing, and much more expensive than airsoft.

So are real de-activated firearms still legal to buy?

[aka_kerrly]

streaky said:

What if you buy a gaudily-coloured fake gun and paint it in realistic colours?

This is typical of "knee-jerk law" that tends to act against the larger interest (in this instance, certain enthusiasts and vendors), criminalising them whilst doing little to nothing to address the issue. Banning something does not stop it, contrary to the apparent thoughts of many politicians.

Streaky

I completely agree.

I have attended a several airsoft events at multiple sites and have been highly impressed by the professional attitude of the event organisers and the maturity of the players involved. Anyone who doesn't stick to the rules is promptly asked to leave the site.

As I understand it if you attend three events at a UKARA registered site you can apply for a membership which providing you are over 18 allows you to buy RFI weapons.

[HiSpeedGas]

Gordon Benett, I'm on one tonight, If any copper shoots a guy that is carrying something that looks like a gun under a "call out" situation and they shot them then they have my full backing.

You would have to be a grade A numpty otherwise. What was that a few year back where the guy had a novelty fag lighter shaped like a gun? Cops shot him, so would I, how the hell are they supposed to know it's a fag lighter at 25 yards.

Bloody Moat, look at the damage he did, should have been shot on sight, no negotiation! Shoot him!

Come to think of it I might have shot gazza when he turned up with Kentucky fried chicken and a tent, disturbia!!!

[MrBrightSi]

The law did a bit of damage to numbers and what have you, thank god for call of duty and the like making hobbies like this big again. Shame becuase what used to be £150 is now £400 hahaha.

I do not appreciate the Skegness market owner selling tatty but still real looking toys and possibly ending it all, it still employs people, admitedly most of the guns are made in the far east but they are sold through many business that are in the UK.

[mat777]

I have several that I bought before the RIF law came into practice - which is handy as it meant I didnt have to break the law and respray them which I certainly would have done, and bks to the irritating little red dwarf and her stupid law. all its meant is that chavs buy a can of spraypaint and give the gaudy gun a blowover.

One thing that sprung to mind - where would one stand legally on selling an RIF made before the law came into practice, such as a realistic bb gun?

[AlexiusG55]

HiSpeedGas said:

Gordon Benett, I'm on one tonight, If any copper shoots a guy that is carrying something that looks like a gun under a "call out" situation and they shot them then they have my full backing.

You would have to be a grade A numpty otherwise. What was that a few year back where the guy had a novelty fag lighter shaped like a gun? Cops shot him, so would I, how the hell are they supposed to know it's a fag lighter at 25 yards.

Bloody Moat, look at the damage he did, should have been shot on sight, no negotiation! Shoot him!

Come to think of it I might have shot gazza when he turned up with Kentucky fried chicken and a tent, disturbia!!!

I take it you'd shoot people for carrying table legs as well- I suppose he was a "Grade A numpty" and deserved to be shot for carrying something long in a bag?

[croyde]

AlexiusG55 said:

I take it you'd shoot people for carrying table legs as well- I suppose he was a "Grade A numpty" and deserved to be shot for carrying something long in a bag?

I maybe someone prone to worrying to much but I always think of Harry Stanley whenever I am carrying an object that could be construed as a gun in public ie a broom, a mop, a piece of 2x4 or even a rolled up newspaper.

The police in this country always give me such confidence. Do they actually shoot dead more innocents than real criminals?

[daz3210]

mat777 said:

I have several that I bought before the RIF law came into practice - which is handy as it meant I didnt have to break the law and respray them which I certainly would have done, and bks to the irritating little red dwarf and her stupid law. all its meant is that chavs buy a can of spraypaint and give the gaudy gun a blowover.

One thing that sprung to mind - where would one stand legally on selling an RIF made before the law came into practice, such as a realistic bb gun?

I guess you fall under the same rules as traders.

[Crazy Torque]

The legislation was all part of Labour and the Police's Violent Crime Reduction Bill (they recommended a lot of it), and which cost a fortune to implement, and some loss of sales for those trading in such items, whose turnover dropped by 5 or 6 million a year (gotta affect a few shops sales)

You'd think that after such a brilliant strategy that has caused such inconvenience and huge loss (albiet to a relative few), that the Government or the Police would have come forward brandishing the huge figures that show exactly how much of a vast percentage Violent Crime has been reduced in the UK as a result.

[mattmoxon]

Crazy Torque said:

The legislation was all part of Labour and the Police's Violent Crime Reduction Bill (they recommended a lot of it), and which cost a fortune to implement, and some loss of sales for those trading in such items, whose turnover dropped by 5 or 6 million a year (gotta affect a few shops sales)

You'd think that after such a brilliant strategy that has caused such inconvenience and huge loss (albiet to a relative few), that the Government or the Police would have come forward brandishing the huge figures that show exactly how much of a vast percentage Violent Crime has been reduced in the UK as a result.

You mean the same statistics as banning handguns and semi-automatic centre fire rifles lowered gun crime?