Why are airsoft RIFs under the UKARA act, but airguns not?

[Tamberlin]

It is they are not deemed lethal whereas an air rifle/pistol is. It might not be a perfect system but it is not complicated and is incredibly easy to qualify for UKARA.

You're right about UKARA being easy to qualify for, but the system is a joke.

 

[ImTriggerHappy]

You're right about UKARA being easy to qualify for, but the system is a joke.

This is something that really gets me.
Yes UKARA isn't perfect and neither is the vcra but they are both pretty straight forward and just require a bit of common sense to deal with.

It's better than an all out ban like some countries have. People just need to approach both with a bit of logic and stop trying to pick them apart, take them in the spirit of what they are and its simple.

Most problems with them are either people trying to circumvent them or people just being plain stupid.

I have no issues with the system and neither do most airsofters but if people keep bleating on enough then eventually someone will start trying to change things and that will probably be for the worst.

 

[tinkle60]

It is they are not deemed lethal whereas an air rifle/pistol is. It might not be a perfect system but it is not complicated and is incredibly easy to qualify for UKARA.

But where do you draw the line? Is there a legally defined limit for lethality? There are airsoft guns above the recommended (I stress recommended as, again, I can see nothing in legislation) limits for lethality and air weapons that are below.

 

[PT247]

But where do you draw the line? Is there a legally defined limit for lethality? There are airsoft guns above the recommended (I stress recommended as, again, I can see nothing in legislation) limits for lethality and air weapons that are below.

The definition of a firearm under the act is "a lethal barrelled weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet or other missile can be discharged" it further defines "lethal weapon" as "a weapon capable of firing a projectile with sufficient force to inflict more than a trivial injury i.e.. with sufficient force to puncture skin". The Home Office consider the lowest level of muzzle energy capable of inflicting a penetrating wound is one foot pound (1.35 joules) hence guns producing less than 1ft/lb are not covered by the act and therefore not classified as air weapons or subject to any restrictions.

So 380fps on a 0.2g BB which is why in the UK 350 is the limit with no MED for most woodland sites. giving a margin of error on the chrono. It is why BASRs have an MED as it would be deemed they will have dropped enough energy by the time they have travelled that distance.

 

[Sacarathe]

A few people on page one of this thread have implied that if a 'gun' is a 'firearm' in law then it does not matter it's appearance - that is to say if it is externally indistinguishable from a similar [airsoft] Realistic Imitation Firearm, it is easier to purchase than an [airsoft] RIF - but that does not make sense, else people would be putting 3,4 or 5 joule springs in airsoft guns to circumvent UKARA and selling airsoft guns by the airgun format [circumventing the UKARA 2m hold] - in person from licensed gun stores.

This doesn't seem right (I have not checked the law or airgun rules as I don't believe this is a correct implication).

NB, VCRA makes no mention that a RIF is [must be] an airsoft gun, or that an airsoft gun is [must be] a RIF

 

[AndyGif290368]

A few people on page one of this thread have implied that if a 'gun' is a 'firearm' in law then it does not matter it's appearance - that is to say if it is externally indistinguishable from a similar [airsoft] Realistic Imitation Firearm, it is easier to purchase than an [airsoft] RIF - but that does not make sense, else people would be putting 3,4 or 5 joule springs in airsoft guns to circumvent UKARA and selling airsoft guns by the airgun format [circumventing the UKARA 2m hold] - from licensed gun stores.

This doesn't seem right (I have not checked the law or airgun rules as I don't believe this is a correct implication).

NB, VCRA makes no mention that a RIF is [must be] an airsoft gun, or that an airsoft gun is [must be] a RIF

yes a valid point, though you're not likely to be buying an air-rifle RIF from a "toy shop", yes I used the T word toy (let the flaming commence). Airsoft guns are classed as toys.

We all have to remember it's not an offence to own a RIF, it's an offence to act like a dick with one in public, it's an offence to sell one if you not sure what it's going to be used for.

Build a 1:1 scale model pistol kit paint realistically, and wave it about in public, and the local ARU will be shouting at you and telling you drop it and kiss the ground, and no matter shouting back at them it's just a "toy" will not mitigate their possible response.

 

[Sacarathe]

yes a valid point, though you're not likely to be buying an air-rifle RIF from a "toy shop", yes I used the T word toy (let the flaming commence). Airsoft guns are classed as toys.

To be fair, I would bet not more than 20% of this forum's users/readers would be deluded enough to disagree.

it's an offence to act like a dick with one in public,

Lol, its a bit easier than that, just allowing someone to see it is the offence, doesn't matter how/why.

 

[AndyGif290368]

Well you do need to be a dick to take one out in public and not expect to chewing tarmac or leaking the crimson in short order. I don't even like having mine on the bench with out pulling the curtains so Joe public can't look through the window.

 

[Tamberlin]

Well you do need to be a dick to take one out in public and not expect to chewing tarmac or leaking the crimson in short order. I don't even like having mine on the bench with out pulling the curtains so Joe public can't look through the window.

Perhaps I shouldn't be resting on the rooftop with my RIF GBBR, shooting at targets in my garden

 

[AndyGif290368]

Perhaps I shouldn't be resting on the rooftop with my RIF GBBR, shooting at targets in my garden

nope, is that a police helicopter that keeps flying over your place???

And no deadheading the neighbour's roses or gnomes with it.