MH. B

So.... HMRC actually got back to me pretty rapidly, however, they have suggested that I speak to the Home Office Violent Crime Unit to get an answer to the question I posed above... ... I'll post any response I get! Although starting to feel like a criminal, just by seeking clarification of some pretty shonky legislation ;-)

Thanks for the replies guys, really appreciate the help! Russe11, strangely the problem is not airline security, you can check in real steel over here no problems! As long as they're in hold, declared and secured it shouldn't be an issue! Big Al, appreciate the offer of help, I'll pm you. Thanks,.

Thanks mate, I've got the standard automatic email response, with a ref. number(!). They get 15 working days to respond, I'll post any response I get on this thread. I'm hopeful that by being straight up and open then I can get to the bottom of it... .... Rather this than getting arrested at Heathrow ;-)

Just submitted this email query to HMRC, we'll see if they respond! "I'm a member of the UK military and I'm currently living and working in the USA on an authorised deployment. During my deployment I have taken up the hobby of 'airsoft'. My query relates to bringing (importing) my Realistic Immitation Firearms (RIFs) that I use for this hobby back into the UK at the end of my deployment. I am likely to return to the UK via Heathrow airport. I've read around the UK law and understand the defences against the Violent Crime Reduction Act (VCRA), specifically section 36(1)(d), and the offence of importing a RIF into the UK. Given, this my defence would be under: "the organisation and holding of permitted activities for which public liability insurance is held in relation to liabilities to third parties arising from or in connection with the organisation and holding of those activities". I am aware of the UKARA scheme, that allows airsoft retailers to sell airsoft RIFs to UKARA members in the UK, but to my understanding this is not necessarily a VCRA defence. Rather, membership of UKARA provides evidence of participation in the hobby, which can be used to support the defence stated above. I will be unable to complete my UKARA membership prior to returning to the UK (play 3 airsoft games over a period greater than 2 months at a registered site). Given this, I'm unsure how I prove that I'm a 'skirmisher' participating in this hobby, as so far I have only participated in airsoft events in the USA." I didn't realise the law would be so unclear!

Thanks mate, appreciate the thought, but I'm probably not going to be able to get that organised...

Hi all I'm new to these forums, but wanting some advice/opinion on an issue. So... I'm a member of the UK military and I've been living and working in the USA for the last year and a half, in this time I've got into airsoft (believe me most of the time I drive a desk....)! However, I'm going to be heading back to the UK later this year and I'll be bringing my RIFs with me, now I've read around the UK law and understand the defences against the VCRA.... ....but it seems the easiest defence when I pass through UK customs is a UKARA one. Now whilst I've signed up to the British Airsoft Club, I won't be able to complete the requirement (3 games, greater than 2 months) by the time I'll be finishing in the USA, to get a registration number. The Crown servant defence is unlikely to wash either. I also understand that UKARA is not required for ownership, but I'm unsure how I prove I'm a skirmisher otherwise. Has anyone been in this situation? Or have any thoughts or advice? Thanks.