It's a UKARA Defence, not a license. You don't buy it, you play a game day at a single site 3 times in no less than 2 months to be eligible for a UKARA Defence. After registering, you will be put onto the database and be given a unique number which you can then use to buy realistic airsoft guns. It's not advisable to buy a sniper rifle as your first gun. Without upgrades, most are absolutely terrible and will be completely outclassed by electric guns (AEGs). You'd have to spend at least £200-£300 on upgrades on top of the base gun. There are some which don't need as much spent on them, however it's still a lot more than buying a starter AEG and all the bits to go with it. There's a bit of a variation in site FPS limits, there are official ones stated in the VCRA but sites have their own limits below these. It's usually like this: Sniper rifles 450 FPS or 500 FPS, DMRs (if allowed) 425 FPS max, AEGs 350 FPS, 328 FPS in CQB. The ease of access of the hop up unit depends on the gun. On nearly all, you just pull a cocking handle back and it will be revealed behind a fake bolt carrier or ejection port cover. Hop ups are typically easy to find as they are right at the start of the barrel. The only minimum engagement distances (MEDs) will be for sniper rifles and DMRs, and they're typically 20m for sniper rifles and 15m or so for DMRs. Best eye protection depends on your personal choice, however do not wear normal sunglasses. Those people you saw were idiots, unless they were ballistic rated glasses. You have a choice of clear polycarbonate goggles or mesh goggles. Mesh doesn't fog, however it can be difficult to play in in the dark. You can also get anti-fogging treatments and wipes for goggles. I wouldn't advise wearing ballistic rated glasses as there are gaps for BBs to get into your eyes.
Black_rat reacted to TacMaster in advice on my first gun