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Airsfot Help

Matthew2124

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Can someone help me? I have recently been bought a airsoft mystery box which an RIF weapon, came in. Is there anyway i can turn it into a IF so i can use it on a site with me being under 18?

 
To confirm - You've ordered a Mystery box, containing a RIF, and it's already been delivered to you, and you're under 18?

 
best just turn in to the police I'm sure they will go easy on you if you come forward. 

"I don't understand how it happened officer I ordered a mystery box from a shop that sells RIFs and they sent me one. I just can't believe this has happened to me. "

Legally speaking you haven't done anything wrong and there is no reason to do anything to it. If you want to use it on a site take it get it chrono'd and hope it's under 350fps on 0.20g bbs.  But I don't understand what you expected to happen RIF or IF it's illegal to sell one to someone under 18. 

 
If you purchased this box you’ve broken the law. If your parent / guardian purchased it your all good.

As far as the RIF goes you can use it no problem PROVIDING you use it for skirmishes meaning you have a valid defence for owning it. If your going to plink in the back garden with it you best convert it into a IF with some neon spray paint.

Im under 18 and own 3 RIF’s never had an issue I obtained all of them legally and use them responsibly. It’s really nothing to worry about. 

 
If you purchased this box you’ve broken the law. If your parent / guardian purchased it your all good.


I believe your wrong there is no law to buying RIFS or IFs under or over 18. The law is around selling RIFs/IFs. Sellers can't sell a RIF to someone without that buyer having a defence or the seller is breaking the law.  A seller can't legally sell a RIF or IF to anyone under 18. 

The laws target the distribution not the owning. As an under 18 there is no laws against owning a RIFs or IFs.

I was wrong it's in fact against the law for someone under 18 to buy or attempt to buy a IF or RIF. In OPs case he parents did it so no law was broken as long as they are over 18. 

@Matthew2124 don't suppose you will tell is what website you ordered this from? I suspect if they aren't reported stunts like this will put airsoft in the news. 

 
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As far as the RIF goes you can use it no problem PROVIDING you use it for skirmishes meaning you have a valid defence for owning it.
This is not true; you do not need a defense to own a RIF. The seller requires a valid defense to sell it to you, and we're past that in this case.

 
no my parents bought it me and an RIF was in it

I didnt buy it

I am under 18 therefore i can use an RIF on a site until im 18 and have my defence number. I was wondering if i spray paint the RIF will i then be able to use it on an airsoft site because then its a IF or doesnt this work?
 

 
I believe your wrong there is no law to buying RIFS or IFs under or over 18. The law is around selling RIFs/IFs. Sellers can't sell a RIF to someone without that buyer having a defence or the seller is breaking the law.  A seller can't legally sell a RIF or IF to anyone under 18. 

The laws target the distribution not the owning. As an under 18 there is no laws against owning a RIFs or IFs.

@Matthew2124 don't suppose you will tell is what website you ordered this from? I suspect if they aren't reported stunts like this will put airsoft in the news. 
Every website I’ve ever seen has notices stating you must be 18 to purchase the product. If an under 18 then proceeds to purchase that item after being informed they must be 18 or over they have committed fraud which is a criminal offence. I just say it’s illegal coz it’s quicker than writing that all the time ?.

This is not true; you do not need a defense to own a RIF. The seller requires a valid defense to sell it to you, and we're past that in this case.
Your stopped by the police and asked about why your carrying a RIF you just shrug and say why not... that’s not gonna end well for you. It’s a grey area but if you have a RIF it’s always a good idea to have a valid reason as to why you have one. Eg I skirmish on a regular basis.

 
no my parents bought it me and an RIF was in it

I didnt buy it

I am under 18 therefore i can use an RIF on a site until im 18 and have my defence number. I was wondering if i spray paint the RIF will i then be able to use it on an airsoft site because then its a IF or doesnt this work?

 
Every website I’ve ever seen has notices stating you must be 18 to purchase the product. If an under 18 then proceeds to purchase that item after being informed they must be 18 or over they have committed fraud which is a criminal offence. I just say it’s illegal coz it’s quicker than writing that all the time ?.


You're right they have committed fraud, but that isn't covered by the VCRA or UKARA so in this case (whereby the OP was gifted the mystery box by his parents) it's entirely irrelevant.

Your stopped by the police and asked about why your carrying a RIF you just shrug and say why not... that’s not gonna end well for you. It’s a grey area but if you have a RIF it’s always a good idea to have a valid reason as to why you have one. Eg I skirmish on a regular basis.


It's not a grey area at all. There is no law against OWNING a RIF. It IS an offence to sell a RIF to a minor and it is illegal for a minor to buy one. In this case the sale was to someone over the age of 18 so again, no offence has been committed.

I am under 18 therefore i can use an RIF on a site until im 18 and have my defence number. I was wondering if i spray paint the RIF will i then be able to use it on an airsoft site because then its a IF or doesnt this work?


Leave it as it is, you're allowed to own it. Don't wave it about in public, take it to site in a proper carrier and go nuts.

 
awsome thank you. so there is no age restrictions on the guns
Not owning them nope. Only at the point of sale there is an age requirement. As others have said be responsible get some kind of gun case / bag for transportation and have a good time.

 
You will be fine. I strongly, strongly advise you to not order any more mystery boxes in the future.

This isn't because it's illegal, it's because without a valid defense there's a chance employees inspecting the packaging as it enters the UK will ask to see your defense. When you can't provide one, the package will be sent back abroad and you'll have to fight to get your money back (Or your parents'!)

E: Oh yeah and mystery boxes are money traps

 
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I am under 18 therefore i can [sic?] use an RIF on a site until im 18 and have my defence number. I was wondering if i spray paint the RIF will i then be able to use it on an airsoft site because then its a IF or doesnt this work?


You have done absolutely nothing wrong.  Neither have your parents.  The seller (doubtless someone with "BB" in their URL) has committed an offence.  That's not your problem, so don't worry about it.

You can own it, and you can use it as a RIF.  You do not need to convert it to an IF.

See: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/38/section/36 - note that the offences are manufacture, modify, sell, or import.  Not purchase, not own, and not use.

However, do please bear in mind that any time that you are in possession of any imitation firearm (RIF or IF) in public, that you're potentially committing an offence under the Firearms Act 1968 Section 19 and that you must have, and be able to prove, that  you have a "reasonable excuse".  That means going to or from an airsoft site.

Other than that, just be responsible with it and you have nothing to worry about, and nothing further to do.  Enjoy.

 
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However, do please bear in mind that any time that you are in possession of any imitation firearm (RIF or IF) in public, that you're potentially committing an offence under the Firearms Act 1968 Section 19 and that you must have, and be able to prove, that  you have a "reasonable excuse".  That means going to or from an airsoft site.
@Lozart that’s what I meant when I said about the grey area ? I just can’t word things as well as rogerborg can.

 
I thought you could only use an RIF on an airsoft field if you have the Defence thing and are above 18?

 
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