Buying a RIF

[Matthewck]

I'm from Northern Ireland, which means Ireland is right at my doorstep (and yes there is a difference between Northern Ireland and Ireland, lets just not get into that).

In Ireland you do not need a UKARA to purchase a RIF but in Northern Ireland you do, can I drive to Ireland, buy a RIF and go back home to Northern Ireland without committing any offences?

Your help is greatly appreciated

 

[jcheeseright]

No, since you'll be importing a RIF without a defence, which is a crime.

 

[Matthewck]

I go to my local skirmish site monthly, is that not enough defence?

 

[jcheeseright]

If you go monthly why don't you get yourself put on the UKARA database?

At the end of the day, if you thought your defence was solid enough you wouldn't have had to ask the question here. I personally work in absolutes when it comes to legal matters like this, I'm either definitely 100% legally safe or I'm not doing it. In my case that means I got myself onto the UKARA database for a nice easy way to prove my defence that would be very very difficult to argue against. Of course that's just me, I know a lot of guys like to play it a little bit looser and they get away with it.

Question you'll need to ask yourself before you do anything though is "do I want to be the guy that gets caught smuggling imitation firearms across the border into Northern Ireland when I'm not 100% certain I can get myself out of the inevitable uncomfortable chat with the RUC?".

 

[Matthewck]

I am registering, there is a deal on in a shop in Ireland where I can get the gun cheaper than usual. Hence why I asked the question oh and the RUC are long gone mate, its the PSNI I am more worried about

 

[Russe11]

Its tough to be honest. The law only states that you have to be intending to use the gun for skirmishing at an insured site. The problem is that the onus is on you to prove this. If you feel you have enough of a papertrail then it's you that is taking the risk. Have you asked whether you can pay for the gun and get it delivered to your local site for them to look after until you're registered? Maybe the store will be happy if you pay now and collect it when you have UKARA sorted?

 

[Longshot]

Firstly UKARA has nothing to do with the law at all. Neither does 'playing three games in over two months,' being a 'regular skirmisher,' or any of the other UKARA jargon.

Secondly, as Russe11 has pointed out above, the only thing the law requires for you to avail yourself of a defence against prosecution for the illegal act of importing a RIF into the UK is that it is "intended for the purposes of airsoft skirmishing" at a site with "third party liability insurance." Therefore you can import away with a defence in place provided you could show, if called upon to do so, that you were intending to bring the RIF into the country for that purpose and under those conditions.

You are legally covered to do so if you think you can show this, however explaining that to the police if they stop you for some strange reason may not be such an easy matter.

 

[Matthewck]

Thanks for the help everyone I think I will be fine

 

[remus]

hello fellow greenzoner. you should ask boby from greenzone his thoughts as not only would he be part of your defence, but he will know more about it than most, and might know how to help you out. if you pm the site they usually get back to you or you can try ringing him if needs be. you can also try contacting the place your planning on buying from to ask their advise too. really i know several that have gone down and bought guns and brought them up without a defence and never had a problem. so long as you do properly store it coming up i don't foresee a problem, specially if in the proper box etc, but better safe...

 

[Matthewck]

hello fellow greenzoner. you should ask boby from greenzone his thoughts as not only would he be part of your defence, but he will know more about it than most, and might know how to help you out. if you pm the site they usually get back to you or you can try ringing him if needs be. you can also try contacting the place your planning on buying from to ask their advise too. really i know several that have gone down and bought guns and brought them up without a defence and never had a problem. so long as you do properly store it coming up i don't foresee a problem, specially if in the proper box etc, but better safe...

Hey! I was talking to Bob there and I can get a UKARA so I don't need to worry, thanks for you're help, will hopefully see you in my sights at the next GZC skirmish take care!

 

[AK47frizzle]

Here's what you can do if you can't wait.

Get the RIF

Spray paint it two tone whilst still there.

Take it home and it should be fine.

Get UKARA

Remove paint.

PPOOOOWWAAAA!

 

[Longshot]

Here's what you can do if you can't wait.

If he can't wait for what?

 

[Matthewck]

I have filled in my UKARA form and my skirmish site is sending it away, so i don't have to worry now

 

[PrincessLeah1987]

I am from Northern Ireland also and was thinking about the same thing, driving to the ROI and then bringing the RIF back home. It isn't for me, it is for my boyfriend and as far as I can see, if I "gift" the gun to him it is legal for him to own it, providing there has been no exchange of money etc. Therefore, is this technically legal because it is legal for me to buy it in the ROI and legal for him to own it in the UK if he didn't exchange any money for it?

 

[Mack]

I am from Northern Ireland also and was thinking about the same thing, driving to the ROI and then bringing the RIF back home. It isn't for me, it is for my boyfriend and as far as I can see, if I "gift" the gun to him it is legal for him to own it, providing there has been no exchange of money etc. Therefore, is this technically legal because it is legal for me to buy it in the ROI and legal for him to own it in the UK if he didn't exchange any money for it?

Although its legal for you to buy it in the south Leah, you would still be breaking the law by importing it into the uk I would think

(1)A person is guilty of an offence if—

(a)he manufactures a realistic imitation firearm;

(b)he modifies an imitation firearm so that it becomes a realistic imitation firearm;

©he sells a realistic imitation firearm; or

(d)he brings a realistic imitation firearm into Great Britain or causes one to be brought into Great Britain.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/38/part/2

 

[PrincessLeah1987]

Thanks for that Mack.

 

[Mack]

Theres nothing that says you couldnt take your BF with you though and gave him it over the border, so assuming he has a defence he could bring it back.

 

[PrincessLeah1987]

Thats what I had thought. If the whole buying and exchange takes place in the ROI then maybe it would work.