Firearm ban

[Holt19851985]

You're doing right exploring this with the authorities themselves...

As above, I think we should be very very careful assuming in any way that forum logic will apply to the police or legal systems...

I advise you get something in writing from the police, courts or probation services (have you contacted the National Offender Management Service) confirming it is ok, otherwise tell your friend not to have possession of one unless it is at most, a rental from a legit site within the boundary of said site.

Hope you get what you need.

i did email the minister of justice, who replied and told me to take it up with the home office which i have forwarded the email to.

once i find out an actual answer i will be sure to let you all know the outcome

 

[Holt19851985]

Well, the firearms officer phoned today the answer was no, you can't play airsoft with a firearms ban and if you are caught you will receive a five year prison sentence.

The police still see an airaoft rifle as air powered and thus coming in under the firearm.

Something about criminal act maybe vcra not sure missed which act but under section 21.

So yea if you have a ban no airsoft for you. You can appeal your ban but it only gets turned over mostly for hardship cases not for someone to go play a sport or hobby.

 

[ImTriggerHappy]

A firearms ban can cover replica weapons thats probably why airsoft guns fall foul.

Lets be honest it would be just as easy to threaten someone or do an armed robbery with a rif as it would a real gun.

 

[skarra333]

Well, the firearms officer phoned today the answer was no, you can't play airsoft with a firearms ban and if you are caught you will receive a five year prison sentence.

The police still see an airaoft rifle as air powered and thus coming in under the firearm.

Something about criminal act maybe vcra not sure missed which act but under section 21.

So yea if you have a ban no airsoft for you. You can appeal your ban but it only gets turned over mostly for hardship cases not for someone to go play a sport or hobby.

Is he forbidden from play totally then, even with a rental on a site he'd still get locked up if they caught him? Coppers and law-types have curious logic at times.

 

[Holt19851985]

Yea total ban, five years if caught playing even with a rental gun as it's in possession of.silly if you ask me.

He would be legally allowed to take up archery with a crossbow or normal bow which is lethal but not play airsoft heh.

 

[TheGrover]

I think that the officers giving the advice are just staying on the side of caution. Airsoft replica guns have specific exemption from certain aspects of firearm law and are legally defined as imitation firearms.

 

[Sacarathe]

While I am inclined to agree - a history of gun crime and a firearms ban makes establishing illicit intent significantly easier and would prejudice a jury severely. That and breaking of skin is an establishable ABH offence - airsoft players do not sign waivers that they won't sue each other civilly or criminally nor call the police, only the site and it's management.

 

[skarra333]

I think that the officers giving the advice are just staying on the side of caution. Airsoft replica guns have specific exemption from certain aspects of firearm law and are legally defined as imitation firearms.

Although one element of law may define airsoft weapons in a certain way as not firearms, that does not mean that firearms legislation doesn't apply, in fact sometimes just the opposite. Just as an example, the offence of "Possession of firearm with intent to cause fear of violence" says: It is an offence for a person to have in his possession any firearm or imitation firearm with intent... blah blah blah.

I think the main thing here is that as far as I know, none of us are lawyers, and the chap's been advised not to go near airsoft, and however odd that is (given as mentioned, he can still use a crossbow) he should follow the guidance.

 

[Sitting Duck]

bummer

laughable thing is though - if he was a hardened criminal no matter what

and he wanted to get hold of a firearm - would he really give a flying f*ck ???

(and could probably obtain a firearm quicker than ukara or any of us buying a RIF)

all this does is stop somebody legally obtaining a firearm or airsoft or friggin Nerf gun I'm amazed that was on the list

sorry to hear after making all these enquiries that it is still a no no

(not the hair remover)

is a crossbow a firearm, or is he ok to buy a set of carving knives ?

soz but think they are being ultra cautious and a safe "no chance m8"

hope the ban soon lifts and he can keep his nose clean and put all this behind him

best wishes

 

[TheGrover]

Although one element of law may define airsoft weapons in a certain way as not firearms, that does not mean that firearms legislation doesn't apply, in fact sometimes just the opposite. Just as an example, the offence of "Possession of firearm with intent to cause fear of violence" says: It is an offence for a person to have in his possession any firearm or imitation firearm with intent... blah blah blah.

I think the main thing here is that as far as I know, none of us are lawyers, and the chap's been advised not to go near airsoft, and however odd that is (given as mentioned, he can still use a crossbow) he should follow the guidance.

I just read the specific section, and it clearly applies only to firearms and there is exactly zero mention of imitation firearms.

Even more prudent, the only people who can decide this for certain are twelve peers and a man in a curly hair wig, which means a trip to the courts, and as yet. I don't think there has ever been a criminal case involving an airsoft player

 

[GiantKiwi]

Well, as apart from the OP's posts, most of this appears to be speculation, I know someone personally who received a fixed term firearms ban, and he was categorically told that he wasn't able to have anything to do with airsoft during that fixed term, unless he really wanted a stay at HM's pleasure.

So OP, no, your family member won't be able to take part in airsoft at all.

 

[skarra333]

I just read the specific section, and it clearly applies only to firearms and there is exactly zero mention of imitation firearms.

Even more prudent, the only people who can decide this for certain are twelve peers and a man in a curly hair wig, which means a trip to the courts, and as yet. I don't think there has ever been a criminal case involving an airsoft player

Are we looking at different things?>> http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/sentencing_manual/section_16a_firearms_act/

 

[Sacarathe]

Are we looking at different things?>> http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/sentencing_manual/section_16a_firearms_act/

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/contents (?)

 

[TheGrover]

Are we looking at different things?>> http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/sentencing_manual/section_16a_firearms_act/

Edit: I can't English
Yes we are. The section you quote is in regards to carrying an (imitation) firearm with intent.

Buying an airsoft gun to skirmish with and not to be a tool is a different section, there is another section specifically dealing with people who have been released from custody

 

[skarra333]

Fair dos.

 

[two_zero]

You don't get over 5 years in prison for stealing a mars bar. There's a reason for the firearms ban.

I fail to see any scenario or perspective (other than that of a criminal) where letting a convicted criminal own or handle a realistic imitation firearm (or anything that even remotely resembles a weapon of any type) would be a good thing.

 

[ImTriggerHappy]

You don't get over 5 years in prison for stealing a mars bar. There's a reason for the firearms ban.

I fail to see any scenario or perspective (other than that of a criminal) where letting a convicted criminal own or handle a realistic imitation firearm (or anything that even remotely resembles a weapon of any type) would be a good thing.

Thats a pretty narrow view of things. Just because someone has committed a crime doesn't mean that they will again or that they are necessarily a bad person. There are lots of ex cons doing well for themselves and doing good by others. If they have done the time then they have paid for it and deserve the chance to move on. Unless they are a rapist or paedo then they should be tortured to death very slowly.

 

[Sitting Duck]

again - I say any hardened crimminal if they really wanted....

bet they could obtain a real firearm quicker than most of us could get a RIF

Big Ron so to speak would give a toss about a firearms ban if he was planning on something

Just a quick word in "Nobby the Nutter" 's ear, meet us in 2hrs at back of The Wellington pub etc.....

I knew a bloke who did 18yrs inside

he was a screw and a right w@nker btw

but all the same - he did his time inside

 

[skarra333]

You don't get over 5 years in prison for stealing a mars bar. There's a reason for the firearms ban.

I fail to see any scenario or perspective (other than that of a criminal) where letting a convicted criminal own or handle a realistic imitation firearm (or anything that even remotely resembles a weapon of any type) would be a good thing.

You might if it's the legoland giant mars bar. The Lego cooperation are ruthless in their pursuit of "justice".

 

[two_zero]

Thats a pretty narrow view of things. Just because someone has committed a crime doesn't mean that they will again or that they are necessarily a bad person. There are lots of ex cons doing well for themselves and doing good by others. If they have done the time then they have paid for it and deserve the chance to move on. Unless they are a rapist or paedo then they should be tortured to death very slowly.

And good on them! Get a hobby, find a job, just not one that involves replica firearms!!

As for it being narrow minded: no, again, there's a reason why people convicted for certain crimes can not own firearms - just as people convicted for certain crimes can not work in close approximation to children. As for your last sentence, those are the only two crimes you deem unforgivable? Anyway, we are getting hugely sidetracked.