Hmm, interesting debate. I must admit I have often wondered about a few of the issues here.
Personally I don't think much of VCRA, it strikes of half baked legislation from people who are scared of, well, us. Not sure why but after getting rid of all the real guns (not such a bad thing) they move on to the plastic ones with a law that means its OK to buy a more dangerous air pistol (which looks fully real) but a plastic one that cant hurt you is painted mad colours. Then call it the Violent Crime Reduction Act :blink:
So I would like others like to see that anomaly sorted out, all weapons designed to look like 'Real Steel' firearms should be under the same rules regardless of being above or below a certain FPS or shape of projectile (Paintball for example). Real steel should be defined as weapons covered by Firearms laws with specific exemptions for Air Rifle's and Air Pistols that don't replicate more powerful 'Real' guns. Yes that's a fun one to legislate, but less of a mess than the current descriptions which would see a broom handle almost classed as a RIF.
This would mean that paintball M16's, Air pistol P99's, etc. are now RIF's and subject to rules on purchase. So you would add a valid reason to own them to the rules they are already under as air weapons, face to face, etc. You also now can extend UKARA to a wider group with new defences of paintball skirmisher, target / practical shooter, and the discussed airsoft parent...
I would also like to see IF's downgraded in law, it makes no sense to have the same penalty for IFs and RIFs when the purpose of an IF is to ensure everyone knows its not 'real'. It would also be good if people run about with RIF's in a dangerous way were prosecuted under firearms laws, which already allow for this (its the threat / fear, not the weapon or not that is the illegal act). We could then do away with RIF/IF in public laws or just make them a warning / misdemeanour's not major crime.
We could also do with sensible guidelines on transport so we can deal with the jobsworths and scare mongers out there. Personally I hate the idea of orange tips, but a barrel plug with flag like paintball uses may be a good idea. Although the current advice of a proper gun bag makes passing through public areas pretty safe.
It would also be nice to have RIF's at airsoft level legally defined as toys in such a way that airlines and postal services cant keep discriminating against us by saying they are firearms.
