How can I purchase an RIF gun?

[ArchMageLuke]

I do not really understand all of the circumstances on these extremely detailed sites, so I'm asking the forums - Where and how can I get a license or something that will allow me to be in possession of a RIF weapon and be allowed to discharge the weapon - (Aslong as it is in my property / property that I'm allowed to fire on).

Could someone please explain in detail where I could get a license or something, please?

 

Thanks,
Luke

p.s I'm 18+

[sp00n]

Read this >>> http://www.airsoft-forums.co.uk/index.php/topic/1254-popular-ukara-questions/#entry19341

[ScoobySnacks]

And then ignore at least some of it.

 

UKARA is only ONE way of proving your defense.

 

Firstly, you do not need any kind of licence to own or use a RIF. In fact, there is no such thing as a licence (UKARA is NOT a licence!)

 

It is perfectly legal to possess a RIF (given that you are not a prohibited person under the meaning of the Firearms Act)

 

It is perfectly legal to buy a RIF.

 

It is illegal to sell a RIF.

 

In order for it to be legal for someone to sell you a RIF, you need to provide them with proof that you can offer them a defence against prosecution under the Violent Crime Reduction Act.

 

There are various defences. Generally the one that would be relevant to an airsofter is what is known as the "Skirmishers defence". Which is that you use the RIF for some kind of re-enactment or activity, at a site that holds public liability insurance.

 

This is where UKARA comes in. UKARA is a retailers association (United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association) who maintain a database of people who have registered with a site which subscribes to the UKARA scheme. In order to hold UKARA registration there is a prescribed minimum number of games to be played, and a prescribed minimum time in which to play them. At the moment this is a minimum of three games in a minimum of two months (maximum of 12 months).

 

UKARA is a useful scheme, as long as you can get to a site that is registered with them. Most retailers will accept a UKARA membership as providing them with a defence against prosecution.

 

Of course, there are other ways of proving a defence. If you play at a site that chooses not to subscribe to UKARA then you can ask the site manager/owner to provide contact details, and to record your visits. You can then ask the retailer to contact the site and verify that you are a legitimate airsoft player.

 

Remember, always, that the retailer is the one that is taking a risk, of big fines and possible imprisonment, if they sell a RIF to someone who doesn't offer them a defence. The buyer bears no risk. So you can't blame the retailers for being wary, though most I've come across will take the time to contact your site.. If they want to make the sale then it's in their interest to do so, but if they choose not to then that is their prerogative.

 

So in order to purchase a RIF, you need to prove to the retailer that you offer them a legitimate defence against prosecution.

 

There is also the option of someone who does have a defence gifting you the RIF, but you must not hand over any money, or any other kind of payment (including labour/"gifts" if there is any way to link them to the RIF/etc.) for the RIF, as then they are guilty of selling a RIF. Of course if you have a defence, but a retailer will only accept UKARA, then you could get a friend who has UKARA to buy it, and then sell on to you, as long as they are happy that you offer them a defence.

 

I recommend that you spend some time reading the Violent Crime Reduction Act to get more information. Bung it in to Google and you should be able to see the full text.