In UK is UKAPU member number a valid defence

[imran333]

In UK to buy a black Airsoft or one that fires blanks you need a valid defence, is UKAPU member number a valid defence to buy the black airsoft ?

[Tackle]

Is it an airsoft gun you want to buy or a blank firing pistol ?

One you can discuss here, the other has no relevance on the forum.

5 minutes ago, imran333 said:

In UK to buy a black Airsoft or one that fires blanks you need a valid defence, is UKAPU member number a valid defence to buy the black airsoft ?

 

[BigStew]

As said that's two sperate things and no UKAPU membership is not a defense it doesn't require any evidence you attend airsoft games, anyone can join.  

[Tommikka]

4 minutes ago, imran333 said:

In UK to buy a black Airsoft or one that fires blanks you need a valid defence, is UKAPU member number a valid defence to buy the black airsoft ?

What is accepted as a proof valid defence is dependant on the seller 

 

The legislation is the VCRA. (To be pedantic airsoft is actually not in the core legislation but by statutory instrument)

 

The seller is liable to ensure that they are content that the buyers purpose for a RIF is covered by one of the VCRA defences 

 

The relevant airsoft defence is for the playing of / participation in “airsoft skirmishing” at an insured site

The most commonly recognised scheme is the UKARA - this requires players to attend a participating site on multiple occasions, the multiple game requirement means that it also complies with suggested guidelines at the time, which are not explicit in the legislation / statutory instrument 

 

The UKAPU may be accepted by a retailer but the UKAPU website explicitly states that it is not a defence 

 

https://www.ukapu.org.uk/join/

 

 

…..

 

If you are after a blank firer then the Airsoft defence does not apply.

There is no need for a blank firer to be black/realistic when used for many purposes such as starting pistols 

The only need that I would see for a blank firing RIF would be for theatrical / film making use etc - which have their  own defence requirements - and also have many reasons to not use blank firers

 

 

[imran333]

I did want both but just wanted to know the laws but thanks for info

Edited Friday at 13:25 by imran333

[Enid_Puceflange]

Recent law changes have been introduced that cover blank firers.

I don’t know what they are, but I believe certain types are now illegal and there has been/ will be an amnesty 

Personally, I’d be researching before trying to buy - if you are struggling to find a supplying retailer, maybe my answer will suggest why 

[imran333]

8 minutes ago, Tommikka said:

What is accepted as a proof valid defence is dependant on the seller 

 

The legislation is the VCRA. (To be pedantic airsoft is actually not in the core legislation but by statutory instrument)

 

The seller is liable to ensure that they are content that the buyers purpose for a RIF is covered by one of the VCRA defences 

 

The relevant airsoft defence is for the playing of / participation in “airsoft skirmishing” at an insured site

The most commonly recognised scheme is the UKARA - this requires players to attend a participating site on multiple occasions, the multiple game requirement means that it also complies with suggested guidelines at the time, which are not explicit in the legislation / statutory instrument 

 

The UKAPU may be accepted by a retailer but the UKAPU website explicitly states that it is not a defence 

 

https://www.ukapu.org.uk/join/

 

 

…..

 

If you are after a blank firer then the Airsoft defence does not apply.

There is no need for a blank firer to be black/realistic when used for many purposes such as starting pistols 

The only need that I would see for a blank firing RIF would be for theatrical / film making use etc - which have their  own defence requirements - and also have many reasons to not use blank firers

 

 

The valid defence is to buy it or own it or both ?

Just now, Enid_Puceflange said:

Recent law changes have been introduced that cover blank firers.

I don’t know what they are, but I believe certain types are now illegal and there has been/ will be an amnesty 

Personally, I’d be researching before trying to buy - if you are struggling to find a supplying retailer, maybe my answer will suggest why 

Some black firing guns will be banned from April as they can be converted easily, I think it’s 4 types and Amnesty starts in a few days  

[Enid_Puceflange]

5 minutes ago, Enid_Puceflange said:

Recent law changes have been introduced that cover blank firers.

I don’t know what they are, but I believe certain types are now illegal and there has been/ will be an amnesty 

Personally, I’d be researching before trying to buy - if you are struggling to find a supplying retailer, maybe my answer will suggest why 

Couldn’t tell you bud

This is an Airsoft forum with no section for Blank firing replicas

 

 But a quick Google search, found this…..

 

https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/amnesty-to-be-held-for-blank-firing-guns-popular-with-organised-criminals#:~:text=TVBFs are legal to buy,the top of the weapon.

Edited Friday at 13:28 by Enid_Puceflange

[imran333]

21 minutes ago, Enid_Puceflange said:

Couldn’t tell you bud

This is an Airsoft forum with no section for Blank firing replicas

 

 But a quick Google search, found this…..

 

https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/amnesty-to-be-held-for-blank-firing-guns-popular-with-organised-criminals#:~:text=TVBFs are legal to buy,the top of the weapon.

Ok thanks, I knew they are legal to buy but wasn’t sure regarding a fully black colour one, seems like it’s ok to own one but to buy one you need a valid defence 

Edited Friday at 13:48 by imran333

[Galvatron]

6 hours ago, imran333 said:

Ok thanks, I knew they are legal to buy but wasn’t sure regarding a fully black colour one, seems like it’s ok to own one but to buy one you need a valid defence 

 

Strictly speaking, a valid defence such as UKARA isn't such to purchase but rather for the retailer to sell a RIF to you as you've demonstrated you meet the qualifying criteria as the seller can be held liable if the RIF is used in a crime. UKARA isn't required for ownership. Your UKARA membership can expire but your ownership of RIFs isn't threatened by no longer having a defence. It's only if you wish to purchase more after your membership has expired that you'd either need to renew it or get another suitable defence.

 

It's not just a black airsoft replica you need a defence for, it's any "realistic-looking" colour, Grey, gun metal, chrome, gold, silver, olive drab, full dark earth, tan, etc, will all need a defence if more than 51% of that replica's surface is one or any combination of such colours.

Edited Friday at 19:56 by Galvatron

[Rogerborg]

Bloke's clearly not an airsofter, I'm not minded to help him get his hands on a RIF.

[Tackle]

1 hour ago, Rogerborg said:

Bloke's clearly not an airsofter, I'm not minded to help him get his hands on a RIF.

Agree 1000%, hence my earlier question, if he starts knocking over Birmingham post offices are we guilty by association lol.

(Not lol really)😬

[Davet]

On 31/01/2025 at 13:23, Enid_Puceflange said:

Recent law changes have been introduced that cover blank firers.

I don’t know what they are, but I believe certain types are now illegal and there has been/ will be an amnesty 

Personally, I’d be researching before trying to buy - if you are struggling to find a supplying retailer, maybe my answer will suggest why 

Forward venting blank firers have been illegal for some time, top venting blank firers made by certain manufacturers (predominantly Turkish) are now illegal, both classed as s5 firearms. The amnesty runs from today till the end of the month.

Edited Monday at 15:09 by Davet

[Rogerborg]

1 hour ago, Davet said:

top venting blank firers made by certain manufacturers (predominantly Turkish) are now illegal, both classed as s5 firearms. The amnesty runs from today till the end of the month.

 

I'd argue that strictly speaking they were illegal from the instant of determination that they're readily convertible. It's baffling why there was a delay on even starting the "amnesty", which as a policy should have no influence on policing the law as written and interpreted by courts.  I'd get rid of them sooner rather than later - thanks for the reminder.

[Tommikka]

4 hours ago, Davet said:

Forward venting blank firers have been illegal for some time, top venting blank firers made by certain manufacturers (predominantly Turkish) are now illegal, both classed as s5 firearms. The amnesty runs from today till the end of the month.

What @Rogerborgsaid

 

Those specific top venting blank firers are illegal due to non compliance with UK legislation, not due to any change but they were not compliant with UK standards.  
They have been identified and an amnesty put into place.