Blank firing guns

[Fluxeor]

Re: Blank firing guns

VCRA Sections 36 through 41 cover IF/RIFs in general (airguns are also covered in a couple of prior sections but are not applicable to Blank Firing weapons) with 38 of the VCRA covers what constutues a Realistic Imitation Firearm with, as follows (from the 2006 VCRA, the 2007 features ammendmants in areas that I don't have time to look for this afternoon)..

38 Meaning of “realistic imitation firearm” .
(1) In sections 36 and 37 “realistic imitation firearm” means an imitation firearm which— .
(a) has an appearance that is so realistic as to make it indistinguishable, for all practical purposes, from a real firearm; and .
(b) is neither a de-activated firearm nor itself an antique. .
(2) For the purposes of this section, an imitation firearm is not (except by virtue of subsection (3)(b)) to be regarded as distinguishable from a real firearm for any practical purpose if it could be so distinguished only— .
(a) by an expert; .
(b) on a close examination; or .
(c) as a result of an attempt to load or to fire it. .
(3) In determining for the purposes of this section whether an imitation firearm is distinguishable from a real firearm— .
(a) the matters that must be taken into account include any differences between the size, shape and principal colour of the imitation firearm and the size, shape and colour in which the real firearm is manufactured; and .
(b) the imitation is to be regarded as distinguishable if its size, shape or principal colour is unrealistic for a real firearm. .
(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that, for the purposes of subsection (3)(b)— .
(a) the size of an imitation firearm is to be regarded as unrealistic for a real firearm only if the imitation firearm has dimensions that are less than the dimensions specified in the regulations; and .
(b) a colour is to be regarded as unrealistic for a real firearm only if it is a colour specified in the regulations.
(5) The power of the Secretary of State to make regulations under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament. .
(6) That power includes power— .
(a) to make different provision for different cases; .
(b) to make provision subject to such exemptions and exceptions as the Secretary of State thinks fit; and .
(c) to make such incidental, supplemental, consequential and transitional provision as he thinks fit. .
(7) In this section— .
“colour” is to be construed in accordance with subsection (9);
“de-activated firearm” means an imitation firearm that consists in something which—
(a) was a firearm; but
(b) has been so rendered incapable of discharging a shot, bullet or other missile as no longer to be a firearm;
“real firearm” means—
(a) a firearm of an actual make or model of modern firearm (whether existing or discontinued); or
(b) something falling within a description which could be used for identifying, by reference to their appearance, the firearms falling within a category of actual modern firearms which, even though they include firearms of different makes or models (whether existing or discontinued) or both, all have the same or a similar appearance.
(8) In subsection (7) “modern firearm” means any firearm other than one the appearance of which would tend to identify it as having a design and mechanism of a sort first dating from before the year 1870. .
(9) References in this section, in relation to an imitation firearm or a real firearm, to its colour include references to its being made of transparent material. .
(10) Section 8 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (c. 45) (under which firearms are deemed to be deactivated if they are appropriately marked) applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of the 1968 Act.

Which means, Unless that Blank Firing M9 is actually a real M9 that has been deactivated (in which case it wouldn't be able to fire blanks either) or is brightly coloured or transparent then it's classed as a Realistic Imitation Firearm (reguardless of its ability to expel a projectile, which the VCRA does not state is a requirement, see point 2 above) as it resembles closely a real weapon (quite how deacs are excluded due to thier appearance is somewhat confusing, though if I remember correctly, deacs have to be identified as deactivated in some way but this will require some further checking).
You require a defence against the VCRA to buy one (which as has been said Airsoft site membership/skirmisher status does not cover, as this is a specific exclusion applicable to airsoft weapons alone) and should not be sold to anyone who cannot prove thier purpose of purchase is a valid defence (applicable are, but not limited to museum display or re-enactment)... and of course that the buyer is 18 years or older.


http://www.uk-legislation.hmso.gov.u..._20060038_en_1

Have a read through the applicable sections before trying to sell.

[Fizzy]

Re: Blank firing guns

Well, going on what you've said, how is it people can purchase realistic looking paintball markers?

[BigRedJ]

Re: Blank firing guns

Well, going on what you've said, how is it people can purchase realistic looking paintball markers?

Because Paintball is a recognised sport

[Fizzy]

Re: Blank firing guns

Because Paintball is a recognised sport

And where in the VCRA does it say participants in recognised sports can buy RIFs?

[Havocide]

Re: Blank firing guns

Because Paintball is a recognised sport

An that makes it legal?

It is still a Replica Firearm under the VCRA.

Failed logic you have.

[Fluxeor]

Re: Blank firing guns

Lets not get into the whole paintball debate too as it will just cause much arm flailing and criess of "It's not faaaiiirrrr!"

[Fizzy]

Re: Blank firing guns

An that makes it legal?

It is still a Replica Firearm under the VCRA.

Failed logic you have.

Thing is, those paintball markers are legal to purchase for over 18s. It's not because of it being a recognised sport, I think they were simply overlooked

Lets not get into the whole paintball debate too as it will just cause much arm flailing and criess of "It's not faaaiiirrrr!"

Yes, but your point was if it looks like a gun it's a RIF and therefore restricted under the VCRA, which isn't always the case

[BigRedJ]

Re: Blank firing guns

Lets not get into the whole paintball debate too as it will just cause much arm flailing and criess of "It's not faaaiiirrrr!"

yup been there done that lol! it wasn't fair, but rules is rules, and atleast we now have UKARA and are recognised too

considering how bad the prospects for airsoft were, it turned out ok in the end!

[Havocide]

Re: Blank firing guns

and atleast we now have UKARA and are recognised too

Don't give them too much credit. Their is nothing official over any membership scheme.

Whilst recoginised in Airsoft yes, they wont allow sales of Blank fire guns.

[Fluxeor]

Re: Blank firing guns

So, a minute or 2 ago I was standing in the bathroom, gargling mouthwash when suddenly something hit me...

(quite how deacs are excluded due to thier appearance is somewhat confusing, though if I remember correctly, deacs have to be identified as deactivated in some way but this will require some further checking).

Yeah, brain-fart moment, tit's cos they arn't imitations.

[Caveira]

Re: Blank firing guns

I have a copy of the Association of Chief Police Officers/The Gun Trade Association leaflet on VCRA in front of me and it clearly states that blank firers are covered by the act and goes on to state that "Whether or not an imitation firearm or realistic imitation firearm can fire blanks is not relevant to deciding which of the two categories [RIF or IF] it is in".

Source:

ACPO/GTA Guidance

[pollux]

Re: Blank firing guns

I have a copy of the Association of Chief Police Officers/The Gun Trade Association leaflet on VCRA in front of me and it clearly states that blank firers are covered by the act and goes on to state that "Whether or not an imitation firearm or realistic imitation firearm can fire blanks is not relevant to deciding which of the two categories [RIF or IF] it is in".

Source:

ACPO/GTA Guidance

By that reckoning then there is no reason why someone with UKARA membership cannot buy a non two toned BFG?