Prior Ownership to the V.C.R.A.

[droog67]

what are the terms of this statute, with regard to ownership of a R.I.F. being prior to the V.C.R.A. being passed by Parliament ?
what would the defence be for transportation, if not to a skirmishing site ??

[madwelshman]

Re: Prior Ownership to the V.C.R.A.

a big old huge grey area....

In a nutshell, your fine to do so, as long as you do it responsibly, if not, your gonna have an uphill struggle getting them back

[wildething]

Re: Prior Ownership to the V.C.R.A.

Question is why are you transporting then? even with a defence you could get in trouble if you don't have a valid reason to transport them.

[jagillham]

Re: Prior Ownership to the V.C.R.A.

The VCRA only concerns the sale of replica weapons. It is totally legal for anybody to own one.

In terms of ownership, just make sure you comply to all "normal" laws, think of it like knives. Can't wave them around in public, or carry them without reason - but perfectly legal to own.

[Caveira]

Re: Prior Ownership to the V.C.R.A.

All about having a valid reason, as said above.

Taking it to someone to be serviced? OK.

Taking it when moving home? OK.

Taking it to work to show your mates? Illegal under the Firearms Act 1968 and VCRA!

[droog67]

Re: Prior Ownership to the V.C.R.A.

I guess taking it to private land or Air Rifle Section of a Local Gun Club would be acceptable then ?
Then there's going to walk-on, at a skirmish site.
Don't worry, i think the fact that people are on these type of Forum expressing their individual opinions, and asking valid questions, indicates, to myself at least, that we aren't interested in Airsoft for any criminal intended purpose.
But, the eyes of "The Law" are strange things, sometimes, and as nowadays too much emphasis/pressure is placed upon the bobby on the beat, to get results, and soon for the Courts to be self-sufficient in funding (from fines, costs and fees), an easy nick is an easy nick.
Let's face it, criminals only care about what's on the Statute-books when the Judge hands down the sentence, when they're crying themselves to sleep in their cell. The Law Abiding citizen is the one who will always try to stay on the right side of the law.
Thank-you for your answers fellas, much appreciated.

[Liam Moran]

Re: Prior Ownership to the V.C.R.A.

Taking it to work to show your mates? Illegal under the Firearms Act 1968 and VCRA!

taking it to lets say a mates house who is also an airsofter with a defence just for a look, play around zeroing scope ect

[Caveira]

Re: Prior Ownership to the V.C.R.A.

taking it to lets say a mates house who is also an airsofter with a defence just for a look, play around zeroing scope ect

Sounds more reasonable, particularly the scope zeroing.

Bottom line though, it's what the prosecution can persuade a jury ISN'T a reasonable excuse. They don't have to prove that you're in the wrong if you've got a RIF in a public place (and that includes the boot of your car), it's down to you to prove that you're not in the wrong.

[simonmoore1986]

Re: Prior Ownership to the V.C.R.A.

Sounds more reasonable, particularly the scope zeroing.

Bottom line though, it's what the prosecution can persuade a jury ISN'T a reasonable excuse. They don't have to prove that you're in the wrong if you've got a RIF in a public place (and that includes the boot of your car), it's down to you to prove that you're not in the wrong.

How about innocent until proven guilty?

[jagillham]

Re: Prior Ownership to the V.C.R.A.

How about innocent until proven guilty?

It's a myth.... :D


(p.s) Thanks for digging up this dead thread with that nugget of information

[Longshot]

Re: Prior Ownership to the V.C.R.A.

How about innocent until proven guilty?

Also, if you have been caught with a RIF in a public place then you have already been proven guilty - guilty of having a RIF in a public place. The defence doesn't change the offence, it simply provides a defence to why you did it which you have to explain.

Consider this: If someone from a police ARU shoots someone in the line of duty he still has to go up and explain why he did the deed (given it's usual illegality). Even though, as a policeman doing his job, he has a 'defence' for his actions he still has to go and explain this action, and how his defence applies in this particular case.

[simonmoore1986]

Re: Prior Ownership to the V.C.R.A.

I knew there was a reason i joined the army instead of getting a law degree....