New laws for snipers?

[Fizzy]

Re: New laws for snipers?

Yeah you can, but I imagine they would still want UKARA for 500FPS sniper rifles bought by 19 year olds.

If it's classed as a firearm, then the VCRA doesn't apply

[caffin999]

Re: New laws for snipers?

So if a higher FPS rifle is going to be reclassified as an air rifle, you won't need a UKARA license to buy it, right?

You can buy an air rifle provided you are over 18 can't you?

that's how some retailers have been selling sniper rifles for a few years now

[B.E.N.]

Re: New laws for snipers?

that's how some retailers have been selling sniper rifles for a few years now

What, illegally?

[Boo-Sabum Ben]

Re: New laws for snipers?

If it's classed as a firearm, then the VCRA doesn't apply

True, but they might make a special grey area for snipers, where a RIF sniper at 351FPS requires UKARA still

[Fizzy]

Re: New laws for snipers?

Where are you getting 351fps from, and UKARA is and never was a requirement to avail yourself of the specific defence in the VCRA

[caffin999]

Re: New laws for snipers?

What, illegally?

I know some have been relying on the fact they would be classed as air rifles so have sold them in person to over 18s without any defence. And looking at the police interpretation of them it would appear they were right

[Boo-Sabum Ben]

Re: New laws for snipers?

Where are you getting 351fps from, and UKARA is and never was a requirement to avail yourself of the specific defence in the VCRA

Sorry Im doing a million and 1 things at once so im not quite with

if you have to be over 18 to buy an air rifle, and over 18 to operate a sniper (in this area) then surely nothing changes?

[critic]

Re: New laws for snipers?

this sport is slowly slowly getting completely destroyed by our bullshit government (Y)

i remember when i was 15 with not a care in the world.. all i had to do was have a parent consent form..

now look at it

[Tin]

Re: New laws for snipers?

Could this be the thin end of the wedge?

If this police force interpret Rifles above 1ftlb to be air rifles (which I would disagree with) and state that under 18's should not use them in a game as they need to be supervised, isn't the next step to question the legallity of anyone firing an 'airgun' at another person?


I know that there is the analagy of boxers being allowed to beat each other but that is a recognised sport and has specific insurances etc. I have yet to see an insurance document that states a permitted Fps or energy for airsoft guns.

[Boo-Sabum Ben]

Re: New laws for snipers?

I have yet to see an insurance documdnt that states a permitted Fps or energy for airsoft guns.

Probably the liability insurance that site owners buy into perhaps...

[Tin]

Re: New laws for snipers?

I am a site owner

[Roxy]

Re: New laws for snipers?

Just spotted this:

"UK legislation, the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, prohibits the online or mail-order sales of new air guns. Deals must be finalised "face-to-face", either at the retail store of purchase, or through a Registered Firearms Dealer (to which an item may be posted and the transfer completed). The sale and transfer of second-hand airguns is not affected by these restrictions.

As of 10th February 2011, The Crime & Security Act 2010 (S.46) makes it an offence "...for a person in possession of an air weapon to fail to take reasonable precautions to prevent any person under the age of eighteen from having the weapon with him..."[13]. This legislation essentially relates to the storage of airguns and the requirement of owners to prevent unauthorised access by children. Failure to do so renders owners liable for a fine of up to £1,000"

Guess this could shed some light on the sudden change in local sites policies. This does raise more questions and speculations though. Would this chnage in law actually affect airsoft snipers?

[Boo-Sabum Ben]

Re: New laws for snipers?

I am a site owner

and you dont have suitable insurance?

[Tin]

Re: New laws for snipers?

Of course we have insurance, but IIRC muzzle energy/fps is not mentioned. Hence we have a 328fps site limit for all guns.(sorry to go off topic).

[Sabbath]

Re: New laws for snipers?

Just spotted this:

"UK legislation, the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, prohibits the online or mail-order sales of new air guns. Deals must be finalised "face-to-face", either at the retail store of purchase, or through a Registered Firearms Dealer (to which an item may be posted and the transfer completed). The sale and transfer of second-hand airguns is not affected by these restrictions.

As of 10th February 2011, The Crime & Security Act 2010 (S.46) makes it an offence "...for a person in possession of an air weapon to fail to take reasonable precautions to prevent any person under the age of eighteen from having the weapon with him..."[13]. This legislation essentially relates to the storage of airguns and the requirement of owners to prevent unauthorised access by children. Failure to do so renders owners liable for a fine of up to £1,000"

Guess this could shed some light on the sudden change in local sites policies. This does raise more questions and speculations though. Would this chnage in law actually affect airsoft snipers?

Ouch.