Talk:Legal issues in airsoft/Archive 1

Singapore
Illegal, person can face 6 months of imprisonment if he/she tries to bring an airsoft rifle/gun to the country. This is what i heard when i was trying to purchase an airsoft rifle in hong kong and told the shop keeper i was going to visit singapore too. Also the singapore airport told me the same thing when i asked them. The law is applied, and disassembling the airsoft will only make things worse.

Yup. This is true since 2001 because there was a incident in Singapore where two boys who are living in neighboring HDB aparments tried to shoot each other with airsoft pistols, which one of the two boys got "shot" on his eye which caused the ban. And this statement can be backed up if anyone can find a reliable source. Kyrios320 (talk) 10:59, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

Purchasing
Are there any restrictions on age in terms of purchasing Airsoft guns? --Mercury1 20:01, 8 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Depends on the country. In the US, some places won't sell them to anyone under 18, but there's no law that I know of. Some countries have laws regarding age of purchase. Most of those are listed in the main article. --UNHchabo 01:20, 9 June 2006 (UTC)

Canada
The entry states that one requires a license to import a airsoft gun into canada which shoots over "407fps" What weight pellet is being used to create that fps? I advise that the limit be listed in Joules rather then FPS, unless the pellet weight used is listed, thanks. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 88.109.100.31 (talk • contribs).


 * Well, what does the law say? Is the joule standard used, or is it merely by velocity? If the law is based on pure velocity, I could see someone getting in serious trouble... 0.25g pellets are used in-game by the player at less than the legal maximum, and an LEO tests it with 0.2g pellets, and arrests the player. Anyway, all I can say is that research needs to be done. --UNHchabo 00:21, 4 January 2007 (UTC)


 * I found a source, and updated the page. I could not find anything regarding a 407fps limit, so I took that part out. According to this page:, the law was changed in 2003 in order to enact a muzzle energy limit in addition to the muzzle velocity limit, so that answers your question. Looks like you must shoot at below 5.7 joules and below 500fps. --UNHchabo 00:46, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

The Netherlands
Airsoft weapons ARE legal if you have a permit, as the fall in Category I. http://www.justitie.nl/Images/Circulaire%20wapens%20en%20munitie%202005_tcm74-79714.pdf However, the airsoft 'sport' is apparently illegal.


 * Sorry, but no. Airsoft weapons are completely illegal, since they are by law placed explicitly into Category IV (illegal without any posibility of acquiring a permit). It's true that when you look at the law, airsoft weapons should be in Category I, however, exceptions can be made by the Justice Department. Which, in the case of Airsoft weapons, have been made, because of the realistic 1:1 replica nature of the guns, which - according to the Justice Department - can be used to intimidate someone. I don't agree with that opinion per se, but I can see the logic of it.


 * As for the sport being illegal, I'm afraid you are wrong on that part too, the sport has the same legal status as paintball, but since most Airsoft players want to use the 1:1 replica's, it's kind of hard to have a sport at all. Kluner.net 21:45, 5 September 2006 (UTC)


 * I have updated the main article to reflect what I mentioned above. Kluner.net 08:18, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

Airsoft in Michigan
You can easily get an airsoft gun anywhere. A local Wal-mart or Meijers will sell Spring pistols or rifles and I know of numerous shops (Army Surplus stores, Hobby Shops, etc) that stock full electric AEGS and Gas Pistols. I don't think the licensed dealers thing is correct.


 * I did some research (thanks to Google), and found some evidence that contradicts this statement: CobraAirGuns.com says:
 * Michigan residents, if you would like to purchase something other than a .177 caliber air rifle, we will ship it to you, however you will have to follow the steps below  ::# Inform our company of the item you want to purchase.
 * The item will be shipped to the designated dealer/retailer in your area. Your job is to find a participating dealer/retailer and let us know where to ship your gun.
 * Go to your local police department to obtain a Permit to Purchase the airgun. Each airgun purchase must have a separate Permit.
 * After the Permit is issued to you by the Police take it to the gun store where your gun will be shipped.
 * After the Permit is presented to the store and the fee is paid they will hand over the airgun to you.
 * Take the airgun back to the police department, where they will conduct a safety check and ballistics test.


 * After it is determined that the gun is safe and tests are conducted you will be ready to take the airgun home.


 * That's likely to be refering to air based, real weapons firing metal BBs, which is different from

a plastic spring pistol firing plastic BBs (cheap airsoft replicas). AnarchyElmo 05:29, 13 August 2007 (UTC)


 * this could be old law though, so I suggest someone, preferably with either law-school or law-enforcement credentials in Michigan take a look and render an opinion. Kluner.net 14:21, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

I have found the above to be true, however, it seems that Michigan law is referring to land based operations when it describes "licensed dealers"- If you reside in Michigan, you may not be able to purchase an airsoft gun online if it is greater than .177 caliber 20:06, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

Orange Tips
Regarding US law: someone recently removed the orange tips section, saying that the requirement is there for possession as well as import or sale. I've only heard the import/sale requirement, personally, with the exception of some state/local laws. Can anyone find any sources? --UNHchabo 08:23, 17 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Every source I've seen has said that once the gun comes into your possession, you can do whatever you want with it. The laws we have sourced specify only the import and sale requirement, and say nothing about personal ownership.  Until we can see a law that states that the orange tip must be present for private ownership (which I can't see would ever happen), I don't see why we should remove that section. ApokalypseCow 18:49, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

Airsoft in Malaysia
Illegal to own a replica in Malaysia Furthermore, according to the Immigration Department Website, it once shown that WITH a valid permit, a person is eligible to import imitatio firearms into the country. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 218.111.45.179 (talk) 14:48, 13 November 2008 (UTC)
 * Can anyone post an article about this in the article? and can we get a source for this statement? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 118.100.21.83 (talk) 10:49, 8 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Under the Akta Senjata Api 1971 (Firearms Act), a firearm is defined as: any lethal weapon which discharges a bullet or shrapnel by an explosion caused by an explosive charge, and this includes any bomb or grenade which has an explosive charge.(Directly translated from the PDF file from www.agc.gov.my/agc/oth/Akta/Vol.%201/Akta%2037.pdf ) So does this include airsoft?

US Gun Branding/Licensing
I seem to recall that there was a bill put before the House or Senate recently that would have removed the requirement that imported toys not remove the branding elements from the guns if the foreign manufacturer didn't have an agreement with the real-steel firearms manufacturer. Did this go anywhere? Anyone have information on it? ApokalypseCow 18:52, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

airsoft in michigan
Ive heard from some places that it is legal to have a airsoft gun in michigan and ive seen that its elegal Im geting confused witch one is true please help thanks--76.236.183.131 (talk) 00:09, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

New York City Loophole?
New York City requires that all realistic toy or imitation firearm be made of clear or brightly colored plastics; furthermore, New York City makes possession of any air pistol or air rifle or similar instrument in which the propelling force is a spring or air, unlawful without a license.

Does this mean that an AEG made of clear or brightly colored plastic is allowed? 71.246.97.46 (talk) 21:26, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

No, it still applies. AEGs have pistons - they're practically an electric spring gun, and still very much propelled by air, and as such is still prohibited. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.13.83.165 (talk) 04:00, 6 September 2009 (UTC)

Airsoft ban in Germany?
I heard rumours that on 1st April 2008, Germany passed a new law banning airsoft? Can anyone tell me if this is true?

(TheGreenwalker (talk) 01:13, 19 December 2008 (UTC))

Airsoft in Minnesota - St. Paul / Minneapolis
The following statements in the relevant passage are ambiguous, and appear contradictory:

"In Saint Paul and Minneapolis, airsoft guns cannot be carried in public unless they either have an orange tip, are clear, or brightly colored. Airsoft guns also cannot be carried in public if they have a laser attached."

OK - So, airsoft guns may be carried in public if they have an orange tip, are clear or brightly colored so long as a laser is not attached.

"It is legal to possess Airsoft guns in these cities as long as they are transported in a closed and fastened gun case (in accordance with Minnesota firearm transportation laws) and unloaded."

BUT - It's illegal to transport an airsoft gun unless it it cased in accordance with local laws.

To carry a gun means to carry on the person - and carry may be concealed or open. Yet, a person who carries may be mobile and thus transporting. Drlegendre (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 02:06, 13 April 2009 (UTC).

05:10, 3 August 2009 (UTC)05:10, 3 August 2009 (UTC)05:10, 3 August 2009 (UTC)125.85.229.19 (talk) 05:10, 3 August 2009 (UTC) Somebody fix the PRC section. It sickens me.

Russia
Does Russia have any involvment?

(TheGreenwalker (talk) 22:47, 28 September 2009 (UTC))

If you know the Russian laws, or any porblems with them, then feel free to add them. RWJP (talk) 06:01, 29 September 2009 (UTC)

Philippines section
Removed since it's a narration to airsoft in the country. Ominae (talk) 15:09, 22 October 2009 (UTC)
 * I've undone the removal temporarily... It's not great by any means, but deleting the entire lot means we have nothing to work from. RWJP (talk) 19:07, 22 October 2009 (UTC)
 * Fine... Probably a summary or two would be fine. I still stand that the section seems like a narration. Ominae (talk) 21:06, 22 October 2009 (UTC)
 * I agree entirely, but at least with all the stuff there, one of us, or someone else can try to summarise it decently. RWJP (talk) 21:31, 22 October 2009 (UTC)
 * For one thing, the law doesn't need to be spelled out here (gad, at least what I'm reading since I haven't been home for a while). At least a summary with a reference is needed first. Ominae (talk) 01:26, 23 October 2009 (UTC)

Arkansas Ban on Airsoft?
I'm and active poster on Airsoft-barracks, and I came across this on there. I haven't really read the thread on here. I was wondering, should we add this under US laws?Halofanatic333 (talk) 15:00, 12 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Absolutely, considering there a legal document as a source i'd say it needs to be put in. RWJP (talk) 16:44, 12 January 2010 (UTC)
 * I put a short sentence in about it. It is definitely opened to editing or possible removal.  It's up to you guys.Halofanatic333 (talk) 12:24, 13 January 2010 (UTC)

Power ratings
At least two sections (France and Belgium) suggest that in certain situations, the only airsoft guns that may be owned are those with a power rating of 0.08 Joules. That equates to around about 26FPS if I can actually count right, which strikes me as utterly ridiculous.

I'm gonna have a look through the page history to see if I can find who made the edits, and whether they were vandalism or not, but someone checking the laws of the countries themselves would be great (my French is rather rusty at best!) RWJP (talk) 09:19, 14 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Ahem, not Belgium, Austria. Looking through the revision history of the page, Austria had the power rating at 0.8 Joules for a very long time (which makes sense, this is a similar limit to Japan, and the power at which stock Tokyo Marui guns fire). As far as I am able to work out, at some point in the articles history an editor has purposefully vandalised the page by changing the power ratings. If everyone is ok with it, i'm going to go through the artice and correct the power ratings. RWJP (talk) 09:35, 14 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Ahh, found it. This revision here: is where it first changed. The IP Contributor only made that one edit, and in over a year of the limit being present on the page that was the first time anyone touched it. RWJP (talk) 09:42, 14 January 2010 (UTC)

Austria
What is written about Austria is only partially correct. Whereas the acquisition by persons under 18 and the sale to persons under 18 is illegal, it is nowhere stated, that the handling and ownage of airsoftguns would be illegal under the age of 18. The only law that could be interpreted as such is the law for the protection of the youth that says, that objects, that could interfere with a good creation of character / positive education may only be given to and handled by children aged 18 or older. --AZtec (talk) 00:39, 31 March 2010 (UTC)

Be Bold
For everyone asking for regional laws, be bold! Do research and post for others rather than asking for others to find information for you. 72.199.100.223 (talk) 00:42, 9 June 2010 (UTC)

People's Republic of China
This section is horribly written, the first paragraph in particular, and I'm not exactly sure how to fix it. D34THROWxML (talk) 19:20, 30 August 2011 (UTC)

Different title?
I find the title Legal issues in airsoft to be confusing - I was expecting to see things like whether lawsuits for personal damages were likely to be successful, rather than country-by-country information. Something like Airsoft restrictions by country or Airsoft legality by country would be better, I think. 76.21.202.115 (talk) 18:56, 7 October 2010 (UTC) I agree, The title is very misleading. I vote for Airsoft restrictions by country Paul Firmin 04:46, 19 January 2011 (UTC)

California airsoft
Hello, I don't live in the USA but in the UK and saw on the internet recently that the State Government of California wanted to pass a bill called 'SB 798' which meant all the airsft guns had to be brightly coloured and clear like in my country, but the bill failed to pass. However, they may reconsider it in 2012. Should this be mentioned in the USA section?

Thank you.

(86.183.75.176 (talk) 19:58, 14 October 2011 (UTC))

Australia
I noticed a small section of text in this section that states that Airsoft is banned in Australia (which it pretty much is) because "...Australia started out as a penal colony and 200 years later the Australian government are still treating it's citizens as if they are all would-be criminals. The penal colony mentality cannot be shaken and remains deeply imbedded in Australian culture. Restricting Airsoft is a manifestation and dramatization of the government's deeply entrenched penal colony derived Police State mentality." Not only is this a pretty dumb thing to say, it's definitely biased and not at all verifiable. Hope nobody minds if I delete it. Dunnybrusher (talk) 10:10, 11 March 2012 (UTC)

Australia
But wait, there's more! Oz laws are incredibly vague and hard to cite. Thus, I emailed each state's firearms branch individually, and quoted their responses as best I could. Original emails are on file if anyone wants them; email me mahashma@hotmail.com and I'd be happy to forward them. MichaelHenson (talk) 08:51, 8 February 2013 (UTC)

Had to update a lot of this section; some of it was relatively dubious/unsubstantiable/outdated - unfortunately with our laws being the mess they are, it'll take some time to fully reference state law; I dealt with SA first because it's where I am, and those laws are the ones I am most familiar with. I'll endeavour to flesh out the other state/territory legislation over the next couple weeks; takes some time to sift through various legislation. Also, the differential in SA between Airsoft replica and Airsoft firearm doesn't exist in print online - I /think/ I still have the email I got from the Firearms branch about it, though. Altho as pointed out, it's largely irrelevant with the distinction being negligible in terms of licensing and registration. MichaelHenson (talk) 09:05, 6 February 2013 (UTC)

Clarification UK section
In t he UK section it says:

"Airsoft is not prohibited to persons under the age of 18, nor is owning a RIF, although the only way they are able to obtain a RIF or IF is by being given the item as a gift or by having parental consent. Owning any airsoft weapon be it RIF or IF is prohibited to said persons if they are under the age of 18, be it by parental consent or by a gift however if someone under the age of 18 attempts to purchase an airsoft weapon, it is considered a felony and may result in a fine."

This is unclear, or even contradictory - is it prohibited for persons under 18 or not? Stainless316 (talk) 22:53, 12 August 2012 (UTC)

China
Who told you airsoft is illegal in China? Just because China has a vague law, do you have any solid proof that it is illegal? Citation needed! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.169.151.126 (talk) 03:55, 26 June 2013 (UTC)

Issues
I am going through this article and copyediting it but it needs more references and dus to the extreme lacking of them, that is not a task that I am going to undertake. Thanks Tortle (talk) 05:50, 5 September 2015 (UTC)

Denmark- I was informed the Denmark laws are wrong by a friend that lives there. " "On 1 January 2013, new Dutch laws regarding airsoft came into effect. Airsoft devices are air, gas, or spring powered weapons with a maximum shooting energy of 3.5 Joule and look almost completely like real firearms. Those who wish to possess an airsoft replica or participate in a skirmish will have to be registered with a certified airsoft organization. As of May 2016, only the NABV, the Dutch Airsoft Sport Association, was registered. Participation in a skirmish for non members is allowed up to 6 times per Year, but the Dutch Airsoft Sports Association will need to receive certain details about the player, this is usually done when you Rent at an airsoft Site. Skirmish limits are 500 fps for Bolt action snipers or 2 second delay DMR, 450 fps for DMR without delay or 360 for any other Airsoftgun"

Apolgies, new to adding things here. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:343:8001:12FE:E402:B0D6:FAD0:7005 (talk) 21:08, 5 November 2016 (UTC)

China
Limitations of gun is not issued by Public Security Bureau (PSB), but by the Ministry of Public Security. PSB is simply a police bureau and it does not issue legal standards. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 42.3.174.179 (talk) 12:56, 23 January 2017 (UTC)

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