UK ban on the import of replica weapons/props

Eagle

The UK will ban the manufacture and importation of replica firearms (yes, even 'movie props') in October 2007. Were you aware?

The airsoft fraternity have lobbied and gained an exemption - i.e. they will be able to continue to collect replica firearms.

But what can pure collectors do?

From the "Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006" http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2006/60038--e.htm#36

36 Manufacture, import and sale of realistic imitation firearms

(1) A person is guilty of an offence if-

(a) he manufactures a realistic imitation firearm;
(b) he modifies an imitation firearm so that it becomes a realistic imitation firearm;
(c) he sells a realistic imitation firearm; or
(d) he brings a realistic imitation firearm into Great Britain or causes one to be brought into Great Britain.

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.

Your (constructive) thoughts please...

7289

1)Lobby to change the law.

2)Sell your collections before the law goes into effect, or

3)Prepare to destory them or go to jail.

4)Take lots of pictures of your neat stuff so you can remember it.

s96024

Just don't take them oustide.

Dan Same

7289 wrote:

3)Prepare to destory them or go to jail.

I doubt you would go to jail if you were found to be in possession of these guns.

sniperUK

if you already own them its not a problem you can keep them quite legally ,you can not import manufacture or sell them unless under the airsoft provisions.I have collected replicas for thirty years and as a former police officer (armed) I know the problems with them,about the same as with legally owned firearms ,not a lot.A lot of rubbish is talked about them being able to be converted to fire live ammunition the few that are ,mostly forward discharging blank firers, are illegal in the UK anyway,if you have one of these you are breaking the law,if you try to convert one you are breaking the law by manufacturing a firearm,if you carry a replica openly in public you are breaking the law ,if one is used in a crime it is under the law the same as using a real firearm. There are enough laws to cover the missuse of replicas these new ones just punish the law abiding and will do nothing to cut violent crime (for gods sake 11yr olds in parts of the UK can get MAC 11 sub machine guns and they have always been illegal.)

emtiem

sniperUK wrote:

A lot of rubbish is talked about them being able to be converted to fire live ammunition the few that are ,mostly forward discharging blank firers, are illegal in the UK anyway,if you have one of these you are breaking the law,if you try to convert one you are breaking the law by manufacturing a firearm,if you carry a replica openly in public you are breaking the law ,if one is used in a crime it is under the law the same as using a real firearm. There are enough laws to cover the missuse of replicas these new ones just punish the law abiding

That's a fair point, actually. It's already illegal to carry replicas in public, so this new law doesn't add too much.
I suppose it would stop it being likely that those who wanted to break the 'carrying in public' law would be able to because they'd be just that little bit harder to get your hands on. So I suppose it's just backing that law up with some active preventative action.

batester2005

So now i want to get my Walther P99 PROP which has to be shipped from america, what can i do?
This means that i cant even get one delivered to me to sit on my shelf with the rest of my bond collection. this country's a f**king sham. we should bomb ourselves.

emtiem

batester2005 wrote:

So now i want to get my Walther P99 PROP which has to be shipped from america, what can i do?
This means that i cant even get one delivered to me to sit on my shelf with the rest of my bond collection. this country's a f**king sham. we should bomb ourselves.

Because you can't get an ornament? No offence, but it's hardly the end of the world, is it?

7289

As mentioned above, the law may allow those who own these replicas to keep them, I hope that is the case.

Here in the States we had similar laws passed. Some rifles were designated "assault weapons" new sales and acquisitions were banned, current owners were required to register their rifles.

A few years later another law was passed and the registered owners had to either sell their rifles to the state or ship them out of the state. I hope that does not happen to you folks.

I have been really impressed with the high quality and good looks of these replicas. We have laws here that require red knobs on the end of the barrel, and all the markings that make the piece look authentic must be ground off. The prices too are pretty high a "Casino Royale" airsoft is almost the same price as a real P99.

Eagle

emtiem wrote:

batester2005 wrote:

This country's a f**king sham. we should bomb ourselves.

Quote of the year! {[]

Loeffelholz

Sadly, personal freedoms are sometimes undervalued...and thus lost.

MalcCoventry

I am slightly confused...than agin im english and dont understand our own laws....

I am currently on the hunt for a Walther P99 cap gun...a toy....made by a german company called WICKE

In the absence of an available UK suplier I am considering purchasing one through ebay...the supllier has fantastic prices but is based in gremany....Is there any reason that my purcase would be seized and destroyed?.....or am I breaking any laws if i do this before october?

Please Help?

Disco Volante

As I understand it, that should be okay if it happens before October '07.

MalcCoventry

Thanks Disco

I will have a go....If my next communictaion is from accomodation at her majesty's pleasure...i hope you will visit me...

Cheers