Legal issues in airsoft
Safety regulations in many areas require an orange or red tip on the end of the barrel in order to distinguish the airsoft gun from a working firearm.
Due to high import rates, the Brazilian market is loaded with cheap weapons of entry-level brands like CYMA, JG, King Arms, Cybergun, and Umarex.
This rule is unofficially enforced by the Airsoft Sofia organisation and is punishable by a temporary or permanent ban from official games, as it creates unwanted friction between players and the authorities and public.
[28] However, the control standards are so strict and the punishments are so heavy-handed, that involvement in the sport (regarded as a wargame or "live action CS") is considered too impractical[by whom?]
Despite the restrictions against the sport, many people (even police officers) still take risks to acquire airsoft replicas (often bought from Hong Kong, then smuggled back into the Mainland via Shenzhen).
There have also been debates in the blogosphere against the official 1.8 J/cm2 definition,[33][34] since the pre-2008 Chinese criteria defined that a minimal MRKE of 16 J/cm2 was needed to breach human skin at close range and hence qualifiable as a real firearm – nine times higher than the current standards.
In comparison, the maximum MRKE allowed for replica guns is 7.077 J/cm2 in Hong Kong, 20 J/cm2 in Taiwan, and 3.2 J/cm2 in Japan, while most other countries like Germany and the US have a limit of up to 78.5 J/cm2 (though with restrictions on minimal engagement distances).
Some netizens even accused legislators and law enforcement of procrastination and corruption, arguing it is much more convenient for police officers to seek commendations and promotions by picking on soft targets such as toy gun owners rather than risking violence to confront threatening criminals.
This sentiment was often reinforced by reports of selective enforcement, where offenders of certain backgrounds (foreign nationals, ethnic minorities, political and social elites and associates) were given significantly lighter penalties than other citizens.
Customs regulations allow import without any limitations, local law enforcement is aware of public sales and organized events, and the military has acquired airsoft guns for urban and close-quarters combat training.
The muzzle energy and minimum engagement distances by gun type are: Minors are allowed in games if they have parent or guardian written permission and contact information.
In the beginning of 2013, the police and people from the airsoft communities exchanged words and were negotiating to legalize the sport provided the players make their guns (AEGs or GBBs) distinctive from real firearms through the use of orange tipped muzzle brakes.
Since the Indian Customs services and the government are not aware of the existence of the sport or the nature of the equipment used, imports may be seized due to their resemblance to firearms.
This has resulted in a thriving black market where entry level equipment is sold above premium prices[vague] with active support from corrupt authorities.
The one-joule limit most likely arose from UK case law[citation needed] where it was found that energies in excess of one joule were required to penetrate an eyeball (thus causing serious injury).
Due to the fact that this law is not related to criminal acts, thus not being very well enforced until the year 2010, it was possible to find private retailers who imported MPEG and AEG-level airsoft guns.
The Italian Ministry of Interior only recommends that their sale be restricted to people over the age of 18 or 14 if accompanied by a parent or legal tutor or if the replica is not particularly realistic or powerful (i.e. low-grade airsoft products).
For purposes of the General Law on Import and Export Tariffs, airsoft replicas as well as paintball guns and any other artifacts shooting projectiles of any kind through the use of compressed gasses (such as air, CO2, propane, green gas, or red gas) that are not the result of the conflagration of gunpowder or similar substances, are classified under Heading 93 (Weapons) of the Tariff, subheading 04 pertaining to (Other Weapons - actioned by spring or compressed gases), and would generally fall within the scope of subheading 9304.00.99 (Others), as provided by notes four, five and six of the Explanatory Notes to the Import Tariff, published by the Ministry of Economy on July 7, 2007, in the Official Gazette of the Federation.
Participation in a skirmish for non-members is allowed up to six times per year, but the NABV will need to receive certain details about the player, which is usually done when renting at an airsoft site.
[58] In the Letter of Instruction 1264, a Presidential Directive, signed by former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1982, bans the import, sale and public display of gun replicas.
Airsoft guns are considered controlled items, and it is prohibited to own or import them, unless granted a license usually reserved for security professionals or film props.
Additionally, airsoft guns may not be sold to individuals from Albania, Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey or Sri Lanka.
The unofficial yet active GUNMATIC Instagram account provides updates and connects airsoft enthusiasts throughout the Middle East and North Africa to the global MilSim events.
According to Section 36 of the VCRA (Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006) which came into effect on 1 October 2007, RIF's (Realistic Imitation Firearms) may not be sold, imported, or manufactured.
Following an amendment to the Policing and Crime Act 2017 which came into effect on 2 May 2017, airsoft guns (realistic or otherwise) are defined in UK law by the muzzle kinetic energy with which they are capable of firing a projectile, and are exempted from firearms legislation.
[91] Airsoft guns in the United States are generally sold with a 0.24 inch or longer orange tip on the barrel in order to distinguish them from real firearms, as is required by federal law.
Manufacturers and importers may cite Part 272 of Title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations on foreign commerce and trade (15 CFR 272), which stipulates that "no person shall manufacture, enter into commerce, ship, transport, or receive any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm" without approved markings;[92] these may include an orange tip, orange barrel plug, brightly colored exterior of the whole toy, or transparent construction.
[96] Airsoft guns in Vietnam are defined as "sporting weapons" or "support instruments" and requires a ownership license usually reserved for security professionals or film props.
Also according to Article 306 of the Criminal Code of Vietnam,[98] manufacture, possession, transport, use, trading or appropriation of airsoft guns are illegal and could resulted in fines or imprisonment: "1.
Alternative MilSim activities using gel ball shooters as replacements have also become increasingly popular in recent years, even when the authorities heightened its crackdown operations.
