BUYING A RIF (REALISTIC IMITATION FIREARM)

• You must be 18 years or older to purchase any airsoft gun (including Two-Tone).

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• To buy a realistic, black/grey/tan or any colour airsoft gun that has the same colour as its real counterpart, you must have a "valid defence" under the VCRA (Violent Crime Reduction Act). 

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• Purchasing a non Realistic Imitation Firearm (commonly known as Two-Tone) is possible without a valid defence, however, the gun must be painted at least 51% in a non-military colour, for example red, blue, green, pink, purple, yellow, orange or transparent). 

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CURRENT ACCEPTABLE VALID DEFENCES:

• UKARA Membership: Being registered on the United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association database. This requires playing at a UKARA-registered site at least 3 times over a 2 month period.

• Site Membership: Active membership in an insured airsoft site.

• Re-enactment: Membership in a properly insured historical re-enactment group.

• Film/Theatre: Using the item for film, television, or theatre production. 

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UK POWER LIMITS

The Policing and Crime Act 2017 sets legal power limits, measured in Joules and FPS: 

• Any Airsoft gun capable of full auto: Maximum joules allowed is 1.3 (approx. 374 FPS with 0.20g BBs).

• Any Airsoft gun capable of single/semi-auto only: A maximum of 2.5 joules is allowed (approx. 519 FPS with 0.20g BBs).

• Northern Ireland: All airsoft guns are restricted to a maximum of 1 Joule.

• Note: Exceeding these limits can result in the airsoft gun being reclassified as a prohibited firearm, leading to serious criminal penalties. 

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AIRSOFT GUNS IN A PUBLIC PLACE

• It is illegal to openly carry a RIF in public. It must be concealed in a proper gun bag or case while in transit, for example, from a car to a game site.

• Airsoft guns should only be used on private land with the owner’s permission or at designated insured airsoft skirmish sites.

• Never bring a RIF into a public area, as police will respond to "gun" calls with armed officers. 

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OTHER RESTRICTIONS!

• It is illegal to take a Two-Tone gun and paint it black to make it look realistic without a lawful valid excuse.

• Importing RIFs into the UK without a valid defence is prohibited and they may be confiscated by Border Force.