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A brief thread on airsoft guns and who is really at fault here - as there is a lot of misinformation about.
TLDR as an undergrad I was briefly on the Home Office Violent Crimes Reduction Act (VCRA) Committee as chair of the National Student Airsoft Association. /1 https://twitter.com/HackneyAbbott/status/1287640123388108805
TLDR as an undergrad I was briefly on the Home Office Violent Crimes Reduction Act (VCRA) Committee as chair of the National Student Airsoft Association. /1 https://twitter.com/HackneyAbbott/status/1287640123388108805
The first point which is very, very clear is that a Realistic Imitation Firearm can only by purchased by someone with a relevant defence who is over 18, whilst an Imitation Firearm can be bought by anyone over 18.
The two items are very different in appearance. /2
The two items are very different in appearance. /2
An imitation firearm must be of an unrealistic size or painted in a bright colour.
The above appears to be a WE Glock, the problem is... the bright blue makes up much less than 50% of this IF - frankly making it a RIF. The principle colour here, frankly, is black. /3
The above appears to be a WE Glock, the problem is... the bright blue makes up much less than 50% of this IF - frankly making it a RIF. The principle colour here, frankly, is black. /3
Thus this isn't really a two-tone IF at all but a RIF that has been illegally sold to start with (assuming the buyer did not have a defence), meaning the seller (NOT the buyer) has committed a criminal offence. This avenue of enquiry should be pursued by police. /4
Sales of IFs/RIFs at markets/car boots and such is a real problem, and one which often irks. I've had many, many rows with traders illegally selling RIFs over the years who give zilch fucks or clearly selling to those under 18. /5
The main airsoft/reenactment market isn't a problem in this regard due to tight regulation and various schemes/clarity of defence. Airsoft is responsible.
Many others are not. /6
Many others are not. /6
When I ran my uni airsoft society & the NSAA we used to drum home the need to keep your RIFs secured, out of sight as if you were cleaning it on your desk etc and a complaint was made, you would be committing a serious offence.
The law's severity was pushed hard. /7
The law's severity was pushed hard. /7
In this case, Kai was really unlucky that someone saw it and lodged a complaint.
Unfortunately, once a firearms complaint is made then there must be an appropriate response.
Broadly speaking, you can't mess around with toy guns as was in the past. /8
Unfortunately, once a firearms complaint is made then there must be an appropriate response.
Broadly speaking, you can't mess around with toy guns as was in the past. /8
As harsh as it appears the Police acted correctly to a very, very serious complaint. It appears Kai was deeply unlucky to have such a horrid experience.
If the RIF was purchased without a defence (& under 18), the seller needs to be investigated for violating the VCRA. /thread
If the RIF was purchased without a defence (& under 18), the seller needs to be investigated for violating the VCRA. /thread
