So you have decided you want to get into airsoft: you're looking for your first bits of kit and of course, your first RIF. Unfortunately, purchasing a Realistic Imitation Firearm can be a bit tricky, due to certain rules and regulations that came into play as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2007. 

The VCR Act notably brought in restrictions on who could purchase, manufacture and distribute real and imitation weapons: knives, swords and most importantly, airsoft guns. 

Section 36 to 40 of the VCR Act outlines the restriction on manufacturing, importing and sale of RIFs. These sections also talk about the specifics of defence against prosecution, what is defined as an Imitation Firearm as well as the required age limit for purchasing.

Airsoft skirmishing was blessed to be given its own definition as a 'permitted activity'. Quoted directly from the Act: '...the defence applies only where third party liability insurance is held in respect of the activities. The second new defence is for the purpose of display at arms fairs, defined in the regulations by reference to “permitted events”.

1. The regulations also specify the persons who can claim the defence for historical re-enactment. This is restricted to those organising or taking part in re-enactment activities for which third party liability insurance is held.
2. For manufacturers, importers and vendors to claim one of the defences, they must be able to show that their conduct was for purpose of making realistic imitation firearms available for one of the reasons specified in the defences above. How they should satisfy themselves of this will vary from case to case and it might be advisable for them to keep a record of this for each transaction. In some cases they could ask to see, for example, a letter from the commissioning film or television company.'

'For airsoft skirmishing, the Association of British Airsoft is putting in place arrangements to allow retailers to check that individual purchaser are members of a genuine skirmishing club or site.

The key elements of these arrangements are:

• New players must play at least 3 (three) times in a period of not less than two months before being offered membership
• Membership cards with a photograph and recognised format will be issued for production to retailers
• A central database will be set up for retailers to cross-check a purchaser’s details
• A member’s entry on the database will be deleted if unused for 12 months.

1. The defence for airsoft skirmishing can apply to individual players because their purchase of realistic imitation firearms for this purpose is considered part of the “holding” of a skirmishing event.
2. Section 38 defines a ‘realistic imitation firearm’ as an imitation firearm which has an appearance that is so realistic as to make it indistinguishable, for all practical purposes, from a real firearm. ‘Imitation firearm’ is defined in section 57(4) of the Firearms 1968 as ‘any thing which has the appearance of being a firearm…whether or not it is capable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile’.'

We hope to have provided you with a clear breakdown of the laws surrounding RIFs, but if you would like to read further, the full Act is available online here.

If you meet the above criteria, then how do you prove it? Below are your options for providing a valid defence:

• UKARA – United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association
• BAC – British Airsoft Club
• SWAT Pass
• UKASA United Kingdom Airsoft Sites Accossiaction

We can guarantee that 99.9% of UK airsoft retailers (including ourselves) will accept UKARA, being by far the most commonly held defence and owning the largest database of registered defence holders. Due to its universal acceptance, we recommend that new players pursue a UKARA as a valid defence.

For more information on the VCRA particularly section 36 referring to airsoft you can check out the Gov.uk website Here