Talk:Legal issues in airsoft

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Contents 1 Purchasing 2 Canada 3 The Netherlands 4 Airsoft in Michigan 5 Orange Tips

[edit] Purchasing

Are there any restrictions on age in terms of purchasing Airsoft guns? --Mercury1 20:01, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

Depends on the country. In the US, some places won't sell them to anyone under 18, but there's no law that I know of. Some countries have laws regarding age of purchase. Most of those are listed in the main article. --UNHchabo 01:20, 9 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Canada

The entry states that one requires a license to import a airsoft gun into canada which shoots over "407fps" What weight pellet is being used to create that fps? I advise that the limit be listed in Joules rather then FPS, unless the pellet weight used is listed, thanks. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 88.109.100.31 (talk • contribs) 09:15, January 2, 2007.

Well, what does the law say? Is the joule standard used, or is it merely by velocity? If the law is based on pure velocity, I could see someone getting in serious trouble... 0.25g pellets are used in-game by the player at less than the legal maximum, and an LEO tests it with 0.2g pellets, and arrests the player. Anyway, all I can say is that research needs to be done. --UNHchabo 00:21, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

I found a source, and updated the page. I could not find anything regarding a 407fps limit, so I took that part out. According to this page: [1], the law was changed in 2003 in order to enact a muzzle energy limit in addition to the muzzle velocity limit, so that answers your question. Looks like you must shoot at below 5.7 joules and below 500fps. --UNHchabo 00:46, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] The Netherlands

Airsoft weapons ARE legal if you have a permit, as the fall in Category I. http://www.justitie.nl/Images/Circulaire%20wapens%20en%20munitie%202005_tcm74-79714.pdf However, the airsoft 'sport' is apparently illegal.

Sorry, but no. Airsoft weapons are completely illegal, since they are by law placed explicitly into Category IV (illegal without any posibility of acquiring a permit). It's true that when you look at the law, airsoft weapons should be in Category I, however, exceptions can be made by the Justice Department. Which, in the case of Airsoft weapons, have been made, because of the realistic 1:1 replica nature of the guns, which - according to the Justice Department - can be used to intimidate someone. I don't agree with that opinion per se, but I can see the logic of it.

As for the sport being illegal, I'm afraid you are wrong on that part too, the sport has the same legal status as paintball, but since most Airsoft players want to use the 1:1 replica's, it's kind of hard to have a sport at all. Kluner.net 21:45, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

I have updated the main article to reflect what I mentioned above. Kluner.net 08:18, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Airsoft in Michigan

You can easily get an airsoft gun anywhere. A local Wal-mart or Meijers will sell Spring pistols or rifles and I know of numerous shops (Army Surplus stores, Hobby Shops, etc) that stock full electric AEGS and Gas Pistols. I don't think the licensed dealers thing is correct.

I did some research (thanks to Google), and found some evidence that contradicts this statement: CobraAirGuns.com says:

Michigan residents, if you would like to purchase something other than a .177 caliber air rifle, we will ship it to you, however you will have to follow the steps below

::# Inform our company of the item you want to purchase.

1. The item will be shipped to the designated dealer/retailer in your area. Your job is to find a participating dealer/retailer and let us know where to ship your gun.
2. Go to your local police department to obtain a Permit to Purchase the airgun. Each airgun purchase must have a separate Permit.
3. After the Permit is issued to you by the Police take it to the gun store where your gun will be shipped.
4. After the Permit is presented to the store and the fee is paid they will hand over the airgun to you.
5. Take the airgun back to the police department, where they will conduct a safety check and ballistics test.

After it is determined that the gun is safe and tests are conducted you will be ready to take the airgun home.

this could be old law though, so I suggest someone, preferably with either law-school or law-enforcement credentials in Michigan take a look and render an opinion. Kluner.net 14:21, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Orange Tips

Regarding US law: someone recently removed the orange tips section, saying that the requirement is there for possession as well as import or sale. I've only heard the import/sale requirement, personally, with the exception of some state/local laws. Can anyone find any sources? --UNHchabo 08:23, 17 September 2006 (UTC)