DEFINITION
An airsoft gun is a realistic firearm which is discharged by a spring/piston or compressed gas. Fires spherical 6 mm plastic ball bearings (airsoft BBs) only (cf ball bearing guns), with a maximum projectile weight of 0.43 g. Has a muzzle velocity below 300 ft/s with a power of less than 1 joule.
A Ball Bearing (bb) gun is a type of airgun designed to fire spherical projectiles (BBs), usually from a .177 (4.45 mm) smoothbore barrel. Modern BBs are steel, plated with zinc or copper (cf airsoft BBs). Some manufacturers make lead BBs, which are generally intended for use in rifled barrels. Fires at velocities capable of causing harm to people or animals. Many have been designed to look like real guns.
Despite airsoft weapons being realistic-looking military-style guns they have nevertheless been exempted from the Violent Crime Reduction Act, (see 'Gun law' page) which made it illegal to sell, manufacture or import most other realistic imitation firearms (RiF's). However, realistic-looking BB guns have not been exempted.
WHAT DO AIRSOFT GUNS LOOK LIKE?
Airsoft guns look exactly like the real military-style weapons they are manufactured to replicate.
WHAT ARE AIRSOFT GUNS USED FOR?
Airsoft guns are used in a hobby / recreational pastime known as 'skirmishing' in which players (80% of whom are men) participate in the simulation of military, or law enforcement-style combat using realistic imitation firearms while dressed up in military style clothes.
PLANNING PERMISSION - AIRSOFT SKIRMISHING SITES
Since the Defence there has been an increase in the number of airsoft skirmish sites operating in Great Britain, and a worrying growth in the numbers of realistic imitation firearms in circulation and available for criminal use.
Communities concerned about public safety, criminal activities, anti social behaviour linked to ownership of airsoft/bb guns, and the costs to the public of policing such incidents, have successfully opposed planning applications for airsoft skirmishing sites.
For information on this issue contact Infer Trust via the 'Contact Us' page. To read about incidents involving users of airsoft guns hover on 'Current Issues' and from the dropdown menu select 'Airsoft Skirmishing'
BUYING AND SELLING AIRSOFT WEAPON
The Defence provided in the Violent Crime Reduction Act is for individuals who can provide evidence that they are registered members of an insured airsoft skirmish group.
The Association of British Airsports is the body dealing with self regulation of the airsoft gaming industry.
