Kampfgruppe SS have got four guys coming to visit the UK from Holland and Germany, to take part in the US Training Day on the 10th Feb'. We were wondering how they stand with regard to bringing RIFS or airsoft guns/weapons into the UK and taking them back out, whether UK law applies to them, if this isn't allowed, we might have to loan them a few of our own, any help out there appreciated. A very difficult question, probably not even considered by the bunch of monkeys who made this stupid law in the first place.
I think you're going to have to ask British Customs how they will deal with it as no matter what anyone else’s opinion is at the end of the day it's going to be the customs officials who will be making the decision.
I'd agree with Pete, best people to ask and get a definitve answer (get it in writing too) is those with the power, rather than hearsay. If you get it in writing it means either way, but if you get a yah and hit glitches it means you have a point of contact and an official answer already sorted 
PS. you having a social at this ere training day ? might pop down and say ello and scare your vistors off 
Another factor to consider is whether the airline they're using allows RIFs to be transported - some don't.
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My "hearsay" guess would be that they'd not be able to do it.
However if HM C&R say otherwise then you'll be fine. Its worth checking!
You may have to supply HM C&R details of the event that they are attending (etc)
Dutchies aren't allowed to have any Airsoft replicas, and unless they're traveling through Belgium (and pick up their guns there) they'll be in hot water attempting to transport them through customs.
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I think the best idea is to ask them to contact UK customs and get it in writting that they can bring airsoft RIFs into the country. If they can't we'll have to scrape some weapons together for them.
I'd suggest that *both* groups - organisers and participants get in contact with HMR&C. This issue was brought up with the Home Office by the ABA, and if my memory hasn't quite failed yet, i'm pretty sure that those visiting would need documentary evidence as to the purpose of bringing RIF's in (i.e. copies of booking forms for the event etc etc)
Of course, thats for official events - i.e. ones run by an organisation/site with PLI, so i wouldnt hazard a guess as to how it would be looked upon by "the powers that be" with regards to this particular situation.
When we were a Kingdom it was run by a King
When we were an Empire it was run by an Empress
Now we're a country we're run by a..........
being as its a training day and not part of an official event at the site I imagine it'd be a touchy subject with our customs(i cant imagine phoenix site owners would want to sign on the line and possibly be a test case, and I wouldnt want to either). Plus are their customs going to be happy about them taking them out through their border?
again alots dependant on how they come. if they come by plane they need agreement of customs on both ends, the airline, AND the pilot flying the plane(what british air rifle shooters have to do when going to the european competitions). On the ferry... not so sure of the procedures.
Sounds a lot easier to loan them a few guns once they arrive 
I can lend my Mp40 + 3 mags if needed, I can use my Thompson or K98
Steve.D
