Do you have a defence under the terms of the Violent Crime Reduction Act? - either the "Airsoft Defence", or, if a member of a Reenactment Society, under the exemption for that activity found within the Act.
If yes - and you can prove it - then you can, but don't expect it to clear through customs quickly. HMRC will want proof that you're entitled to bring it into the country. If not, then no, don't even try.
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..........
Slightly OT perhaps, but how would it work if he were emigrating to the UK from Hong Kong (or elsewhere) and he had been an airsoft skirmisher in his home country, could he legally bring his airsofts with him?
Only if he has a defence under the VCRA, meaning he'd have to be a member of a registered site or with one of the various schemes (AFRA, UKARA etc.).
Only if he has a defence under the VCRA, meaning he'd have to be a member of a registered site or with one of the various schemes (AFRA, UKARA etc.).
Which he couldn't do as only UK based sites require and can issue said memberships and immunities. Bit of a catch 22 situation. Only thing I could think of is to ship them boat freight and hope you can get your card before they arrive.
But then again the system is not designed to be fair and to ensure that only real airsofters get RIF's it's rather to make getting hold of one legally complex and time consuming so as to put people off buying them.
But in a country where you can buy a real weapon for 2/3 the price of a AEG what good is this doing?
Anyway back on topic, If you have the relevant immunities (membership card/re-enactors clearance) then it shouldn't be a problem clearing them through customs, but there's always the chance that the laws will be twisted by customs to seize goods. That's why the ban is so vague.
You've actually got more to worry about from royal mail just nicking it.
Slightly OT perhaps, but how would it work if he were emigrating to the UK from Hong Kong (or elsewhere) and he had been an airsoft skirmisher in his home country, could he legally bring his airsofts with him?
Wouldn't cut any ice. Imagine a yank trying to get his gun collection into the UK under the defence that he was a member of the NRA and president of the Alabammy Good Ol' Boys rifle club...
