VCR Bill

The defense is being a skirmisher not collecter.
If I were a collector and wanted to carry on buying RIFs then I might book myself in for three consecutive games and hope that I qualify.
Doesn't work - not less than two months is the key. It's supposed to 'prove' that you are a bone fide skirmisher not a ruse to get on the database.

you could have just said yes I was right s'ok then

My esteemed colleague is spot on. It's supposed to show a level of dedication to the hobby.

In fact, the whole bloody system (sites with PLI) and a minimum number of games in a minimum amount of time was borrowed and modified from the world of re-enactment, where all *proper* re-enactment groups have PLI, and a probationary period.

you could have just said yes I was right s'ok then

LOL, got lost in your punctuation and thought it best to clarify!

I wasn't making the comment for general purposes, merely querying if 'I' had it correct a simple yes would have therefore surficed ....

Wasn't sure which of yes or no would have been the correct answer

Stop hijacking this post ffs its one of the rare times I ask a question thats actually on the topic in hand and look what you've done to it I dunno

Tend to agree with the sentiment Rob.
There is so much confusion and yet the reality, as you state, is so simple!

I don't think that's a conspiracy - just a by-product of hasty organisation of a workable scheme. Multiple site stamping is do-able I'm sure, give 'em a chance. BTW, if you are desperate to buy an RIF then 'grandfathering' seems to be an acceptable policy - i.e. if records exist then recent history counts.

I'm in a similar boat, i dont like to get too attached to any one site so i complelty see your point.

Having said all that, the UKARA scheme and the efforts of all parties concerned won airsofters the concession to continue to buy RIFs, all be it under restrictions. So the UKARA scheme could equally be seen as the saviour of airsofters enabling many if not most to carry on as before.

some other sites are offering their own scheme so keep your eyes open. Airsoft warehouse(my local shop) have their own scheme under their team and ex site(black ops). Which is offering registration. Now I've known them for some time so was able to register without any stamps etc as they know I skirmish regularly but not sure if joe bloggs off the street may have to present more comprehensive evidence to them to register.

Having said all that, the UKARA scheme and the efforts of all parties concerned won airsofters the concession to continue to buy RIFs, all be it under restrictions. So the UKARA scheme could equally be seen as the saviour of airsofters enabling many if not most to carry on as before.

Sorry David, thats folklore. The reprieve for Airsoft sales/import/manufacture was down to the ABA and UKASGB. The Home Office had no interest in talking to UKARA, and at the face-to-face meetings with the HO, no UKARA representatives were present.

I know Jay, I was trying to be brief! What we have running is the UKARA scheme though as Rhys points out, others (I know of one other site too) are working their way through a sticky patch with equally valid and sensible solutions.

Interesting. Just recieved a general mailer from Zero One stating various things about the VCR bill. A couple of points caught my eye :

"Sales of guns with a power over 1 joule, or 328fps, are now classified as air guns. Mail Order sales of air guns are now banned - which means you need to visit us and collect your gun in person." + "Any dealer, such as ourselves, wishing to continue selling air guns, needs to be a registered firearms dealer - we are."

Re: Obtaining Site membership
"The only 'regulation' here is that your site must hold insurance - not all do, so it is best to check as it is pointless becoming a member of a site that doesn't. The "probationary period" put on membership in the regulations is an attendance record of 3 site visits in a period of 2 months, after you have attended in that time frame, the site can call you a member."

Looks like they might have gotten the wrong end of the stick as well as we're back to the "3 skirmishes in 2 months" lark.

Yup... the UKARA says on the player application form notes:

It is expected that in order to differentiate the casually interested from the committed Airsoft player, that sites will maintain a minimum standard with regards to new players. UKARA will require that any site applying to register under the scheme should ensure that a new entrant into Airsoft should play a minimum of three times in a period of not less than two months before being offered membership of a site. This is important, as the main objective of the VCRA is to reduce the supply of imitation firearms within the UK, and the defence granted is aimed at assisting only legitimate airsoft players.

To further complicate your dilemma

And Kermit - why the *proper* ? are we not re-enactment groups?

Anyway - my members are continuing to purchase RIFs with no problems at all. I furnish, by email, a copy of the person's photoID and details of our Insurance Policy.

If you look at some airsoft mail order sites you will see an addition beginning to appear...... about the other defences.....

There was also talk of registering my Associations as a "site" but that is still in discussion - Meanwhile "Bona fide" re-enactors are purchasing aegs and replicas with a valid defence in place.

Probably didnt explain myself too well there PD. "proper" in that responsible groups are defined as having PLI to cover them, which means HMG have a clear cut way of defining whats kosher (wrong choice of word - probably) from those just dressing up as MOPs.

It's interesting that you mention "other defences". I've been in contact with Jay at Modelguns, and Airsoft has now been added to the list on his website

In theory are WW2 airsofters more akin to the reenactment community than to the airsoft community, ie: we play at differnet sites as opposed to one specific site.
If so then would it be feasible for WW2 groups to form and acquire PLI to get the specific defence.
I`m not thinking of CIA as a whole but maybe small groups within the CIA/WW2 airsoft community, or is the cost of PLI too much for this to be reasonably covered through a membership fee.
Also would the cost of PLI come down as we don`t do public shows etc.?, although we do fire projectiles at each other....

I like the sound of that. I know CIA are as a general rule against doing this as an organisation but maybe there is scope for localised groups.

I know I have a PLI as part of my business and its not that much more per month (sadly its only for filming on sites, not airsoft) but I suspect it may be difficult to define for the insurrers. Mind you Im guessing re-enactor PLI must cover things like black powder stuff and airsoft is far safer..

maybe