Disposal of airsoft weapons?

You got that slightly wrong Fred - you can legally sell to exempted groups (reenactors and airsoft skirmishers). There is no such thing as 'pre-VCRA' or 'post-VCRA' replica guns.

However, it is you who is breaking the law if you sell to anyone outside of the exempt groups (including under 18's) so you must be 100% sure of the bonio fido of the purchaser and it is incumbent on you to take all reasonable steps.

Thanks for clarifying that. When I used the term pre VCR I was really referring to my own situation because I purchased my collection a couple of years ago. Im over in Northern Ireland where there dont seem to be many airsoft reenactment groups.

Fred

And equally, you can still legally own guns you had prior to the VCR bill, it's mainly a limitation on purchasing new ones.

what do you have, is the next logical question? Are you getting out of the game or was it a general question. Regarding Ebay they have some of the strictest restrictions on selling anything related to firearms, mainly due to the fact they support many of the anti gun lobbiests. The item stands a very good chance of being deleted. You can sell any airsoft weapon part, but not a complete gun or you can two tone them and then sell them to anyone over the age of 18. If you want to sell them on and CW has covered the legalities of that very well and simply, use one of the various forums available.

I, for one am curious about your collection, especially if they are WW2 related. P

You got that slightly wrong Fred - you can legally sell to exempted groups (reenactors and airsoft skirmishers). There is no such thing as 'pre-VCRA' or 'post-VCRA' replica guns.

However, it is you who is breaking the law if you sell to anyone outside of the exempt groups (including under 18's) so you must be 100% sure of the bonio fido of the purchaser and it is incumbent on you to take all reasonable steps.

Nearly correct, but not totally. Strictly speaking; under the new laws, it's still technically illegal to sell airsoft guns, but you'll have no repercussions selling to those who genuinely qualify for the specific defences set about (i.e: re-enactor, airsofter, film company, etc.). There are no groups exempt from these laws, only those that can qualify for one of the defences. Just think of it being like it's technically illegal for people to carry large knives about, but you won't get any repercussions from doing so if you have a specific defence for doing so, like being a butcher or 'knifethrower' entertainer, etc...

what do you have, is the next logical question? Are you getting out of the game or was it a general question. Regarding Ebay they have some of the strictest restrictions on selling anything related to firearms, mainly due to the fact they support many of the anti gun lobbiests. The item stands a very good chance of being deleted. You can sell any airsoft weapon part, but not a complete gun or you can two tone them and then sell them to anyone over the age of 18. If you want to sell them on and CW has covered the legalities of that very well and simply, use one of the various forums available.

I, for one am curious about your collection, especially if they are WW2 related. P

Oh I have a random mix of weapons but I dont want to sell any of my ww2 items at the moment. I have a 98k springer conversion, an MP40, some AKs and other stuff. I was really wanting to sell a Marui steyr AUG but it occurred to me that I might be breaking the law.

Fred

Lets not get too tied up in legal semantics. As long as you take all possible and realistic precautions, you are safe from prosecutions.
in a nutshell.
1. no sale to under 18's
2. you can sell to those exempt under the act ( recognised re enactors, museums, film makers)
3. you can sell to those with a specific defence( airsofters at recognised site I.E membership of that site)
4. those allowed by the home secetary( the catch all get out clause)

Selling Realistic Imitation Firearms is illegal, but the above allow for defence to entered at court should the need arise.

Don't get too caught up in the hearsay frequently bandied about. Much of it is wrong.

Sales of part are legal and not affected by the act. I would refer you to the web as this act covers england and wales, Northern Ireland's is slightly different.

Remember all criminal acts are illegal but some do have factors which allow for a defence. This being one of them.

The one act that will drop you in it is the sale to under 18's. Avoid like the plague. The police may ignore sale to non registered but would not be very happy with sales to under 18's.

Buying Realistic Imitation Firearms is illegal,

Wrong... only Sale, Import and Manufacture of RIFs is illegal.

sorry yith of course you are correct. I really should read my posts more carefully.
Screaming error rectified

Why does every one have to be so pedantic? I gave a very simple and accurate answer to a simple question!

(Anyway, pretty sure it's illegal for under 18's to buy )

Yes dave it is:

...
40 Supplying imitation firearms to minors
(1) After section 24 of the 1968 Act insert—
“24A Supplying imitation firearms to minors
(1) It is an offence for a person under the age of eighteen to purchase an
imitation firearm.
(2) It is an offence to sell an imitation firearm to a person under the age of
eighteen.
...

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Acts/acts2006/pd ... 038_en.pdf

Note that means IFs as well as RIFs... so no "two tones" either!

Thanks for the input folks. All advice is welcome!

fred

:rofl: Why does every one have to be so pedantic? I gave a very simple and accurate answer to a simple question!

(Anyway, pretty sure it's illegal for under 18's to buy )

Yes you did, The problem is just about every one and their cat jumped on the "interpretation" of VCRA and didn't so much muddy the waters as pour cement into it. Very few of those who would enforce it, understand it. Some have no interest in it and the reality is,it is an awful piece of legislation. It has put the frighteners on many and for no good reason.

what I find funny is the fact that there was always legislation to prohibit the posession of firearm in the public domain, it was always illegal to sell to under 18's and those who would use RIF's ect for criminal purposes are funnily enough criminals. All of whom won't really care what law they are breaking.

So basicly a rubbish bit of legislation, pretty close to un enforceable, used by trading standards and either ignored or unknown to most police.

Still its there,its going to stay. Cover your back.

Well said, sir.

Fred, unless you really need the cash or the space I'd hang onto what you have. You're not breaking the law by owning it and it's all going to appreciate in value as time goes by.

feel free to sell to the isle of man as we don't have any silly VCRA act!

Good Lord, is that so? What other advantages to living on the IOM are there? Make us envious!

Good Lord, is that so? What other advantages to living on the IOM are there? Make us envious!

TT race? No speed limit out of city limits?

Could one of you fine fellows answer me this before I cock up!
my Godson comes skirmishing with me at my local site. As a special Xmas/birthday pressie i was going to buy him a cheapsoft AEG and give it to him as a gift. He is 14, that okay?
After all he did not buy it himself?

confused.com

Fred, unless you really need the cash or the space I'd hang onto what you have. You're not breaking the law by owning it and it's all going to appreciate in value as time goes by.

Unless it's a FAMAS.....