Airsofting!

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by Patrick, Apr 16, 2013.

Airsofting!

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by Patrick, Apr 16, 2013.

  1. IOLAR2011

    IOLAR2011 Shoutbox Operator Extraordinaire

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    It is a subsection in the firearms law.

    It basically states that any projectile firing weapon must have a muzzle energy of 1 joule or less of energy to be legal. Above that and it is an illegal firearm. Airsoft replicas don't have unique serial numbers or anything to be registered for a license so it can't be upgraded

    That translates to 100m/s for a 0.2g BB. About 89m/s for a 0.25g one and so on. The formula used is:

    (1/2)x(mass [in kg])x(velocity squared [in m/s])

    So our airsoft rifles are referred to as RIFs (Realistic Imitation Firearms) key word being imitation.

    We don't have limits on colours or stuff so we can keep ours looking cool but they must be under 1 Joule, plain and simple. The 1 Joule law used to be more of a problem a few years ago as a lot of manufacturers made their AEGs over our limit so there was the difficulty of getting it downgraded to within legal limits before it reached the countries. Retailers had to take this cost on top of shipping and tax so their was a difference between our prices and other countries. Nowadays a lot more manufacturers have begun to make 1 Joule AEGs because a lot of countries have adopted 1 Joule as their airsoft limit so it makes trading easier for them. For example, a company called G&G used to be redistributed in europe by a wholesaler. The wholesaler started asking them to downgrade their AEGs in the factory for their customers and after a few years of doing this, G&G stopped using the middleman and made 1 Joule AEGs and sold them directly to retailers as there was more money in it for both parties and they had gotten a reputation as a good and reliable manufacturer from their years of selling through the wholesaler.

    1 Joule is popular because it is safe. It can hurt and may damage an eye if it hits directly but won't rupture it. But everyone playing at sites wear eye protection. It is not legally required but everyone does it because it makes sense.

    The only other laws regarding airsoft are proper storage and transport like real firearms. So you must carry it in a bag in public and can't show it as you can be charged with brandishing a firearm. So it is a full firearms offence.
     
  2. MikeHonchoYou

    MikeHonchoYou .

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    Champion reply sir thankyou :)
     
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  3. IOLAR2011

    IOLAR2011 Shoutbox Operator Extraordinaire

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    No worries man. May I ask why the interest in our situation? Planning a visit or wondering what kind of laws work in other countries just?
     
  4. MikeHonchoYou

    MikeHonchoYou .

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    No there is an organization/council trying to overturn the ban on airsoft rifles. Figured I would ask them about what their proposed amendments to current legislation they are presenting to our members of parliament/government.
     
  5. MikeHonchoYou

    MikeHonchoYou .

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    Or I could just have a crack at airsoft overseas if i ever decide to travel.
     
  6. IOLAR2011

    IOLAR2011 Shoutbox Operator Extraordinaire

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    In that case I'll get you better citation. If you see here it will show you the section in Irish law concerning airsoft. Page 36, section (b):
    http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/acts/2006/A2606.pdf

    It basically means that an airsoft device with 1 Joule or less is not classifified as a firearm.

    Here on page 28. Point 40, states the offence of carrying an RIF in public:

    http://irishairsoft.ie/wp-content/u...miscellaneous-provisions-bill-2009_passed.pdf

    I got these links from an Irish airsoft retailer in a FAQ section on their website

    Another point people bring up about the sport (we got it classified as a sport here by the national authority) is about how it teaches responsibility. An airsofter will tell you to treat it like a firearm and to adhere to the safety rules. Despite the much reduced risk, it is important that people know what to do to avoid accidents. So finger off the trigger, keep it in safe mode when not in use and don't point the barrel at anyone or anything. In safe zones as well you must keep the magazine out.

    In many countries which have airsoft and firearms, they use airsoft as a way to teach new people or children about responsible firearms usage and safety. It is a very good way to cover basics without the need for a real firearm.

    Airsoft itself was developed decades ago as a method of non-lethal training for law enforcement or military. It actually pre-dates paintball by invention, but it became available to consumers later than paintball.

    If you have anymore questions let me know. Or if you ever visit Ireland, let me know and I can bring my spare gear and find an airsoft site to visit.
     
  7. Sotet

    Sotet See Sw0ltet, be firmly erect.

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    You are quite knowledgeable Iolar, would love to talk to you about this sometime in the future.
     
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  8. MikeHonchoYou

    MikeHonchoYou .

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    Thanks for the links man much appreciated. I will give those a read through tonight and try to pass those off to the Australian airsoft council :)

    Making me jelly haha.
     
  9. IOLAR2011

    IOLAR2011 Shoutbox Operator Extraordinaire

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    I have been playing airsoft with about 4.5 years now. 3.5 years of that I was involved in the largest forum in Ireland for discussing airsoft. In that time I took in a lot of advice and eventually began to give some as well to newer players.

    I have been pretty involved in airsoft, learning the laws regarding it and it's situation worldwide. I also have been involved in the technical side doing a lot of my own upgrades and repairs.

    I founded and ran an airsoft society in my college for 1.5 years, so I had a responsibility to organise and have knowledge about the sport as we brought it to a lot of new people. Eventually we had to stop as we weren't able to get enough people to commit to game days. There was a lot of work involved as we had to plan 2 weeks in advance but we were getting people a 40% discount as well (gameday+transportation to and from site). Not to mention, the majority of people who eventually went to an event loved it.

    Nowadays I am trying to play more how I want as I had to put my own interest aside for those 1.5 years as I was focusing on helping others to enjoy the sport. I do try and help share my knowledge whenever I can with people interested in airsoft now as well as promote it as a fun and safe sport with a great community. It is proving to actually be a good rehabilitation tool for retiring military personnel in the US, for the sport and the friendships you make.

    @MikeHonchoYou
    In Ireland we have the IAA(Irish Airsoft Association) it is a group of volunteers who are our official body who liaise with the government on issues regarding airsoft if they arise. I am not sure if they were founded before it became legalised or the group of individuals who worked with the government to get it legalised went on to become the first committee. Every year there are elections were people can volunteer to work on the committee. Recently to increase numbers they did allow airsoft retailers to nominate themselves. Before they didn't allow it due to possible commercial interests clashing with responsibilities but now they accept that the retailers have more interest in protecting airsoft as their livelihoods are on the line. They live airsoft, they have a job to lose rather than a hobby. The IAA also promote the sport by going to trade shows around the country to introduce it to new people. They have a booth with an AEG cut down the middle to show how it works.

    I would advise asking the Australian Airsoft Council if they have reached out to other councils in other countries where airsoft has been legalised. This is the webpage for ours: http://www.irishairsoft.ie/
     
  10. MikeHonchoYou

    MikeHonchoYou .

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    Cheers man, I can't make much on this until I get home to my computer to have a proper read through. Big thanks for all your help knowledge and insite on airsoft :)