Airsoft guns for the UK

[The Russian234]

Hey guys, I'm new to this sport and I am looking into buying my very first, quality gun. I am planning on playing games over the summer, and then continuing this hobby in the UK when I go to study there in september. I want to buy a gun that will be legal to import into that country and I want input and suggestions on this whole process.
So, I'm looking into a $400 scout gun that would be legal to own in both countries..

[phloudernow]

note that once you take a gun out of this country you cannot bring it back in, unless through a lengthly procedure that wouldnt be worth your time. so you might as well keep one here and have one over there in the UK, note that you have to obtain a licence to own airsoft in the UK, or something along those lines from what ive heard

[R.I.T.Z]

wrong place to ask about importation laws in another country
their laws are different then ours

[The Russian234]

Originally Posted by phloudernow

note that once you take a gun out of this country you cannot bring it back in, unless through a lengthly procedure that wouldnt be worth your time. so you might as well keep one here and have one over there in the UK, note that you have to obtain a licence to own airsoft in the UK, or something along those lines from what ive heard

oh no
would you have a link to that lengthy procedure? Would you say you licencing process is difficult? Could it be done without coming into the country, so it would be ready by sept 1st? Sorry about the specifics, you probably wouldnt know

"wrong place to ask about importation laws in another country
their laws are different then ours "
yeah, still theses alot of expertice here.

Looks like they're quite fascist about this, its gonna be really difficult to have this hobby from the looks of it

[Brian McIlmoyle]

Buy a gun here, then sell it and then buy one over there.

Airsoft guns in the UK are strictly controlled, there is a licensing and registration regime in place.

Possession is a criminal offense except in certain approved uses.

http://www.airsoftuk.info/uk-airsoft-laws.html


here is the specific statute.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/38/section/37

[The Russian234]

Thanks a lot Brian, I'll follow your advice. Now, if I buy a gun and then try to sell it, will I have to ask for much less than the original price? Wondering whether I'd be more economical to just rent for the summer..

[Brian McIlmoyle]

Originally Posted by The Russian234

Thanks a lot Brian, I'll follow your advice. Now, if I buy a gun and then try to sell it, will I have to ask for much less than the original price? Wondering whether I'd be more economical to just rent for the summer..

you should figure if you buy a gun , use it for the summer and sell it , it will be worth 50% of a new one.

[phloudernow]

however even with that 50% you can still buy a brand new gun in the UK for a good deal, since all the guns in canada are like double the price of ones in other countries anyway

[Brian McIlmoyle]

Originally Posted by phloudernow

however even with that 50% you can still buy a brand new gun in the UK for a good deal, since all the guns in canada are like double the price of ones in other countries anyway

not so much the UK ..it's a pretty small market as well and suffers under similar pressures as the Canadian market..

[L473ncy]

I'm in the UK at the moment. It's midnight here and I have to write an exam tomorrow but I'll update or PM you some info. There's some intricacies you need to know (that I learned after lengthy amounts of reading and looking up different links from lots of different sources). Arnies is a good start though and you'll want to read up on the VCRA (Violent Crime Reduction Act).

[The Russian234]

Originally Posted by L473ncy

I'm in the UK at the moment. It's midnight here and I have to write an exam tomorrow but I'll update or PM you some info. There's some intricacies you need to know (that I learned after lengthy amounts of reading and looking up different links from lots of different sources). Arnies is a good start though and you'll want to read up on the VCRA (Violent Crime Reduction Act).

I'm looking forward to your response. Also, can all this stuff be aquired with a student visa, or do I have to be a citizen to get the liscense and all that?

[phloudernow]

student visa should be fine im not too sure, but i know you have to be 18, i have friends who grew up with me in hong kong but are now back in UK for university and they airsoft however they were born there originally so i dont know

[sortie39]

reportedly the uk has the most airsoft players all over the world,but the strictest legislative system for airsofting,seems like you need a special approved license to purchase BB guns.

also there are detailed classifications about imitation firearms,airsoft,airguns,deactivated weapons and so on...

I have been to the UK once and sucessfully brought a spanish GAMMO airgun back.

[phloudernow]

hmm well hong kong has the most airsofters in ONE CITY