RCMP and airsoft

[Drache]

Hopefully this isn't nuked like most of the other threads on this topic....

We all know that the CBSA states airsoft is a replica and prohibited... well now do the RCMP. This was sent to me by an RCMP officer and is straight off the RCMP website.

Air guns that are replica firearms

These are air guns that are not powerful enough to cause serious injury or death, but that were designed to resemble a real firearm with near precision. Replica firearms, except for replicas of antique firearms, are classified as prohibited devices.

In particular, some air guns that are commonly called air soft guns may fall into this category. These are devices that have a low muzzle velocity and muzzle energy, and that usually discharge projectiles made out of a substance such as plastic or wax rather than metal or lead.

Although replica firearms are prohibited, you may keep any that you owned on December 1, 1998. You do not need a licence to possess them, and they do not need to be registered. However, as an individual, you cannot import or acquire a replica firearm. If you take a replica firearm out of Canada, you will not be able to bring it back in.

The Criminal Code sets out some penalties for using a replica firearm or any other imitation firearm to commit a crime.

Maybe it's time to actually get a group together and PROVE that airsoft can cause bodily harm. Pictures of chipped teeth, bleeding BB wounds, BB's in the skin, etc to pull it out of the replica airgun category and stick it in with the likes of "realistic" looking pellet guns.

We know CANsoft isn't classified as a replica (thus why the thing above says SOME airsoft guns) but all full black guns are. So we either all start playing with cansoft or do something about changing the categories.

Simply put, realistic looking pellet guns aren't classified as replicas so all the airsoft community needs to do is prove that airsoft can cause just as much bodily harm as a realistic looking pellet gun.

So now according to the RCMP, the buying and selling of full black airsoft guns is now a prohibited act.

Air guns that meet the Criminal Code definition of a firearm, but that are deemed not to be firearms for certain purposes of the Firearms Act and Criminal Code.

These are air guns with a maximum muzzle velocity of 152.4 meters or 500 feet per second and/or a maximum muzzle energy of 5.7 joules or 4.2 foot pounds.

Such air guns are exempt from licensing, registration, and other requirements under the Firearms Act, and from penalties set out in the Criminal Code for possessing a firearm without a valid licence or registration certificate. However, they are considered to be firearms under the Criminal Code if they are used to commit a crime. Anyone who uses such an air gun to commit a crime faces the same penalties as someone who uses a regular firearm.

The simple possession, acquisition and use of these air guns for lawful purposes is regulated more by provincial and municipal laws and by-laws than by federal law. For example, some provinces may have set a minimum age for acquiring such an air gun. For more information, please contact your local or provincial authorities.

These air guns are exempt from the specific safe storage, transportation and handling requirements set out in the regulations supporting the Firearms Act. However, the Criminal Code requires that reasonable precautions be taken to use, carry, handle, store, transport, and shipped them in a safe and secure manner.

The above quote is what most realistic looking pellet guns fall into now, the same guns you can buy from Canadian tire, Walmart, etc.

[The Saint]

You're throwing around old facts like they're news. All this has been the case for the last several years.

[Drake]

That's pretty much the same text that's been on the CFC factsheets for years now.

The RCMP aren't exactly coming after us: it's CBSA that's preventing importation, and they get to interpret the rules their own way. You can contest the CBSA seizure, have it sent for testing by the RCMP, and it may be found to meet the criteria to be a non-firearm AND non-replica, but there's no guarantee, you foot the bill, and you may not see your gun for a year or more.

[kullwarrior]

dude, read court cases on appeals for airsoft guns, they mentioned the velocity needed to consider an airsoft gun as firearms without registation. The Velocity is 407fps w/ .22g (I can confirm it as it was on text from one of the court cases) or 430fps w/ .2g. Theorically you can import those without having it seized and destroyed in the end.
Honestly though, I really want to see an organization formed that is par with UKARA. Licensing will help and can deter alot of criminals as well as irresponsible people from getting it. Licensing could also help ensure the license owner will know the laws and rules associated with it.

[Forever_kaos]

What's the date on these documents you found exactly? lol

I'm not scared for my baby black guns, and nobody should be.

[Drache]

Originally Posted by The Saint

You're throwing around old facts like they're news. All this has been the case for the last several years.

Originally Posted by Drake

That's pretty much the same text that's been on the CFC factsheets for years now.

Actually that was the CFC which even though was run by the RCMP was sort of it's own separate thing. The CFC had their own website, the RCMP had theirs.

Since the start of this year though it was changed to the CFP and now the CFP website IS the RCMP website. The officer email this to me because even though it was on the CFC website, they really never cared, but now that the RCMP is taking a more bigger role with the CFP, the RCMP are receiving memos about things like this as a "reminder" of certain laws.

[Assault Pioneer]

wait, so I dont have to go on a gun splurge like a texan republican when he heard obama's views on gun control?

business as usuall?

if they change it they gotta atleast have it so your have to have your PAL to buy a blacked out one like the laws in Scotland, and the import laws can stay the came for the public's safety from airsoft gun weilding retards, this way we can meet in the middle, having a PAL obviously means your 18+ and helps with the age verification process on this site. I'd be okay with that.

[Drache]

Originally Posted by kullwarrior

dude, read court cases on appeals for airsoft guns, they mentioned the velocity needed to consider an airsoft gun as firearms without registation. The Velocity is 407fps w/ .22g (I can confirm it as it was on text from one of the court cases) or 430fps w/ .2g. Theorically you can import those without having it seized and destroyed in the end.
Honestly though, I really want to see an organization formed that is par with UKARA. Licensing will help and can deter alot of criminals as well as irresponsible people from getting it. Licensing could also help ensure the license owner will know the laws and rules associated with it.

To become a firearm an airgun must meet 500fps AND 5.7 joules, which means with a .2 gram BB, the gun must shoot at 790fps.

[IceTray]

Originally Posted by Drache

Actually that was the CFC which even though was run by the RCMP was sort of it's own separate thing. The CFC had their own website, the RCMP had theirs.

Since the start of this year though it was changed to the CFP and now the CFP website IS the RCMP website. The officer email this to me because even though it was on the CFC website, they really never cared, but now that the RCMP is taking a more bigger role with the CFP, the RCMP are receiving memos about things like this as a "reminder" of certain laws.

..Why? Did you email him asking for it? Or did he just pick you out of the blue to give this information to?

[Drache]

Originally Posted by IceTray

..Why? Did you email him asking for it? Or did he just pick you out of the blue to give this information to?

He's a family friend stationed in Williams Lake.

He used to come over and play with my airsoft all the time and emailed me because everyone at their station just received a memo about airsoft from the CFP.

[The Saint]

So basically, you're surprised and alarmed because a RCMP officer is surprised and alarmed because, being stationed in the middle of Nowhere, BC, he is receiving old information for the first time.

People need to stop being so alarmist.

[Forever_kaos]

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/f...me_air-eng.htm

Revised 2008. We're doomed!

Wait wait... This is 2009 nearly 2010.

Ahah, okay who's got another scary story to tell us? C'mon before the camp fire goes out.


(http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=51609 There's some useful old information.)

[IceTray]

According to their website, that document was last touched in 2008, April. I'm sure if they cared, they would have done something, or told people, or posted something to let people know "Hey, we're comin' for ya!"
As usual, the likely hood of something happening, is slim to nothing.

Edit: Kaos, you so, so, so - stole my information. D:

[kullwarrior]

Originally Posted by Drache

To become a firearm an airgun must meet 500fps AND 5.7 joules, which means with a .2 gram BB, the gun must shoot at 790fps.

NEIN! (NO)
That's firearms which required to be registered. If I recall correct definition of a firearm is basically a device that can be fired by one person and is capable of sending a lethal projectile in a direction. The required me to be classified as lethal it must have the 407fps rule. any firearms between 407 fps and 500fps w/ 5.7J are considered as free firearms. meaning you dont have to register

[Conker]

No matter how old this information is, this "reminder" just proves that maybe the "CBSA is the only one to really care" situation is coming to an end.

Be it or not, I still agree on Drache's fact that something should be done.