shipping airsoft in Canada

[Brian McIlmoyle]

Originally Posted by MillerBRo

lol what colour is the sky in your world Brian- thanks for fixing my post

Rosey pink with nice puffy clouds... sorry.. no offense intended... I'm feellng a little "snippy" today

[MillerBRo]

naw dude it is all good- I get that way myself and am passionate about airsoft as well. With the weather all the airsofters here in cold Canada have to be going nuts to get out and play!

I know it very much sounds like my world view is 'made up' and it is certainly from a legal perspective.

When I got into the sport last May I got a JG M4 CQB and showed a pic of it to my buddy- an RCMP detective. I asked him if it was legal. He said yes totally legalbut... and listed a bunch of reasons why it was also illegal. He also mentioned that customs would always be a bear for airsoft to deal with for similar reasons.

This isnt a law of course- and is based on my interpretation of what he has told me and what I have seen in regards to airsoft:

A replica is a weapon that is near identical to the real steel. Although airsoft guns are certainly very real to the public the qualification of replica is made by a 'weapons expert', in this case the RCMP. Sadly (for the sport) the RCMP erred on the side of caution and specifically mentions Tokyo Marui as an example of an airsoft replica. It looks too real so police dont need that sort of trouble (and rightly so perhaps). So officially when the RCMP get called out to a weapons call you now own an ilegally aquired replica.



But he also admitted that as an officer he has some leeway- if he sees that JG M4 on our local paintball field in Edmonton (where he lives and I used to live) he knows it isnt real steel (and is a poor replica if that- it sounds comical when fired, rattles like a maracca with a high cap with a spinny wheel on the mag, you can see an inner 6mm barrel, etc etc). He knows this because this is the place he would expect to see such a replica- but out on public land or in the city he would assume it was real.

So why the seeming double standard? If a criminal can use it for ill then society must come first so the law is unforgiving when it gets involved- whether by a man who tries to use the airsoft gun in a crime:

http://www.cityofgp.com/citygov/dept...sgunupdate.htm

or whether they disarm a father and son for scaring people:

http://bc.rcmp.ca/ViewPage.action?co...Youth%20Safety



So the real world result for me was that: I treat my airsoft like real steal and transport it like real steal and replicas require (I'm even getting a combo lock for my cases). Why? Because so long as I am never a problem then the airsoft guns are never the sort of replica they need to worry about. I wont be committing crimes or waving my guns so I need only worry about someone stealing them to do so mischief with them.

Silly I know and it certainly wont hold up in court (I'm not sure I want it to since if my guns got misused then I would be at fault)... BUT I think it is really the only option for a sport that should be 100% legal but got caught between the cracks - what is good for society vs the rights and freedoms of the people in that society to enjoy the sport.

So if the distinction is how and when it is used (which also applies to many of the other non-firearm weapons like airguns and such) then I had best be sure to only use it where appropriate (we play at a private field here in town). If I am silly enough to wave it around public or stupid enough to use it in a crime then I would fully expect to be charged with a replica as thats what my mis-use has made it in the eyes of the law.

[The Saint]

The proper term is "police discretion". In a world of finites, the police simply don't have the resources to pursuit every legal violation equally. In addition, not all legal violations are equal. This makes discretion one of the cornerstones of policing, even if academics often points out the various problems police discretion can produce.

[Antho]

hey guys, i just brought a JG g36k v3 ffrom import-action (they are in the us) and am a bit nervous about the custums , it has 350 fps and i did never import any airsoft before , and there is a orange tip on it and only metal gearbox .Can someone tell me if am going to be alright or am gon lose all the money i spend ?????

[Antho]

Originally Posted by The Saint

The proper term is "police discretion". In a world of finites, the police simply don't have the resources to pursuit every legal violation equally. In addition, not all legal violations are equal. This makes discretion one of the cornerstones of policing, even if academics often points out the various problems police discretion can produce.

please saint , reply to my message under your (am new lol)

[mcguyver]

Your money is gone. Your gun will be seized.

If anything other than this occurs, you are extremely lucky, and you did violate Canadian law.

I'm surprised that folks who have the wherewithall to internationally order items would not even bother to check if it's legal to do so until after they order it.

[SurplusIG]

I'm surprised purolator won't ship airsoft guns, I had them come to the store pick up a gun for a customer without even packing it ... I just gave them the box with the crazy M4 pic on it with the gun inside and the delivery address and they went about their business ... I did this today :S

[L473ncy]

Originally Posted by SurplusIG

I'm surprised purolator won't ship airsoft guns, I had them come to the store pick up a gun for a customer without even packing it ... I just gave them the box with the crazy M4 pic on it with the gun inside and the delivery address and they went about their business ... I did this today :S

It actually might have been the depots discretion that was used to refuse shipping it. Maybe they wanted to stay on the safe side so just said we're going to refuse to ship, you'll have to take it to another courier.

Oh yeah you probably should have wrapped the package or at least turned the box inside out as a service to the buyer (don't want the neighbourhood soccer mom to see a cardboard box with a picture of a "military grade assault rifle" on it (wait.... that wasn't sarcasm it actually is a (model of a) military grade assault rifle).

[Styrak]

Turn the box inside out, or wrap it in brown paper/newspaper, ship with Canada Post.

Simple.

[The Saint]

Originally Posted by Antho

please saint , reply to my message under your (am new lol)

I have nothing to add to what mcguyver has already posted.

[Dart]

Originally Posted by mcguyver

Your money is gone. Your gun will be seized.

If anything other than this occurs, you are extremely lucky, and you did violate Canadian law.

I'm surprised that folks who have the wherewithall to internationally order items would not even bother to check if it's legal to do so until after they order it.

I also surprised that the dealers don't refuse to ship to canada. There needs to be liability on both parties.

[mcguyver]

Originally Posted by Dart

I also surprised that the dealers don't refuse to ship to canada. There needs to be liability on both parties.

Why wouldn't they take your money, and send you something that you might not receive?

Like you could go after them if it you didn't receive it? Unless you use a credit card or Paypal, but many international retailers won't allow those payment options, for the express reason you could cancel payment because you lost your goods in seizure. This is not really the retailer's problem, so they don't want to be stuck holding the bag due to the ignorance of the buyer to his/her own laws.

[cranium_bear]

I have a question.

Does anyone know the reason replicas are illegal in canada? Is there one reason the law was made or a few different ones?

And I don't mean speculate. I want to know if anyone knows for sure why the canadian government put that law into affect.

[ujiro]

Because replicas could possibly be cheap, and easily then used in crimes, as they would look just like the real thing, so it would be easy to use.

If someone tried to rob you using airsoft, you would have no idea it was airsoft (most likely). So, in most cases, its cheaper than having a real gun, and easier to get. Perfect for robbing, etc.

[Dart]

lol man I could buy a real AK47 for close to the same price I bought my TM Ak47, and prob have gotten some ammo with it too! 400-500 should be able to get you something real steel on the market. Sure it would net you a glock atleast.

I think one reason why canada is so strick on these is what you said though. If/when I become RCMP if I see someone holding an assault rifle, if they start to turn to me with the barrel pointed at me I will not give them the oppurtinity to turn to me and tell me *this is airsoft*. So with canada making it illigal I think they are trying to make it so this problem does not occure. I have heard of cops shooting kids that have air soft guns. Everyone blames the cop... but I mean honestly what would you do in that situation? I am also a sword collector and it makes me shake me head when they stop stuff of mine at the boarder that is less leathal than a butter knife.

Anyways as for shipping I have found greyhound really never asks questions about whats on there bus. Plus they are normaly way cheaper for over sized goods.

*on a side note if you ever hear the words Freeze, or drop it... DROP THE DAMN GUN! Tell them its fake and than keep your mouth shut, they won't believe you and will treat you as a very high threat until they determine its not real. Be prepared to get handcuffed.*