UKARA

DO I NEED UKARA TO BUY AN AIRSOFT GUN?

In 2006 UKARA was formed in response to the ‘Violent Crime Reduction’ Act (VCRA), which specified that to purchase a realistic-looking firearm i.e. Airsoft Guns or BB Guns, the Individual must have a reason, or defence, for purchasing it.

However, if you do not have a UKARA membership you can still buy a Realistic Imitation Firearms (RIF) but only if you have a valid reason for purchase. This is typically to stop realistic looking guns getting into the hands of people who want to use them for reasons other than airsoft.

So if you do not have either a UKARA membership or a valid defence to purchase a realistic airsoft gun or pistol, there is an alternative to enable you to buy one and its called two-tone. Two-tone means a gun or pistol that is a non-military colour, such as blue, orange, yellow, pink, red or green.

If the gun or pistol is to be delivered outside of the UK then a UKARA membership or an airsoft defence is NOT required.

WHAT IS UKARA?

UKARA stands for ‘United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association’ and is essentially a database of all registered airsoft skirmishers in the UK, which allows retailers to check an individual to see if they are eligible to purchase Replica Imitation Firearms (RIF). UKARA registration is recognised as a valid defence against purchasing an airsoft gun or pistol.

To obtain a UKARA registration an individual must visit an airsoft skirmish site 3 times or more outside of 56 days or 8 weeks, at which point the site can stamp your paperwork which must be handed into a retailer for entry into the database.

Although we recommend to any customer that they get a UKARA membership, we realise that some people may not have access to this. So that is why we also accept the following defences:

  • You are a member of a properly insured historical re-enactment group or society
  • You are a film, television or theatre production company
  • You are (or are acting on behalf of) a museum
  • You are a Crown Servant in pursuance of your Crown duties

COMMON QUESTIONS

Q, I don’t have a UKARA membership of a defence! Can I still buy an Airsoft Gun?

A, You can still buy an airsoft gun or pistol but one which principle colour is significantly different from that of a real firearm and known as two-tone.

Q, Does a Two-Tone gun or pistol cost extra?

A, Our two-tone guns and pistols cost the same as our RIF guns and pistols.

Q, How long does it take to get a two-tone gun or pistol?

A, We have all of our guns and pistols in stock in two-tone so no extra painting is needed.

Q, I have a Firearms Certificate, can I purchase a non two-tone gun?

A, Unfortunately not, the Firearms Act is different from the VCRA Act.

Q, I am in the Armed Forces, can this be my airsoft defence?

A, This can only be an airsoft defence if the gun or pistol is for training purposes.

Q. If I am under 18 years of age, can I still buy an airsoft gun?

A. Anyone 18 years old can buy a two-tone airsoft gun or pistol and either gift it to you, or allow you to use it. So, a parent can buy a two-tone airsoft gun or pistol and give it to their child to use or keep, you are not breaking the law.