Advice on gun law [Archive] - Paintball Forum

Predhunter

30-11-2006, 15:23

Bully

05-12-2006, 18:48

Paintball markers are NOT classed as firearms they only become a firearm if they fire above about 340fps/12ft lbs (using a paintball), fire toxic paintballs, are modified to fire something they are not intended to fire, are fully automatic and all these would be up to a court to decide.

The key to everything is paintball markers fire a FRANGIBLE projectile unlike all other air weapons. Paintballs are designed to break on impact unlike air pellets that can penetrate the skin and could cause serious injury or even death.

As far as carrying them around and shooting in the halls then they would come under the VCR bill.

http://www.ukpsf.com/paintballlaw.asp

The key points are on these pages of the web site but insert 18 years old wherever 17 years old is and also it is illegal to sell a paintball marker to anyone under 18 years old - a parent can purchase it an "gift" it to an under 18.

Paintball has rules that are set in conjunction with key bodies, the industry and players, these rules cover most aspect regarding the use of paintball markers therefore as a sport we have self governed. The key authorities like the way we have set rules and stick to them.

Only when something goes wrong and someone is arrested and it goes to court will authorities take a long look at our sport, the outcome is unthinkable - look at hand guns and now replica weapons.

Hope this helps - if you need more info call me on 0845 130 6258

Niall W

11-12-2007, 16:03

My friend is thinking of buying one of the new Sp - 1's ... so should i advise him not to?
thanks, Niall :cool:

Bully

11-12-2007, 16:40

You can buy what you want as it is not up to the UKPSF to stop anyone buying any marker.

Steve

Niall W

11-12-2007, 17:08

i know, but i saw somewhere that the government was banning "real looking" paintball markers.
any help?

Branno

11-12-2007, 17:23

I am sure this is to stop people taking markers onto the street , but big brands such as Smart Parts, if this is a law, they will have probably overcome this problem to stay in the UK market.

Niall W

11-12-2007, 17:41

very true, i'll pass it on ... thanks

tommikka

11-12-2007, 19:21

You can buy what you want as it is not up to the UKPSF to stop anyone buying any marker.
Steve

It's up to the law of the land. UKPSF (and NPC) represent paintballers and liaise with the powers and advise the rest of us.

The VCR affects replica or lookalike firearms. Airsofters have got themselves an exclusion by setting uip a 'skirmishers' register.

For paintballers it is not currently thought that we are affected by the changes - but the existing controls apply.

Current opinion is that the realistic functioning RAM range are now illegal, but that 'similar' modifications could be legal. However it is subject to opinion as to whether a marker is close enough to be a replica.

The law as in force covers sale and manufacure from 1 October 07. Possesion of existing ones is probably OK.

But common sense is required, they should not be visible outside of your own property and paintball sites.

The original post in this topic was pre-VCR and it would be considered illegal to be firing markers in public areas.

Bully

11-12-2007, 20:27

Tom is quite correct - the Government has not banned any paintball markers they have made it an offence to own or sell a realistic imitation firearm (a look a like) so if you believe that what you are buying could be confused for the real weapon then I would suggest you don't buy it.

I have asked the Home Office to look at specific markers and they will not offer any advice as "It would be up to a court to decide if something looks like the real thing"

To think that Smart Parts or any of the manufacturers have overcome the problem is a mile from the reality. I receive e mails every week from US companies showing their latest RAM (Real Action Markers) and in my opinion a lot of these would be illegal.

Steve

Trigger Happy

12-12-2007, 20:14

Hey,

Just got stopped by university security, and they told me someone has been firing paintball guns in the halls (as I am the president of the university society), and even though I don't live at the halls anymore (i'm old) they wanted me to find out who it was.

What precisely are the laws pertaining to firing/carrying paintball markers/gas/ammo?

I've been quoting firearms laws to everyone, but I've keep getting arguments that paintball guns aren't firearms (even though my knowledge is that they are coz they fire projectiles over 200 fps)

Any help will do nicely, and I'll send everyone in my society a flier.

Adam

Here is a a reply to a couple of questions I put to a guy who is a fire arms expert. My questions are below the answer.

As long as your paintball gun fires with a kinetic energy less than 12 ft.
lbs you're ok. If you don't cause alarm to anyone, you should be fine using the gun in your garden. I would have thought the shop you bought it from would have been able to advise you.

David Dyson

>From:
>Reply-To: member@************
>To: david.dyson@firearmsexpert.co.uk
>Subject: Air Gun
>Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2007 23:22:34 +0200 (CEST)
>
>Just making an equiry and seeking advice. I have recently purchased a
>Paintball Marker (Gun) and am curious of the following: - Does a
>Painball Marker constitute and Air Weapon and/or Fire Arm?
>Can I use it in my garden to test, clean, align the sights and practice.

frosties

12-12-2007, 20:23

Is that what Bully posted above??? maybe he is enlightlened - or maybe because he is the UKPSF president and should be able to answer these types of questions!

Bully

14-12-2007, 20:12

I think so - a mind reader

Steve

Andy-YPC

13-01-2008, 20:36

"To further discuss this answer, please post up a new thread in General Paintball Chat."