UK bans the import of *anything remotely harmful*...

[tk1608]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

Hey guys, as a member of the UKG we do a lot of work for charities and such... the weapons we carry are PART of the costume, so as airsofters need theirs to carry on their hobby we need ours to carry on ours.. if you follow.

I'm wondering if we could use the " charity " slant somehow to convince the politicans that we are serious, law abiding, and do useful work and need our props, as they are essencial to be convincing. After all if a organisation has donated a substancial sum, they would be dissappointed when we turn up without the blasters.

Would that work do you think....I'm not trying to use the more un-fortunate folks as a tool here, just trying to point out a reason why we need the props that might explain it to government types who don't get it..

Dunno..this is prolly ridiculas...thoughts ??

Phil

And whether QMX manage to get the Mal pistol out by then.

 

[stonedog7563]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

While I can stock up before October....


....it's the weapon props that are yet to come that really worry me:cry

Thats the thing, all those releases yet to be made after October, like MR's Boba fett blaster :cry

 

[RKW]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

Maybe if we all dress up in V for Vendetta costumes brandishing are daggers chanting "Geeks NEED Guns" while marching outside parliament they'll all take notice.
:lol

Who you calling stupid Mr Overpaid, slave dealing, tax avoiding, gas guzzling owner with far too many cool props
:angry

 

[fergal1969]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

Has anyone in the UK created an online petition against the sale of replica/prop weapons yet?

I find it strange that the UK government targets the wrong people as far as firearms are concerned. They target the law abiding collectors/shooters as they are an easy target. A number of years ago they banned handguns & all people who owned them legally has to surrender them.

Gun crime still continues!

They think targeting replicas & prop firearms will make a difference - I don't think so!

 

[Eagle]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

It might help but it MUST be worded very carefully. "Give us our guns" will not work.

The Government do not accept that we have any valid reason to possess replica firearms of any description. We are fortunate that we are being allowed to keep what we already have... for now.

The argument has already been brought to their table - and they have said NO.

If and when Master Replicas bring out the Pulse Rifle, collectors are going to freak out...
 

 

[stonedog7563]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

Since all this, ive even been considering selling my stuff off while i can and moving on to something different :cry when you think about it, 9 times out of 10, what are the most stand out props in the sort of films that appeal to the prop collector ???? GUNS, pulse rifle, the many blasters from Star Wars, the Blade Runner blaster, that cool machine gun that Blade uses etc etc etc

What to do what to do :confused :confused

 

[Don Jarr]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

Hi all

While it has been said before, this just seems a total bulls up by the government (yet again,) rushing into something with little or no thought. So ban airsoft replica guns but leave deactivated real guns alone.

So Mr Criminal who used to use airsoft guns to hold up Quikie Mart, now can’t buy them, because they have been banned. So does the government think he is going to say oh! bugger that’s the end of my criminal lifestyle, and become a law abiding citizen.

Of course not, what it’s going to do is push criminals from using perfectly safe toy guns that shoot little plastic balls, to buying deactivated guns, which they will soon discover some of are very easy to reactivate, namely world famous AK47 if you have access to some welding gear, lathe and few other workshop tools, and an afternoon spare. (Recently there was a raid locally and the guys were doing this, that’s how I know.)

As it stands police are called to a hold up and while some are real guns a lot seem to be replica guns, and so Mr Criminal isn’t really going to anything more than scare a few people and cause a commotion. Worst case scenario he gets shot which is his fault, and serves him right. So ban replica guns and force criminals to buy deactivated guns, and before long Mr Criminal is going to be holding up Quikie Mart with a real working Ak47 or similar. Then what are the government going to do??

As much as I hate to say it gun crime is here to stay and can only increase. The government seem to think by banning stuff its stops it, however I wish someone would just point out it doesn’t. All it does is create an black market for stuff sold by criminals for criminals which only funds more criminal acts.

What they need to do is concentrate on the laws, making them fit the crimes, not the jokes we have now which were made some 70 years ago.

Rant over

 

[Birdie]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

Not wishing to be glib, but I'm surprised we got away with it so long. This bill was meant to come in, what, two years ago?

Better brush up on those scratch-building skills, boys.

Oh, and I'm happy with the Pulse Rifle I have

 

[fergal1969]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

It might help but it MUST be worded very carefully. "Give us our guns" will not work.

The Government do not accept that we have any valid reason to possess replica firearms of any description. We are fortunate that we are being allowed to keep what we already have... for now.

The argument has already been brought to their table - and they have said NO.

If and when Master Replicas bring out the Pulse Rifle, collectors are going to freak out...

Does anyone have any wording that could be used to set up an online petition?

 

[defstartrooper]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

I agree with Don its just a typical British government over reaction.
Yes it is true gun crime is on the rise here only yesterday on the news there was a 12 year old girl in Manchester shot to death by her 17 year old brother with a re-activated gun a truly sad and awful affair but banning replicas will not stop incidents like this.
As Don pointed out a replica cant fire anything and kill someone.
yeah sure ok a criminal may use a replica to threaten someone and commit robbery but in the end there is no actual danger to life other than to the criminal if they are fired on by an armed police officer the answer is to prosecute more strongly those that use replicas in a criminal way.
But sadly thats not how our government work they would rather just victimise everyone for the actions of the few.
There really is no logic behind this ban i wish i could afford to leave the UK i really do the government do there best to make our lives miserable we are overworked,overtaxed,underpaid and they do everything they can to make sure we cant have any fun.

 

[JOATRASH FX]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

Guys... I really want to help all the UK collectors. Don't lose heart... don't give in. October is still a few months away.

Some valid reasons for our hobby:

- Historical preservation of the craftsmanship of UK prop builders/artisans. Some of the coolest props were built there and we're helping to preserve that heritage.
- Our replicas are not likely to end up on the streets as they are most often cherished and closely guarded.
- Our hobby promotes communication and community internationally. People in all walks of life collect props and costume!
- Our hobby often promotes and celebrates heroes and the fight against evil (ok, it's cheesy, but true :sick)

I would also think that companies such as MR (Corgi owned!) and QMX, along with all those that sell replicas in the UK, would be eager to get behind us on this.

 

[Helmetman]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

Airsoft guns seem to be still OK at the moment. I'm building a Pulse Rifle and had 2 SPAS 12's imported from the US. Cheaop ones.

I was convinced they would get seized but they arrived today

I spoke to an Airsoft firm in the UK. He told me that ordering from the US is a problem because their customs are checking everything going out, the UK customs coming in are not that rigid.

Also ordering from Japan is a good option for rep gun/prop enthusiasts. Their customs are pretty loose going out.

That's all he told me.

Cheers.

 

[Eagle]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

I would also think that companies such as MR (Corgi owned!) and QMX, along with all those that sell replicas in the UK, would be eager to get behind us on this.

Now there's a plan... anyone have any contacts?

 

[Birdie]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

Airsoft guns seem to be still OK at the moment. I'm building a Pulse Rifle and had 2 SPAS 12's imported from the US. Cheaop ones.

I was convinced they would get seized but they arrived today

I spoke to an Airsoft firm in the UK. He told me that ordering from the US is a problem because their customs are checking everything going out, the UK customs coming in are not that rigid.

Also ordering from Japan is a good option for rep gun/prop enthusiasts. Their customs are pretty loose going out.

That's all he told me.

Cheers.

So are US customs jumping the gun on UK legisation that hasn't come in yet?

I've tended to find that US dealers have always been reluctant to ship airsoft international. I'd guess the US is so big that dealers can support their business' without the hassle of dealing with tupid international laws.

 

[JOATRASH FX]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

When I bought an airsoft Pulse Rifle a couple years ago, I read some real horror stories of airsoft weapons getting seized in the Netherlands simply because the packages had to pass through the Amsterdam airport on their way to whichever country they were sent to! :wacko

But as to the UK situation, surely there must be thousands of people that collect either prop replicas or scifi weapons there. I can't do much from where I am (Sweden) but I'd like to help out in some way. Our hobby should be growing, not shrinking. (I'd also like to be able to live in England for a while somewhere down the line...)

First of all... I suggest someone in the UK gives the Corgi head offices a call and ask their PR people about it... just to see what their stance is.

 

[the DOCTOR]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

Better brush up on those scratch-building skills, boys.

Unfortunately, I think that the 'manufacture' part of the bill/act covers this, so best scratchbuild in room with no windows, and best not to post on 'tinternet what you're doing, and as for sharing the pictures..!:eek

 

[stonedog7563]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

Thats just another stupid part of this bill, how would/could they prove you built anything after the October deadline ?????

Ive got a 70% finished, scratch built pulse rifle i was working on sitting in a cupboard which i havent touched for well over 8 or 9 years, better get it done before October :lol

 

[NEKROFANATIC]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

How does this bill affect Propstore UK? A good chunk of their wares are movie weapons...

 

[JOATRASH FX]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

That crossed my mind as well... and what about makers of feature films or fan-films? What if you're doing a short Star Wars flick in the UK and need some Trooper rifles?

I just thought of another thing. Say you import a MR Storm Trooper blaster with the orange plug. If you brandish that unmodified in a robbery (hypothetically), the plug will make it obvious that it isn't a real firearm... without needing close inspection... so how would that be judged?

Now, airsofts don't have orange plugs... so if they weren't exempt, you couldn't tell the difference to a real weapon. Denix weapons don't have plugs either... so they're pretty much screwed right away unless they were modified. I mean... what would happen if you sprayed a Denix Beretta with blue paint?

 

[Birdie]

Re: UK bans import of replica firearms...

That crossed my mind as well... and what about makers of feature films or fan-films? What if you're doing a short Star Wars flick in the UK and need some Trooper rifles?

I just thought of another thing. Say you import a MR Storm Trooper blaster with the orange plug. If you brandish that unmodified in a robbery (hypothetically), the plug will make it obvious that it isn't a real firearm... without needing close inspection... so how would that be judged?

Now, airsofts don't have orange plugs... so if they weren't exempt, you couldn't tell the difference to a real weapon. Denix weapons don't have plugs either... so they're pretty much screwed right away unless they were modified. I mean... what would happen if you sprayed a Denix Beretta with blue paint?

My personal belief is that this law is a deterrent measure that will not be strongly enforced. The British police are too busy making money out of busting speeding motorists to bother with much else.

They will make a big fuss when the law comes in, pick on the odd scapegoat and forget about it within six months. They will not be monitoring internet forums for Jedi Whatsiface's latest blaster buildup :lol

I think customs' attitudes will be more significant than the old bill's, who won't want to bother with folk like us.

The idiocy of Propstore theoretically being able to sell a hero deac but not a rubber stunt shows how ill thought out thewhole thing is. Uininforceable, in its current state.