I am writing to you concerning the recent bill announced by the government concerning the ban on the sale, importation and manufacture of replica firearms. If this bill, in its current state were made law, it would affect thousands of legitimate Airsoft players around the country.

I myself collect and use low powered Airsoft replicas on professionally run site in a hobby that is similar to paintball, which operates as a sport. With such a ban in place, it would have an absolutely devastating affect on my hobby.

I would there fore like to arrange a meeting with yourself to discuss the matter further at your earliest convenience. I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

I am writing to you concerning the recent bill announced by the government concerning the ban on the sale, importation and manufacture of replica firearms. If this bill, in its current state were made law, it would affect thousands of legitimate Airsoft players around the country.

I myself collect and use low powered Airsoft and have spent many hundreds of pounds on my hobby so far. The vast majority of collectors in this country are mature; law abiding citizens who will be greatly affected by this bill.

I would greatly appreciate it if you would research the matter and consider the many implications a ban would bring. Please do not hesitate in contacting me if you should need any further information.

Yours sincerely,

I am writing to you concerning the recent bill announced by the government concerning the ban on the sale, importation and manufacture of replica firearms.

I currently run a business that deals in Airsoft replicas and if the bill were to go through, I would be forced to close. Many others like myself have always traded in a responsible manner and promote the safe use and sale to mature users over the age of 18.

The kind of products we trade in are high grade, low powered airsoft guns that are used in a hobby similar to paintball, which operates as a sport. The vast majority of use is by teams and tens of thousands of individuals on professionally run and fully insured sites all over the country.

I do not see why a ban should encompass such a legitimate section of an industry, where the vast majority of the problems lie with the unregulated sale of cheap, low quality replicas to children. Further to this, I fail to see how such a ban will affect the current crime statistics in any way, considering the massive quantity of these already in the country.

Surely a compromise could be met with more research into the possibility that Airsoft replicas could be sold for legitimate use at the same time as regulating the traders involved. I look forward to your response and input to this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Dear Sir,

I am writing to you on behalf of the United Kingdom's Airsoft community to highlight our collective dismay at the planned Violent Crime Reduction Bill, which will see a ban on the sale and manufacture of all replica firearms.

Airsoft is a combat sport similar to paintball, where groups of individuals use private, insured sites (mostly rural) to conduct military simulations using replica, low-powered BB guns. The guns themselves are extremely realistic, but are completely non-lethal and are incapable of being converted to fire live ammunition. (Despite claims in the media stating otherwise.) The UK Airsoft community consists of people who devote their lives to military re-enactment, many dressing up and fighting in the battle-dress of Second World War British Paras or American Army Rangers; with completely accurate reproduction equipment. (I myself have a full 1914 British Expeditionary Force battle-dress.) In this way, we pay tribute to those who fought in past conflicts, and have fostered a very strong, friendly community spirit.

The vast majority or Airsofters are responsible, law-abiding individuals who resent the use of cheap, poorer-quality Airsoft BB guns (often bought at markets) by deviant elements in society to threaten and intimidate. Such criminals are the current bogey of the Labour Government, and are tarring the entire Airsoft-replica using community with the same brush. The higher quality replicas we use are almost never seen in the hands of criminals, but nevertheless, UK Airsofters are being targeted as well.

Because our equipment is manufactured to look exactly like their "real-steel" counterparts, the Violent Crime Reduction Bill will in effect, destroy Airsoft as we know it; owing to the outlawing of the sale and manufacture of replica BB guns. There will be no opportunity to replace parts when guns break, or purchase new or replacement guns. Many Airsoft retailers will lose their livelihoods and will not be compensated for their financial loss.

Many people have mentioned the possibility of licensing the ownership and sale of Airsoft replicas, something which the UK Airsoft community would support, especially in the face of the alternative. A restriction, not a ban, on the sale of replica BB guns (especially over the internet) to registered shops and outlets, would not only vastly reduce the chances of these guns falling into the hands of criminals, but also enable Airsoft so survive as a sport enjoyed by thousands nationwide.

I would be extremely grateful if you could express the plight of UK Airsofters to other Members of the House, and highlight our cause. In addition, if you would like to meet and discuss these issues in person, I would be more than happy to oblige.

I eagerly await your reply.

Yours Sincerely,