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Airsoft is a clean, fun, safe sport practiced by thousands of people thoughout the UK, dont allow the government to ban our sport!

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ABA Leads the SaveAirsoft campain

The dreaded VCR Bill has breezed through its 3rd and final reading in the house of commons and as we expected, the massive Labour majority has done its job well. No ammendments were agreed upon meaning the VCR Bill will go through to the final stage in its current form. This could be a sad day for Airsoft, re-enactment, Police training, The entire UK film industry and any other industry who use realistic immitation firearms!

with this the "Association of British Airsofters" (ABA) have taken the campain to the next step, an exemption has been drafted and will be sent to the Home Office requesting an exemption specifically for Airsoft. The exemption request will be available for public viewing soon.

For the time being please read the following statement from the ABA and pledge your support in any way you can.

As you know, the ABA has been formed to help save Airsoft in the United Kingdom from the worst effects of the proposed Violent Crime Reduction (VCR) bill. The ABA is a council of nine individuals, three each from the three main constituent sections that form UK Airsoft: Players, Sites and Retailers. There are of course other interest groups who orbit the main 'core' of UK Airsoft, all of whom would of course be most welcome to contribute positively should they wish.

In essence the ABA agrees with the main principles of the VCR bill proposals; in summary, the parts of the bill that affect Airsoft (and other replica guns) are designed to get replica guns off the street; i.e. to keep them away from the 'chavs' and other similar groups who might feel that it is 'cool' to carry concealed weapons or who might attempt to use replica weapons in criminal activities. Of course, any right-minded Airsoft enthusiast would find such actions wholly abhorrent and doubtless would therefore agree with the Government's attempt to restrict their sale to such irresponsible individuals.

Lamentably however, as is so often the way with hastily drafted legislation, the VCR bill proposes an all-out ban on the production, importation and sale of any Airsoft replica-weapons. If the bill was to find its way onto the UK statute books unchanged it would, in effect, sound the death-knell for Airsoft in the UK. The VCR bill in current format is, in effect, a "sledge hammer to crack a walnut".

Unfortunately therefore, the worst-of-all news is that, and despite considerable and vociferous attempts made by the ABA (and others) to prevent this happening, it does look as though the VCR bill (or at least those parts which effect Airsoft) will now proceed through further readings in the House of Commons and Lords, and eventually onto the statute books.
(It should be made clear at this stage that this bill does not interfere with Airsoft skirmishing and/or the ownership of Airsoft replicas - yet.)

The actual wording of the VCR bill itself does however offer a glimmer of hope to UK Airsoft; the Home Secretary can grant exemptions to the bill if he can see a clear and reasonable case for such. At this stage, the only realistic remaining hope for UK Airsoft is for it to therefore gain such an exemption.

Members of the ABA council have been working extremely hard and over very many long hours to put together the case for such an exemption. This exemption proposal is now almost complete and comprises a 60+ page document plus associated appendices. This proposal will be printed, bound and presented both in paper and electronic form to the Home Secretary and a host of other relevant Public Servants for consideration. As a courtesy to these individuals, the full content of this proposal document will remain confidential until such a time that it is considered they have had a reasonable chance to read and consider it fully. The document will then be made fully publicly available.

There is nothing controversial within the proposal, indeed it simply seeks to protect the interests of Airsoft in the UK whilst making UK Airsoft perhaps more structured and Airsoft enthusiasts more accountable. This can be achieved and in doing so it would also help better the security and well-being of the British public - which is after all the Government’s first priority. Again, the ABA would here wish to emphasise that in this last respect at least, ABA aims are essentially the same as those of the British Government.

It is a frustrating truism that, certainly for the moment at least, there is very little that can be done by individual Airsoft enthusiasts to help further the cause. This may and probably will change over time and as the quest for exemption gains momentum. Airsoft enthusiasts in the UK do need to accept that some degree of accountability is inevitable and of course responsible enthusiasts have nothing to hide, so this should not be viewed as an obstacle. In the mean time, the best thing individuals can do is to sign up and to indicate their support of UK Airsoft on the ABA website.

VCR Bill Update

OK, sorry for the lack of news and updates. We have been working hard our exemption request. Here is the latest from the Save Airsoft campain...

The VCR Bill Commitee have been discussing the Bill and possibel changes to it, here are some exctracts from the transcripts available online here :

VCR Bill Committee 1st Sitting
(13th October 2005)

Column Number: 8

Hazel Blears: Yes, although of course, I cannot anticipate the debate. If issues are raised that I think worthy of consideration, I am sure that that can be done, but I do not want to pre-empt our discussions. I am sure that hon. Members will have a whole range of different views.

I recognise that late amendments are difficult, not just for members of the Committee but for external organisations. It is important that such organisations should be able to set out their views and have an input. We have done our best to ensure that our amendments have been tabled, but there has been a huge amount of consultation over the summer, particularly about firearms, to try to ensure that we get the legislation right.

I expect that we have all had many letters in our postbags from people involved in historical re-enactment groups, and in the sport of airsoft. I have certainly had a range of correspondence, and we have been in detailed consultation. We are trying to address a mischief—I will not go into the detail—about the misuse of imitations, but the area is complex. My apologies to the Committee on the issue of firearms, but we have flagged up that there will be some new amendments about the definition of realistic imitations so that we focus on the mischief that we are trying to address without catch-all definitions that impinge on the law-abiding majority.

The principle of the Bill and all its provisions is to protect the law-abiding majority of citizens in this country from the lawless behaviour of the

VCR Bill Committee Proposed Ammendments
(Not Yet Discussed)

Clause 30, page 33, line 14, at end insert—
'(9A) In relation to subsections (2), (3) and (8), the following should be included in the exceptions and exemptions from what constitutes a realistic imitation firearm—

(a) deactivated firearms,

(b) deactivated weapons manufactured before 1983,

(c) deactivated weapons of .50" calibre and over,

(d) large machine guns, armoured vehicles and field guns and military equipment where the deactivated weaponry is intrinsic to the equipment,

(e) realistic imitation firearms used in security dog training and security guard training,

(f) realistic imitation firearms used in hunt dog training,

(g) realistic and deactivated firearms used by educators, colleges and schools,

(h) reproduction components for weapons of .50" calibre and over,

(i) starting pistols,

(j) weapons intended for use in "Airsoft" with a muzzle energy of less that 4 joules including BB guns, air guns and paint balls,

(k) realistic imitation firearms for use in theatre, cinema, museums, castles and historic houses, television and sporting events,

(l) parts of weapons required in relation to the weapons listed in paragraphs (a) to (k),

(m) specialist suppliers and armourers relating to the weapons listed in paragraphs (a) to (k).'.

Mr Humfrey Malins
Mr Jonathan Djanogly
Mr Mark Prisk

It Seems all our letters and campaining is doing the trick but that doesnt mean our job is over KEEP WRITING LETTERS, writie them to anyone who is even remotely connected with the VCR Bill Committee. Remember WE ARE NOT CRIMINALS!

Many Many thanks for all the letters and Emails of support you are sending me, Also for the signature sheets I have already recieved.. Please keep sending them all!

Likewise if you have news or updates to this website please send them too.

Positive Press

Once again Airsoft hits the papers in a very positive light! The Gaurdian, as well as a few local newspapers have been reporting on how, through the sport of Airsoft a local council has taken waring gangs of teenagers off the streets and into a positive, educational and team-building activity.

The Home Office, Government and the VCR Bill Committee MUST realise they are about the strangle this sport to death.. Without a supply of Airsoft equipment, this team-building activity will be void of new players, thus killing a perfectly safe and respectable sport.

We at SaveAirsoft.org, the members of UKARA, the UKASGB and the ABA all have the same goals! To keep our Airsoft guns off the streets and out of the public eye while still making them available for use in sports such as Airsoft.

Read the Article yourself for more information... or click here for The Guardians news pages!

Goths and chavs go to war in the woods in attempt to keep the peace on the streets

Council defuses town centre tension with organised BB gun battles between teenagers

Patrick Barkham
Wednesday August 31, 2005
The Guardian

Peterborough's Cathedral Square yesterday afternoon. The scene of regular standoffs between gangs of marauding chavs and goths. Apart from the patter of shoppers' feet on hot paving stones, it's quiet, too quiet.

Ten miles away, at a secret location in the Cambridgeshire countryside, it is a different story. Startled wood pigeons crash through the trees at the sound of plastic ball bearing guns as the city's chavs and goths run through the undergrowth taking pot shots at each other.

War games do not appear the most obvious way to bring together these teenage tribes, as distinctive and implacably opposed to each other as the mods and rockers of the 1960s. But Peterborough city council is hoping that a new scheme, in which they take unruly chavs and goths on "airsoft" war games, will bring a truce to the trouble in Cathedral Square.

Fourteen male and female chavs and goths yesterday swapped fake Burberry and Marilyn Manson T-shirts for camouflage to take part in the first of the airsoft games, which is similar to paintballing but uses ball bearing - BB - guns firing plastic balls.

The voluntary scheme has been organised by the city's street wardens with the blessing of the local police. The street wardens were introduced three years ago to tackle antisocial behaviour and petty street crime but have found the antagonism between chavs and goths difficult to quell.

The gangs have attracted complaints of underage drinking, violence, vandalism, graffiti and littering. Police have also received a spate of calls from members of the public terrified by teenagers firing the frighteningly realistic-looking BB guns at each other on the streets.

Kitted out in black body armour and chomping on a large cigar, Steve Mayes, the street warden supervisor, looks more than a match for any mouthy chav or stoned goth. But he's found both groups showing scant regard for him, each other or society, and hopes that skirmishes in the countryside will instil respect.

"We've had large groups of chavs and goths on Cathedral Square on a Saturday. They've not really being doing any harm but the sheer number of them intimidates people," he said. "It's like mods and rockers - not that these guys start fighting, it's just a bit of a slap here and there."

The few goths who still walk across the square by the city's Norman cathedral are not so sure. War games in the countryside? "That's going to be murder," said Kenny, 19, resplendent in his daywear of black boots, black jeans, black shirt and long black leather jacket (it's sunny and 25C). "The chavs will take knives."

Kenny admits he was once a "borderline" chav but got in with skaters, punks and then goths. Black is his daywear but for gigs he'll don black eyeliner and black nail varnish. Apart from clothes and music, the difference between the groups is attitude, according to Kenny.

He points out a chav, swaggering through the square on the toes of his immaculate white trainers. "Most goths are so laid-back they are on their arse," he said. "If you go up to a chav and look at him wrong, he'll kick your head in."

A piercing scream cuts through the quiet of the countryside as a chav receives a buttfull of plastic ball bearings. The bonding between the two groups is proceeding apace and organisers swear that the teams have not simply divided down chav/goth lines.

But Mr Mayes admits there is one small problem: most of the goths were so laid-back they couldn't get up in time for the war games. Six cried off yesterday morning. "We've got more chavs than we have goths because they couldn't get out of bed," he said. "They've probably been smoking too much pot."

"Chris just unloaded a clip on me," yells one chav, clutching his backside in mock pain as he enters the "dead zone", where those who are shot during the game must recuperate for five minutes. "I shot you about five times, man," bragged another chav.

"They call me a chav," said Craig Jones, 22. He doesn't mind. "It's a bit of laugh. I think they mean Orton boy, which is an area in Peterborough which has graffiti all over the place so people think it's a bit dingy."

He finds the joy of the war game a welcome relief from the tedium of sitting in Cathedral Square. "I hang around with mates having a giggle, having a laugh. There's not much to do. Because we hang about in big groups separate from one another people think there's trouble and it's intimidating. With a big group of lads, grannies think they're going to rob their handbags."

But he insists that far from gang warfare, the chav-goth tension in Peterborough is like anywhere in the country, it is simply "friendly banter".

Mr Mayes says the voluntary scheme, in which chavs and goths pay a reduced rate subsidised by a local company, is not rewarding bad behaviour. Teenagers brandishing BB guns in town has been a problem, but the scheme teaches youngsters that the realistic-looking weapons hurt and should only be used in safe "game" situations.

"These guys here are well-behaved kids. All they've done is stand in large groups. They say: 'I hang about on the square because I haven't got anything else to do, innit?'"

Mr Mayes believes the games will give the two groups something to do and get them talking to each other. "It gets rid of that pent-up energy that teenagers don't seem to get rid of these days when they are sitting around on their Playstations and Xboxes," he said.

The council hopes a new spirit of mutual respect will extend to all their employees. As well as the orange-clad street wardens, there is even a council parking attendant sportingly allowing young chavs and goths to take pot shots at him. "When they see us now it's not going to be 'oh those bloody tango wardens'," said Mr Mayes. "They now know who I am."

Whether skinny goths can be persuaded out of their beds for some bracing outdoor activity with their chav foes remains to be seen. But the council wardens believe the airsoft games, which they hope to hold every half-term, will spread via word of mouth, bringing the two tribes together in war - and bringing peace to Cathedral Square.

"It's like football," said Denise Mee, another street warden. "You pick which team you belong to. But ultimately the chavs and the goths are the same sort of people, so the idea is to get them together. When they first came they were in little groups but already there's more togetherness."

Passionate Response

Finally we recieve a genuinely personal response. Special thanks to Mr Mattieson for pushing his MP on the issues and taking the time to bring this letter to our attention. It seems the Conservative Party oppose this section of the VCR Bill but unfortunately with the massive majority of the Labour part in the House of Commons there is alot more work ahead of us.

Dear Mr ******

Thank you for your letter of 28 July which puzzles me not a little. I have made it plain that I personally am wholly opposed to Labours proposed ban on replica weapons which would affect the Airsoft sport to a very significant degree. That is why I have written to Government Ministers about it.

However there is nothing local about this issue. It affects Airsoft operators across the nation and therefore hardly surprising that the response which I have had from Ministers is a standard one rather than individualised taking account of the circumstances of particular areas.

What you must remember is that the Labour Party form the Government in the United Kingdom and it is they who are bringing forward this absurd proposal, one to which we in the Conservative Party are wholly opposed. As your Member of Parliament you can rely on me to vote against it, speak against it, write to ministers about it and generally raise the absurdity of it in every way that I can. But you really must not think that I as an MP am some how to blame for the banning of these replica firearms. It is something to which I am entirely opposed and about which I spoke as long ago as eight years in my Maiden Speech.

You and I are wholly in agreement on the subject but I fear that the Labour Party, who currently are destroying large parts of the Britain that we love, are to blame for this particular absurdity.

Yours sincerely

James Gray

Please be aware these are taken directly from Emails I have received. I have not edited them in any way shape or form, please do not contact me regarding spelling or grammatical errors in these sections.

Airsoft in Wikipedia

The massively popular Online Encylopedia "Wikipedia" (www.wikipedia.org) has listed Airsoft as a sporting activity, the report does have some minor errors but the vast majority of the information provided is correct and very informative for members of the general public.

Read the Wikipedia Airsoft Entry HERE

Airsofting Coppers

Many of you Airsofters already know about the wide range of people playing Airsoft and the way Airsofting brings people from all walks of life together. Unfortunately many members of the public see all Airsofters as a bunch of bloody thirsty, war mad terrorists in-training.

This is not the case, in fact exactly the opposite, Airsoft is one of the only sports that bring all walks of life together. The Reason for this is simple.. Everyone looks the same wearing camouflage at an Airsoft site.

An article in the Hampshire Constabulary's "Frontline" magazine shows members of Hampshire's Police Force enjoying Airsoft as a great pastime to relieve the stresses of the weeks activities.

Airsoft not only brings all colours and creeds together, it i also a great form of outdoor exercise. The constant short distance sprinting, aerobic log-leaping and additional weight carried by the player gives even the fittest person a good all-round workout.

Read the article here (I have cut the back page from the magazine)
Read the Entire Magazine here

The government are worried about the state of obesity in the UK's population, yet they are just about to pass a law that will kill yet another perfectly good outdoor activity, that young people enjoy!

Answers to the Questions

With the massive amount of hits to the SaveAirsoft website thanks to the recent media coverage I have been flooded with Emails asking about Airsoft, the VCR Bill and what its all about.

I response I have quickly produced a set of simple Questions and Answers in order to help the public to better understand Airsoft and our campaign, no doubt there will be some minor mistakes so please if you notice any drop me an Email and I will correct them.

Check out the Questions & Answers HERE

NEVER GIVE UP!!

This is a personal request to ALL OF YOU Airsofters who love the sport and do not want to see the government strangle the supply of new equipment and new players until our hobby is destroyed...

KEEP CAMPAINING!!

As you can see from the responses I am getting we are making a huge difference! The media are taking notice of our plight, the VCR Bill Committee members are noticing that this small section of the VCR Bill will effect hundreds of thousands of people and are getting ready to listen.

PLEASE DO NOT STOP! If you have already written a letter to your MP, Write another one, Write to the Home office, Write to the House of Lords, Write to your local newspaper, invite the press to your local games site, Invite your local MP and his/her family to your local games site, contact celebrities and other high profile people. If you need help, contact me!

Keep campaigning and WE WILL SAVE OUR SPORT!

Hazel Blears again

As we continue to campaign to save the sport, we can now see the results of our hard work. Hazel Blears has strayed from the standard "I can assure you blah blah blah" letter and has started writing personal, constructive letters.

UKARA, the ABA and UKASGB are all working to get our voices heard by the VCR Bill Committee and hope to have an audience with the committee soon.

Notice that Mrs Blears actually admits that the laws are already in place for dealing with replica guns on the streets. The question we all what the answer to is "why are these new laws NEVER enforced?"

Thank you for your letter of 14th July on behalf of ******** ****, about the Violent Crime Reduction Bill.

I can assure you that the Government has no wish unnecessarily to interfere with the rights of legitimate owners of Airsoft or other replica firearms to enjoy their hobby. We do need to target those misguided people who regard replica weapons as fashion accessories or as tools to intimidate others.

For this reason, the Government has introduced, in the Anti-social Behavior Act 2003, a new offence of having an imitation firearm in a public place without a reasonable excuse. In context, carrying an Airsoft weapon to and from a skirmishing game would be a legitimate reason reason for having it in a public place would be taking a new one home from a dealer or taking one for repair.

The Government is currently studying the results of its wide-ranging consultation exercise as part of its overall review of the firearms legislation. The law relating to replica firearms forms part of the exercise, but it is too early at this stage to speculate on what, if any, changes might be thought necessary as a result. The overarching consideration behind any changes that might be made will be the safety of the public as a whole.

Hazel Blears MP

This MP will be sitting on the committee that will decide the fate of Airsoft within the UK. All correspondence with ALL the VCR Bill Committee members will be published on the Committee page.

Airsoft in the Media!

More good news for our campaign!

The Guardian Newspaper ran an article on page 9 of their national newspaper showing the plight of Airsoft. The media seem to be sitting on the fence at the moment, however ANY press is good press for our cause.

Click the image below to view the online article.

I have already started receiving abusive Emails from anti-gun campaigners and I can assure you I will answer every one of them individually.

If you notice any Airsoft related press in your local, or national newspapers please contact me

More Positive Press

More positive press has been bought to light. Justin Williams have contacted his local paper after an incident in his local town. The paper shows Airsoft as a sport for men and women of all ages and that it can be good clean fun for all involved.

Click the image to the left to enlarge the article.

Special thanks to Justin for bringing this to our attention. Excellent Work!

Local newspapers and other local media sources made be the key to educating the general public about the sport of Airsoft.

If you have contacts with your local newspaper, magazine, radio or TV outlets please try to get them involved in our campaign.

VCR Committee Response

Another response from Hazel Blears, this one is a little more constructive. Special thanks to Mark to writing the letter that prompted this response. If you would like to read Marks letter I have posted it in the Committee page of this website.

Thank you for your letter of 15 July on behalf of Mr Mark Lomas of [address removed] about the Violent Crime Reduction Bill.

As Mr Lomas says, the Bill contains scope for exceptions and exemptions in order to ensure that the law will work in a way which allows for certain genuine interests and needs. The Home Office will be consulting stakeholders in due course about this but you will appreciate that the case for any exemptions will need to be strongly made and capable of operating without undermining the central purpose of the ban.

We have already received a number of submissions both from individuals and from interested organisation's. These will form part of the consultation exercise and I am arranging for Mr Lomas' letter to be included as part of that process.

Hazel Blears MP

This MP will be sitting on the committee that will decide the fate of Airsoft within the UK. All correspondence with ALL the VCR Bill Committee members will be published on the Committee page.

VCR Committee Response

Another committee member has taken the time to respond, Mr McCabe seems to be reading from the same page as most Airsofters. With calling for stricter punishment for gun related crime, restricting the sale of guns while keeping the sport alive. With any luck the other committee members will think along the same lines as Mr. McCabe

Thank you for email.

This Bill won't reach committee stage until after the summer recess. I have asked to go onto committee but as yet I don't know if that will happen.

I, as you may know, have argued for restriction on imitation and replica weapons and have taken quite a tough line on guns and crime. However I have no problem with legitimate sports which are properly supervised.

I'll confess that I know next to nothing about airsoft as a sport. If you'd care to send me some,information, I promise to look at it and if there are specific parts of the proposed legislation which you think poses a treat to this business/sport - please let me have some details.

Best wishes

Steve McCabe

This MP will be sitting on the committee that will decide the fate of Airsoft within the UK. All correspondence with ALL the VCR Bill Committee members will be published on the Committee page.

VCR Committee Uneducated

I received this Email a week or so ago and have only just had time to publish this news, sorry for the delay but now we know more about the VCR Committee it makes more sense.

The following Emails have been sent by one of our supports to the VCR Bill Committee member Jeremy Wright. By Mr Wrights own admission he knows nothing about the subject matter, yet he still has the power to ban the products we use to enjoy our sport. Read on if you can believe this.

Mr Jones answered our plea and took it upon himself to contact his local MP Mr Jeremy Wright. Upon receiving Mr Wrights reply (a standard "party" response) Mr Jones refused to give up, contacting his MP a second time. Below is the correspondence:

Dear Mr Wright,

I'm a little disappointed to have found out that the letter you sent me on the 20th Junes 2005 seems to be a "Copy & Paste".

The airsoft community have set up a website ( index.shtml/ ) where there is a petition / news / information / etc / etc. and some letters are being posted from MP`s. ( index.shtml/news.shtml ).

I was AMAZED that a letter posted by the MP for Mid Sussex ( Nicholas Soames) not only bore a striking resemblance to your but was in fact a EXACT COPY?? I was hoping to receive a PERSONAL reply from my MP not something that's seems to have been taken from some computer data base or at best copied from over someone's shoulder.

Yours very disillusioned

Mr Wright replied with the following:

Dear Mr Jones,

Thank you for your email and I do apologise if you feel disillusioned. Whilst the letter that you received was based on a letter that was written by that Shadow Home Secretary, may I assure you that I fully agree with the content of that letter.

As I am sure you will appreciate, I receive hundreds of letters every week on a whole host of different subjects and it is imperative that, on subjects that I do not have the correct expertise to respond in full, I seek the relevant advice to enable me to respond to my constituents.

Yours sincerely,

Jeremy Wright

This MP will be sitting on the very committee that will decide the fate of Airsoft within the UK. All correspondence with ALL the VCR Bill Committee members will be published on the Committee page.

Special thanks to Mr Jones for taking the time both to write to his MP and for bringing this to my attention.

Hazel Blears Standard Letter

OK guys, after dealing with all your Emails and doing my best to publish all the MP's responses, one particular letter have popped up almost every time, I will publish it here but im sure you will have a copy sitting on your desk or recently thrown in the bin.

This is the standard response from the Home Office and it shows that, as it stands at the moment, the Home Office are not interested in the plight of the honest people of the UK, all they care about is passing this knee-jerk Bill as fast and as quickly as possible before the general public realise they have lost yet another bit of their freedom.

Dear [Whoever], (normally written not typed)

Thank you for your letter of [Date] to [MPs Name] about the violent Crime Reduction Bill. I am replying as the Minister with responsibility for firearms policy.

The Bill looks to ban the importation, manufacture and sale of realistic imitation firearms. It does not ban their possession and legitimate use. Those people owning such items when the ban takes effect will be able to keep and use their guns as before. Additionally, the ban does not extend to components so they will be able to maintain their weapons in good condition.

The purpose of the ban is to make realistic imitation firearms less readily available for criminals to misuse. It also seeks to increase the maximum penalty available to the courts for those people convicted of having an imitation firearm in a public place without a reasonable excuse. This sends a powerful message to those people who would misuse replica firearms that such behaviour in not to be tolerated.

Yours Sincerely

Hazel Blears MP

If you receive this letter or any of its many varients please DO NOT ACCEPT IT AS AN ANSWER! This letter is a standard letter from a member of the VCR Bill has isnt even trying to understand how this will effect thousands of peoples pssstimes! Please respond to your MP explaining this situation and urge him/her to contact Hazel Blears a second time!

The last line of this letter says it all : " This sends a powerful message to those people who would misuse replica firearms that such behaviour in not to be tolerated. "

What they are saying is "We dont care about the honest hard working members of the public who use these guns for their own recreation time, we just need to make our crime figures look better"

The situation is not that we will not be able to use the guns we already have, its about introducing new blood to the outdoor recreational sport of Airsofting. Under the new VCR Bill it will become impossible to introduce new players to the sport, becuase they will have nothing to play the games with.

Contact from the BBC

I have received a response from the BBC from Richard over at Close Action Airsoft. I though it might be nice to post their response seeing as its very rare that the BBC report anything positive these days...

Dear Richard,

Thank you for your e-mail.

I appreciate that you have taken the time to contact the BBC to express your delight at the story featured regarding the sport airsoft on the BBC website.

For further information regarding the campaign to protect this hobby then please refer to the below website:

http://saveairsoft.org

Please note that the BBC cannot accept responsibility for external sites such as this.

I hope you find this information useful and thank you again for contacting the BBC.

Finally, I have attached an invitation, from our Head of Customer Services, asking you to participate in our customer survey. We would welcome your views on our service.

Regards

Terry Coyle
BBC Information

VCR Committee

Following the announcment of the VCR Bill committee members, I have listed the members of this committee including pictures, their Email addresses if they have them and replies if we have recieved them.

if you fall into the constituancy of ANY of the committee members we urge you to take the time to contact them ASAP, if you have already made contact with your MP, do it again! These 23 people will ultimately decide the fate of Airsoft within the UK.

GOTO THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS PAGE

VCR Committee Named

Finally, the Home Office have released the names of the MPs that will be sitting on the committee to decide the future of the VCR Bill and Airsoft within the UK.

The date of the first meeting is set for Thursday 13th October and the following MPs will deliberate the future of all shooting sports within the UK:

Chairmen: Mr Joe Benton and Mr Eric Forth

Ms Diane Abbott	Hazel Blears	Kevin Brennan	Ms Dawn Butler
Mr James Clappison	Rosie Cooper	Mr Jonathan Djanogly	Lynne Featherstone
Stewart Hosie	Mr Kevan Jones	Ms Sally Keeble	Steve McCabe
Mr Humfrey Malins	Mr Mark Oaten	Stephen Pound	Mr Mark Prisk
Mark Pritchard	Chris Ruane	Jim Sheridan	Lynda Waltho
Jeremy Wright

BBC Report for Airsoft

Sorry for the lack of news here recently, I have been working hard at the War & Peace show in Kent, Both Airsoft Dynamics and Airsoft Armory were in attendance and all in all the show was a great success.

However, the rage started building at the event when I went to have a little look around, I knew I would find at least 1 money-grabbing, underhanded market trader trying to sell his sub-standard BB guns to anyone walking by but what I discovered went beyond a joke!

stall after stall filled to the brim with the dirtiest, cheapest spring powered BB guns! I watched in disbelief as the market traders aggressive sales techniques progressed to pulling children out of the isles and into their stall, pressuring them to buy.

No age verification and no concern for what that gun might be used for! I turned away in disgust. It is these people the government need to stop! Not us legitimate users of Airsoft products.

I would like to point out that while at the War & Peace show both of the REAL Airsoft Retailers upheld the UKARA principles and went to the show to promote Airsoft as a sport.

Some Good News!

OK after my little rant I have some good news for you all! Airsoft has been featured on the BBC News website! Greg Smith has reported on the plight of the Airsofters and has published an article. Read it by following this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4686161.stm

Finally apologies for the lack of news, I will publish all your MP letters and give you all the latest information within the next few days. Thanks for all your Emails, keep them coming!

James Smith
SaveAirsoft.org

Good News

Heres a little bit of good news from an MP, it seems the Home Office is considering ways to work in an exception for Airsoft into the VCR Bill, the following MPs letter is only short but things are looking hopeful!

Dear Ms *******,

Thank you for your E-Mail regarding the Violent Crime Reduction Bill. I understand that there are concerns about this bill being over-draconian, and leading to the banning of paintball, airsoft and re-enactment type weapons. I have been contacted by the Home Office about this issue, and they say that they are considering a case for the exemption
of these types of weapons from the bill.

Yours Sincerely,

Joe Usher,
Researcher to Andrew Slaughter MP

MPs Letters

Its getting harder and harder to find MPs willing to write their own words instead of using the standard party response, However, please keep sending your MPs letters, I read them all and publish the individual ones.

Dear Mr *****

Thank you for your letter about the use of guns in sport and more specifically in your hobbies of making models and taking part in science fiction conventions.

I believe that the Government will need to be extremely careful in the wording of the bill in order that hobbies and pursuits such as yours will not be effected unnecessarily. I am in favour of some imitation firearms being banned in order that crime is effectively reduced, but find it ludicrous that the scope for banning imitation firearms is so broad as the bill stands in its current state, that your hobbies may be effected.

I will be following the progress of this bill very closely, particularly in its committee stages, where the definition for imitation firearms to be covered in it will be tightened up.

Should you have any further concerns you would like to to raise on your behalf in the meantime, then do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Nick Harvey
MP for North Devon

The Nazi Government?

I have recieved a rather eye-opening Emaill from a devote Airsofter in Italy, please read and make up your own mind.

I thought you would find it curious that Italy has also reacted to the increase in crime and terrorism by adopting a Firearms Bill that, if passe into law, will liberalise the detention and use of firearms by private citizens.

Because of increased street crime, house break-ins (with the occupants present) and terrorism the Italian Government has decided to liberalise the very restrictive Italian Gun Laws. Italians will be able to buy virtually any weapon (except full auto), in any quantity and detain any quantity of ammunition.

Also, the new law would allow people to use their firearms in self-defence without the provision of "proportion"; that the defensive response be in proportion the assailants weapons/deadly intentions. Simply stating, "Stop or I will shoot" will be enough!

By the way, the restrictive gun laws that this Bill intends to abrogate were introduced by Mussolini in 1921. The Fascists disarmed the population in order to increase their power; Hitler adopted a similar law.

Monday Morning MPs

Another week has started and the fight to save Airsoft continues,

However there is not much to read that you havent already read, mainly because MPs seem to have drafted a standard letter thinking that this will palm us off. We are therefore requesting that you step-up the campain!

If anyone recieves a "standardised" response we urge you to contact your MP again asking for HIS or HER opinion and NOT their signature on a bit of paper that they probably havent even read!

Here are some responses from MPs that are not standard responses or have additional points of interest.

Dear Mr *********

Thank you for your recent letter, I apologise for the delay in responding. I have taken up your concerns with the relevant Minister and will contact you as soon as I receive a response.

With regard to air weapons, I am concerned that these are highly dangerous and can be adapted to make them even more lethal. I believe air weapons should be subject to a licensing regime along with other fire arms and have pressed for this.

Thank you for writing to me

JOHN AUSTIN MP

Dear Mr *****,

Many thanks for getting in touch. You make a very strong case for not allowing the Airsoft Lobby to fall victim to provisions about immitation and replica weapons in the violent Crime Reduction Bill.

As you know, there is a real problem about the rise in the use of imitation and replica weapons in crime, and it is right that the Government should respond to this. However it is also right to try to protect those engaged in legitimate hobbies, if this can be done sensibly.

I shall take this matter up with the Home Office, and hope this will prove helpful.

Yours sincerely

Dr Tony Wright MP

Dear Mr. ******,

Thank you very much for your letter concerning the Violent Crime Reduction Bill and imitation firearms.

I think it is obvious that this BIll fails to address the real problems we face in this country with violent crime. It will do little to address appallingly low detection rates, insufficient prosecutions, an inefficient court system and a lack of harsh sentences.

Turning to the points you raise in your letter, it does indeed seem that many of the provisions in the Bill will end up penalising the law-abiding majority. There are already laws in place to deal with the use of firearms in public places (offences which should attract heavy sentences). In the case of Airsoft, the Bill will criminalise hundreds of law-abiding people who supply the guns for the game, whilst doing nothing to affect the conduct of those with intent to commit crimes.

Your idea of a license is an interesting one and would seem to be a solution to the current Bill although one must bear in mind that, as with much of the firearm legislation, licensing or banning firearms or the sale thereof actually has little or no effect on crime rates because those who want firearms or replicas to commit crime can easily do so through illigal means.

I will press the Government on its definition of "realistic imitation firearms". In so doing, I will do what i can to make sure the concerns you have expressed are fully raised as the Bill passes through Parliament.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me, if you have any other problems or queries please do not hesitate to be in touch

Yours sincerely,

Grant Shapps MP

Dear Mr *****

Thank you very much for your email of the 14 th June 2005. As you know the Bill has now received its Second Reading and goes to Committee for amendment. The issue of Airsoft was raised during the course of the debate and the Secretary of State indicated that he was well aware of the serious concerns that have been expressed on this matter.

Although I will not be on the Standing Committee of the Bill, I am personally in favour of reasonable exceptions being drafted into the Act in order to enable responsible sports such as your own, provided, of course that the “guns” do not contravene the provisions relating to imitation or replica firearms.

Yours Sincerely

Bob Marshall-Andrews

Dear *****

Thank you very much for contacting me about the Violent Crime Reduction Bill and imitation firearms. I believe that this Bill fails to address the real problems of violent crime that we face in this country. It will do nothing to address very low detection rates, insufficient prosecutions, an inefficient court system and lenient sentencing.

We already have laws on the Statue Book to combat the use of guns, knives and alcohol-related disorder. The Government should make better use of them instead of seeking to introduce more legislation. I do not think that this new Bill will add anything of substance to the existing legislative framework.

I note the comments you have made. You are quite right. It seems that many of the provisions in the Bill, in its present form, will end up penalising the law-abiding majority. There are already laws in place to deal with the use of firearms in public places (offences which should attract heavy sentences). In the case of Airsoft, the Bill will actually criminalise thousands of law-abiding people, whilst doing nothing whatsoever to affect the conduct of those with intent to commit crimes.

For these reasons, my Conservative colleagues and I will press the Government on its definition of ‘realistic imitation firearm'. In doing so, we will do what we can to make sure that the concerns you have expressed are raised fully as the Bill passes through Parliament.

I am writing to the Minister on your behalf to make sure that the government is aware of your views. As soon as I receive a reply I shall, of course, be in touch with you again

Yours Sincerely

Philip Dunne

MP for Ludlow

UKARA Statement

Sorry for the delay but UKARA have release the following brief.

The following briefing has been issued by UKARA to the media and to Members of Parliament

Violent Crime Reduction Bill
A UKARA Response

On Wednesday 8th June 2005, the Government published its Violent Crime Reduction Bill (VCRB). Within the provisions of the Bill were contained specific measures to target the misuse of realistic imitation firearms (RIFs).

The United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association (UKARA) fully supports the Bill's aim of restricting the availability of RIFs. However, if Section 30 of the Bill, which prohibits the sale, import or manufacture of RIFs, is passed without any exemption, the result will be as follows:

• UK-based retailers will be forced out of business
• Legitimate uses, such as Airsoft action sport and modern war re-enactment will cease.
• Trade links between the UK and China, where the majority of manufacturers and wholesalers are based, will be further damaged

To further assist the Government in meeting its aims, UKARA will ensure its members compliance with all relevant legislation, including age restrictions and the purchaser's membership of a legitimate organisation if mandated by Government.

The Association has approached the Home Secretary requesting an exemption under the terms of Section 30 (2) (a) of the Bill.

Background

The Government's explanatory notes to the Bill (BN10) very clearly set out the reasoning behind Section 30 of the VCR Bill; “In recent years imitation firearms have featured in an increasing number of crimes… Much of the problem involves young people misusing imitation firearms, including RIFs to threaten and intimidate…There is a range of existing offences and controls, however…[They] have not proved sufficient to halt this trend. The Government believes the problem needs to be tackled at source by restricting the sale of imitation firearms”.

UKARA agrees with the Government that further steps need to be taken to reduce the number of RIFs being misused in Britain today.

UKARA members service the growing pursuit of Airsoft within the UK. Briefly, Airsoft is an adventure sport similar to paintball. It differs significantly in its participants' use of realistic Airsoft imitation firearms which fire 6mm or 8mm polymer/plastic ‘bullet balls', often erroneously referred to in the media as “BBs”. Airsoft guns are only similar to real firearms by the fact that they are replicas and cannot be converted to fire live explosive ammunition. Many of UKARA's members already operate a voluntary age restriction of 18 years in recognition of the responsibility which ownership of RIFs carries with it. Approximately 10,000 people airsoft in the UK on a regular basis.

While the VCRB does not prohibit the ownership of RIFs, the prohibition on import and sale will ultimately lead to the demise of the UK retail sector, reliant as it is on the sport continuing to grow and flourish. It will also affect the long-established trade links between the UK retailers and China, where the majority of airsoft equipment is manufactured and sourced.

The Association believes that by working closely with the Home Office, it can make a significant contribution to the reduction and control of imitation firearms within the United Kingdom, whilst at the same time allowing their legitimate use to continue, and the sport of Airsoft to flourish.

More MP Response

Although the Members of Parliament are using more and more standard letters I will continue to publish them. Keep writing, hopefully the government will get sick of replying to these letters and start listening to us!

Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to write to their MP the entire Airsoft community appreciate your efforts.

Dear *****,

Thank you very much for your recent email about the Violent Crime Reduction Bill and imitation firearms.

May I say at the outset that, in my view, this Bill fails to address the real problems we face and this country with violent crime. It will do nothing to address appallingly low detection rate, insufficient prosecutions, an inefficient court system and a lack of harsh sentences. It will also do nothing to make better use of many laws which already exist to combat guns, knives and alcohol-related disorder.

Turning to the points you raised about imitation firearms, it does indeed seem that many of the provisions in the Bill will end up penalising the law-abiding majority. There are already laws in place, for example, to deal with the use of firearms in public places (offences which attract heavy sentences). In the case of Airsoft, the Bill will actually criminalise millions of law-abiding people, whilst doing nothing to affect the conduct of those with intent to commit crimes.

Thank you for taking the time to write to me.

Yours Sincerely

Rt Hon. Francis Maude

Dear Mr *******,

Thank you for your email on 16 June briefing me on the airsoft issue.

This was not an area i was previously familiar with, and i quite understand why you are concerned that this would remove your ability to participate in a law-abiding sport.

I will take a close interest in this when the Bill comes before Parliament and discuss it with our frontbench Home Affairs team to see if it is possible to find a way to deal with your concerns.

Once again, many thanks for writing.

With best wishes

Greg Clarke MP

Dear *****,

Thank you very much for your recent email about the Violent Crime Reduction Bill and imitation firearms.

For these reasons, my Conservative colleagues and I will press the Government on its definition of "realistic imitation firearms". In so doing we will do what we can to make sure the concerns you have expressed are fully raised as the Bill passes through Parliament.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me.

Yours Sincerely

Hugo Swire M.P

Monday Morning News

Monday morning again and yet more news from all you hard working Airsofters who have been busy campaining to save our sport.. But first I must appologise, There was a slight error while posting the "Human Rights" news, the reply to the letter regarding human rights has NOT YET BEEN RECIEVED. The MP letter was in response to another letter sent by the same Airsofter. Appologies for the mix-up.

Anyway, I have moved the MP resonpse to the bottom of the latest news, Reading more MP responses here below..

Dear *********

Thank you for your recent email, about the implications of the Violent Crime Reduction Bill for airsofting activities.

I enclose a copy of the second reading of the bill which was heard in the House of Commons yesterday. As you will see, the home secretary responded specifically to concern expressed by one of his backbenchers about how plans to limit the use of replica guns will affect those who enjoy the sport of airsofting (Column 554) He stated that:

"We have accepted that a total ban on the possession of imitation firearms is impractical for a variety of reasons, which is why we propose to double the penalty for possessing an imitation firearm in a public place without resonable excuse" (Col: 554)

He went on to say:

"Where a legitimate case may be made for a certain use-I emphasis the word 'may' so we set out in the clause 32 the power for the secretary of state to regulate exemptions in such circumstances. I will listen to such representations, but those representations would have to make a very powerful case for a certain exemption. That is the criteria I would use" (Col: 555)

Whilst I understand the need to tackle the misuse of firearms and the brandishing of imitation firearms, often used recklessly by young people, I share your concern that those enjoying the sport of airsofting will be unfairly hit by the new measures. I will share your arguements with the home secretary and shall come back to you once I have further information.

Anthony Steen MP for Totnes

Dear Mr *******

Thank you very much for your letter of the 14th June regarding the proposed
new fire arms legislation and the effect it will have on Airsoft players.

I am grateful to you for writing on this important issue and confirm that,
having received similar letters from other concerned constituents, I am
currently in correspondence with the Minister responsible at the Home Office
and will ensure you are sent a copy of the reply as soon as it is received.

My thanks, again, for taking the time to write.

You sincerely,

Michael Fabricant.

Dear Mr *****

Thank you for your email of the 15th June regarding the proposed legislation concerning replica firearms, as outlined in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill.

I agree with you that the proposed changes are a major concern, and I have written to Charles Clarke MP, Secretary of State for Home Affairs, asking for his comments on this. I will be back in touch as soon as I receive a reply.

Yours sincerely

David Laws MP
(Liberal Democrat)

Dear Mr ****,

Thankyou for your e-mail and fax regarding the Violent Crime Reduction Bill
and imitation firearms.

I believe this Bill fails to address the real problems we face in this
country with violent crime. It will do nothing to address appallingly low
detection rates, insufficient prosecutions, and inefficient court system and
a lack of harsh sentences. It will also do nothing to make better use of the
many laws which already exist to combat guns, knives and alcohol-related
disorder.

It does indeed seem that many of the provisions in the Bill will end up
penalising the law-abiding majority. There are already laws in place, for
example to deal with the use of firearms in public places (offences which
should attract heavy sentences). In the case of Airsoft, the Bill will
actually criminalise millions of law-abiding people, whilst doing nothing to
affect the conduct of those with intent to commit crimes.

For these reasons, my Conservative colleagues and I will press the
Government on its definition of 'realistic imitation firearms'. In so doing,
we will do what we can to make sure the concerns you have expressed are
fully raised as the Bill passes through Parliament.

Yours sincerely,

Damian Green

Dear Mr. ****,

Thank you very much for your letter regarding your concerns over the proposed ban on the sale, import and maunfacture of replica firearms.

I think the best thing I can do to help is to write on your behalf to the Rt Hon Charles Clark MP, Secretary of State for the Home Department, for his comments and I will forward his reply to you as soon as I receive it. But, in the meantime, if there is anything else I can do to help, please do not hesitate to contact me.

With all good wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Janet Anderson

Dear Mr ***,

Thank you for your email regarding the proposals for changes in the law on
firearms.

I can understand your concerns. Although i am very much in favour on a
clampdown on replica guns, and airguns in general, it certainly not be my
wish to see legitimate sports affected in this way.

I will certainly take account of your views when persuing this matter in
parliament. I will also ensure that the Home secretary is aware of your
views, and will ask him to let me know if he will take this issue into
account when considering whether or not to amend the bill as it proceeds
through parliament.

Thank you for writing to me with your concerns.

Yours sincerely

Mark Lazarowicz

dear ******

thank you for your e-mail regarding the violent crime reduction bill and
imitation firearms.

i believe this bill fails to address the real problems we face in this
country with voilent crime.it will do nothing to address appallingly low
detection rates, insufficant prosecutions, an inefficient court system and a
lack of harsh sentences.it will also do nothing to make better use of the
many laws which already exist to combat guns,knives and alcohol-related
disorder.

it does indeed seem that many of the provisionsin this bill will end up
penalising the law-abiding majority.there are already laws in place, for
example, to deal with the use of firearms in publiic places (offences which
sould attract heavy sentences).in the case of airsoft, the bill will
actually criminallise millions of law-adibing people, whilst doing nothing
to affect the conduct of those with intent to commit crimes.

for these reasons, my conservative colleagues and i will press the
government on its definition of `realist imitation firearms`. in so doing,we
will do what we can to make sure the concerns you have expressed are fully
raised as the bill passes through parliament.

yours sincerely

damian green

Reference: T20977/5

Dear Mr *******,

Thank you for your message of 20 June to Hazel Blears about the Violent Crime Reduction Bill. I have been asked to reply.

The Bill contains scope for exceptions and amendments to be made by Statutory Instrument to the general ban on the importation, manufacture and sale of realistic imitation firearms. The Home Office will be consulting with stakeholders in due course and your paper will be included in the responses to be studied.

Keith Bottomley

Firearms Section, POPCU.

Dear Mr *****,
I have pleausre in enclosing a copy letter from the Home Office in repsonse to your concerns over firearms matters.

The letter is self explanatory and I trust that it addresses your concerns. If I can be of further help please do not hesitate to conact me.

Yours sincerely

Malcolm Moss MP

Thank you for your letter of 9 June to Hazel Blears on behalf of [Name and Address Edited out] about the Violent Crime Reduction Bill. I am replying as the Minister with responsibility for firearms matters.
The Bill was published on 8 June and included measures to tackle the increasing problem of people misusing imitation firearms. Specifically, the Bill will make it an offence to:
• manufacture, import or sell realistic imitation firearms
• manufacture, import or modify imitation firearms that do not conform to specifications laid down by the Secretary of State
• sell any imitation firearm to a person aged under 18
In framing these measures we had regard to the many views submitted to us in response to our 2004 consultation paper entitled Controls on Firearms, which
drew attention to the problem of misuse of imitation firearms. Respondents were asked to say whether they thought imitations should be licensed or their sales restricted. Although the majority of those who commented were not in favour of a licensing regime and were against restricting sales, a third of those who expressed a view supported some controls, particularly of sales to young people.
There will be a power to make regulations to provide for exemptions to the offence of manufacturing, importing or selling realistic imitations. The Home Office will shortly be consulting stakeholders about what exemptions might to be allowed.

Hazel Blears MP

Dear Mr *********

Thank you very much for your letter dated 8th of June about the Violent Crime Reduction Bill and imitation firearms. I hope that I can continue to earn your support during this next term.

May i say from the outset that, in my view, this Bill fails to address the real problems we face in this country with violent crime. It will do nothing to address appallingly low detection rates, insufficient prosecutions, an inefficient court system and a lack of tough sentences. It will also do nothing to make better use of the many laws which already exist to combat guns, knives and alcohol-related disorder.

Turning to the points you raised in your letter, it does indeed seem that many of the provisions in the Bill will end up penalising the law-abiding majority. There are already laws in place, for example, to deal with the use of firearms in public places [offences which should attract heavy sentences]. In the case of Airsoft, the Bill will actually criminalise millions of law-abiding people, whilst doing nothing to affect the conduct of those with intent to commit crimes. Your description of the sport calls further into question why the current any Bill would seek to ban such a sport and hobby.

For these reasons, my Conservative colleagues and i will press the Government on its definition of "Realistic Imitation Firearms". In so doing, we will do what we can to make sure the concerns you have expressed are fully raised as the Bill passes through Parliament.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write to me. Please do contact me again if you wish me to pursue the matter further. I am always willing to do whatever i can to help.

John Bercow MP.

Many thanks for your e-mail of 10th June attaching the letter you wrote to the Prime Minister.

I agree with you that the Violent Crime Reduction Bill goes a great deal further than it should, and various hobbies or recreational pursuits, such as airsoft, will suffer because of this.

I am in favour of responsible self-regulation in regard to shooting sports, as I believe people should be trusted and given as much choice as possible. It is clear from their actions over the past eight years that Mr Blair's government does not agree.

Thank you again for raising this issue with me and please let me know what response you receive, if any.

James Duddridge MP

Old News in the Archive

Latest News

VCR Bill Committee 1st Sitting (13th October 2005)

VCR Bill Committee Proposed Ammendments (Not Yet Discussed)

VCR Bill Committee 1st Sitting
(13th October 2005)

VCR Bill Committee Proposed Ammendments
(Not Yet Discussed)