Purchasing an Airsoft AEG - defences

RossG · 26 Sep 2009 at 10:11

Right, I'm off to The Mall airsoft site in Reading in November (and really looking forward to it

). I'll be borrowing one of my mates guns for this visit.
However, if I enjoy it, I intend to really get into the hobby and purchase my own AEG. I know lots of people who go and I haven't got an awful lot of hobbies at the moment.
Now the thing I am unclear on is all this UKARA malarkey. As I understand it, you don't actually need to be UKARA registered to buy an AEG, but have to provide a reasonable defence for purchasing one. If I was to go so an airsoft shop and try and purchase one, what kind of evidence would I realistically need? Do I take some sort of proof that I went airsofting at the mall, such as a booking form or signed document type thing? Or can I just go in to the shop and say "I'm a skirmisher. It will be used at airsoft sites only"?

Can anyone in the know here guide me, without having the jump through all the hoops for UKARA membership?

RossG · 26 Sep 2009 at 10:24

Don't think I'd enjoy running round with a bright green AEG though

.
From what I've read from a few old threads on here, UKARA has absolutley no legal power whatsoever. It was created by a few airsoft retailers to try and making buying an airsoft gun fall in line more clearly with the new laws or something. I want to avoid UKARA since going skirmishing several times over a couple of months just isn't going to be possible all the time. We are all working or studying so getting a date together for all of us to go is hard.

RossG · 26 Sep 2009 at 11:35

Was thinking about a TM AK-47 when I do buy. Reviews seem good. Not that expensive to buy and apparently very reliable. Anyway, I'll try and have a chat with the guys at The Mall and see what they have to say about the best way of doing it. I don't mind too much going for UKARA, it's just it'll be tough for us to go 3 times in 2 months.

RossG · 26 Sep 2009 at 11:50

Ahh. That'll make things easier then. In that case, how will I be able to prove to UKARA that I've been? Do I get a signed note from the airsoft site owners each time I go or something?
As for which airsoft gun to get, well I guess I've got quite a bit of time to look around. I'll spend some time on Arniesairsoft forums. Seems to be the best place to get info and reviews. That cm.031 does look qutie tasty actually.

RossG · 26 Sep 2009 at 12:46

My mates all bought their guns before the imitations firearm law was introduced. I don't know if any are UKARA registered. I know none of them have gone for about a year or so. This is something of a revival.
So, when I go to a site, they will add me as a member and then log how many times I come and after 3 are fulfilled I can apply for UKARA membership through the site? Sound right?

RossG · 26 Sep 2009 at 17:45

Well I have barely any kit at only, only some army surplus gear, so I don't think they'll look at me and think "skirmisher" right away. I'll just go the UKARA route seems the most stress free option in the long run.