This is something to be welcomed by airsoft players in the UK who think the 328fps limits is just too low. Many airsoft field skirmish sites have been allowing a deviance of up to 350fps for full auto airsoft guns, and 500fps for single action ones. CQB sites still strictly enforce the 328fps/1joule limit. It is also  a clarificatio  for airsoft retailers, especially for the members of UKARA.

The efforts of Firesupport done on behalf of the United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association (UKARA) to have airsoft guns tested by the FELWG (Firearms & Explosives Licensing Working Group of the ACPO) to resolve issues of members having problems with the local police forces if they need to be registered firearms dealers (RFD) or not to sell certain products.

If an airsoft retailer goes over the existing threshold of "lethality" of 328fps at .20g then the airsoft gun is deemed to be covered under restricted firearms. The problem with many airsoft guns are the variances on the the velocity of airsoft guns, as these do not provide a consistent power as compared to other projectile firing devices such as real firearms and air guns. Thus, UKARA members are obliged to get RFD licenses in order to operate.

Firesupport provided the airsoft guns to be tested such as the Systema PTW and an upgraded Tokyo Marui G3 which fires at 600fps to the FELWG which sent these to the Forensic Science Service. 6 rounds of .20g bbs would be sufficient for the test. With the tests, it has been established that the lethality of airsoft guns are at 1.3 joules or 370fps at .20g bbs for automatic airsoft guns and 2.5 joules or 520fps for single-shot guns such as airsoft sniper rifles or pistols.

Going above such limits would make an airsoft gun a Section 5 firearm. They cannot be sold and considered illegal without proper police checks. It will be considered an air weapon.

Whilst these new limits would be a great relief to airsoft retailers and skirmish sites, it is still cautioned that they avoid going over such limits or skirt around the law to sell airsoft guns that go over the threshold. Skirmish sites can still set limits below these, especially for those who organise CQB games.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Marsh and the Chair of ACPO FELWG, have already sent the letter out to all firearms licensing managers for them to be aware of the new threshold and guide them accordingly.

The discussions of ACPO-FELWG letter regarding this is ongoing at the UK Airsoft Zone forums where you can participate and discuss your throughts about this. What also needs to be determined are the threshold levels at airsoft skirmish sites when airsoft players bring heavier BBs to play.

You can download the FELWG issued letter here.