If you have been regularly showing up at the Airsoft Arms Fair, chances are, you have encountered the people from the United Kingdom Airsoft Players Union (UKAPU), an organisation that has proven to be resilient and increasing in membership ever since its founding. Under the leadership of Matt Furey-King, who is also the President of the European Airsoft Association, the UKAPU have chalked up victories for UK airsoft players --- providing assistance to members with their legal entanglements with authorities, and educating them how to become responsible airsoft players.

Right now, the UKAPU is working to clarify the gray areas on the "lethality" of airsoft guns since Matthew says that there are gray areas in this matter even as the FELWG issued a letter that the threshold limit be raised to 370 fps for .20 bbs and 520 fps for single shot airsoft guns. Apart from looking after the welfare of the airsoft players, the UKAPU is also concerned with the airsoft as a sport and hobby in general.  The organisation works closely with authorities, going up the chain of command if need be, if players encounter issues such as in their importation of airsoft guns, which having a valid VCRA Defence would allow one to import from outside the UK.

Yosser of Yosser's Airsoft Odyssey had an opportunity to talk to Matt at the Airsoft Arms Fair 5 ito discuss what the UKAPU does nowadays as an organisation looking after the welfare of airsoft players. Here's the full interview:

It is always valuable to be part of an organisation that is genuinely after our welfare. As airsoft players, the UKAPU is the organisation that we can run to. Airsoft players being organised would be able to harness the resources that could be devoted to helping airsoft players in knowing the law and avoiding getting into with authorities. As Matt said in the interview, they will be embarking on an education campaign for players to learn about the laws that affect airsoft, after all ignorance of the law is no excuse.

I wonder if the annual membership fee of £5 is enough to support the organisation in providing services to their members. Being a member of UKAPU gives one discounts at various skirmish sites and airsoft retailers that if one fully utilises these member benefits, they total more than the annual fee. The organisation has administrative and logistical costs. If players get into legal problems, legal assistance will also entail lawyers. But then a general assembly of members will decide such and the present fee really is a bargain. I just hope these fees are supplemented by other revenue areas such as merchandising, event registration fees or even some government support.

It is very much stressed the value of a players' union for airsoft. Airsoft will always encounter obstacles with the law due to the nature of the tools players use, guns that look like the real thing. There will be persons who will oppose the sport without understanding, and they may also have resources to block the growth of resources such as anti-crime groups who will decry that airsoft can also be used by criminals. A vigilant organisation representing airsoft players is always the answer since there's always strength in numbers.

If you encounter a UKAPU booth at an airsoft event such as the Airsoft Arms Fair, don't hesitate to approach them and better yet, sign-up, if you haven't done yet. For the Ground Zero National Airsoft Event this August, they'll be there and they would be willing to discuss about the organisation with you over a cuppa.