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Rattling the Tigers Cage!

VCRA Reboot

Reporter: Yosser







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How to Kill UK Airsoft - A Guide



So what would you say about a leading UK airsoft retailer and leading light in the formation of UKARA daring to suggest that airsoft weapons in the UK come under the SAME rules and restrictions as REAL DEAL firearms?



This is just one of the proposals put forward in correspondence Airsoft Odyssey has kindly been passed by our intelligence sources. What is being outlined to the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) , Home Office and anyone else that will listen is that ONLY RFD’s (Registered Firearms Dealers) be able to sell RIF’s.



The full suggestions sent to the Home Office include:





All RIFs should be sold through Air weapon RFDs, (at least 50% of UKARA retailers are already RFDs)

RIFs to be sold to 18 and over only

Only Air weapon RFDs should be allowed to import RIFs

No restrictions on posting RIFs

2nd hand sales only through Air weapon RFD monitored resources.

This of course will potentially put an end to UKARA – a coffin that is being nailed shut by some of its own members, Zero-One selling via their Festival Wristbands! And NOW FireSupports own Frank making these proposals by rattling the tigers cage that doesn’t need to be disturbed.



UKARA have been quick to distance themselves from the representations made by Firesupports Frank Bothamley by writing to its membership and outlining its stance. Frank appears to have gone to ACPO and HO and may have given the impression that he was representing UK airsoft (via UKARA?) and asking to be involved in any VCRA update process. He is now hoping for the consultation process to begin, especially now that ACPO have essentially ruled VCRA unenforceable and have tried to palm it off to local trading standards organisations. The Home Office are of course now looking into what can now be done to make the law enforceable and simpler.



Plenty of UKARA members are now asking for FULL consultation and an emergency meeting to discuss what is happening as this is likely to put many of them effectively out of business if it where acted upon. Some are even expressing votes of no confidence in the current committee and asking for radical reform of the organisation.



So if Frank’s proposals (backed by SOME UKARA members) where to be adopted what would the effects for UK airsofters be?

Imagine the New world Order for UK Airsoft:



NO internet sales – no small internet only retailers

NO private importing RIFs/airsoft

Travelling distances across country to buy airsoft weapons IN PERSON

NO secondhand sales – all those forums and retailers out of business - less choice for players

Price control and huge price rises by a ‘CARTEL’ controlling UK airsofting

Scary stuff – you couldn’t make this stuff up – only in UK airsoft!

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