Why is Airsoft illegal in Australia?

[Mr. J]

Military Simulation Airsoft is illegal because:

The weapons used in milsim games resemble real firearms (mainly assault rifles). The Australian government has already advised that they will not allow airsoft assault rifles replica's to be legalised.

Airsoft in general is illegal because:

It resembles a firearm, but there is no legal "reason" to own one, why?

You cannot hunt with airsoft
The general majority of the Australian licensed shooters community is against airsoft for target shooting

On the basis alone that it's prohibited because of appearance is a complete contradiction as to what else the government and police do allow already to be sold (Toy assault rifles/pistols at most markets and retail stores).

We are one of the few countries in the world that have banned Airsoft. We allow retailers to sell 1:1 scale plastic replica's of real firearms, however adding a few springs and a 6mm 0.12gram plastic pellet, you've got yourself a firearm.

Other reasons may come up, but the only substantial reason and the complete basis of the prohibition is the appearance.

This is my view after years of airsoft experience, talking with customs and police and the community. Many reasons have been brought up, however this is the only one that is holding us back and the only thing keeping us interested.

Mr. J

[CJ]

The way things are going regarding stricter laws, I'm seriously considering moving to another country lol... If our government cannot trust the Australian people with Airsoft guns which are barely more than spud guns, I see no reason to stay and be babied and sheltered...

[Mr. J]

Also I forgot the ridiculous reason of: modification may be required to bring them to a fully functioning live-firing state

[BigGameHunter]

Hi guys I was wondering if I can purchase a air soft gun because I have a category A and B firearms license, if it helps I'm in Melbourne Victoria.

[Big Red]

Sorry mate, even with a firearms license, they don't recognize any reason to own one.

[Arvardos]

So lame that it's illegal. I'm flying to NZ tomorrow and I'll be spending this sunday playing airsoft, I'll report back as best I can on how it's played and how best to explain to MPs over here about it

[BananaSmoothy]

A potential fix to the problem may be - if the government doesn't trust us - then the Airsoft guns could be kept by the the company/organisation as to limit people only to tournament use of the guns. If that isn't what they're worried about then I'm stuck for ideas

[Imhitalready]

One thing we have in the UK are two-tone guns, these are painted specifically so they are easily identifiable from real weapons and after 3 times you go to airsoft, you can get a UKARA license to buy the Realistic Imitation Firearms or RIFs

[CJ]

@Bananasmoothie:

There are a multitude of reasons why our government is a bit iffy on legalising Airsoft. Yes, the realistic look of the guns is one problem, the general public being allowed to own and use one.

A very big reason for Airsoft not being legal is, that no matter what rules we have in place, there is always going to be an idiot who ruins it for the rest of us by doing something stupid with an Airsoft firearm.

Now, we cannot stop that happening, but we can encourage our government to, in the event that it happens, double or even triple the fines and/or penalties for misusing Airsoft firearms.

Instead of a $500 on the spot fine for misusing an Airsoft firearm or an optional 1 month imprisonment.

Make it: $2000 on the spot fine and compulsory 2 month imprisonment, no bail.


If the penalties are severe enough, people will not do anything to incur them

Cheers for the reply

CJ

[nathanator2]

CJ i must agree with the harsh penalty's, i for one don't want to find out that someone was shot by police for wielding an Airsoft gun. and i don't want to see kids who think they know all about guns who played cod, shooting other kids in the face or picking on kids by shooting them. or even worse... bringing them to school. i think a permit that you just go to a police station to get would be good

[Reaper XIV]

@Bananasmoothie:

There are a multitude of reasons why our government is a bit iffy on legalising Airsoft. Yes, the realistic look of the guns is one problem, the general public being allowed to own and use one.

A very big reason for Airsoft not being legal is, that no matter what rules we have in place, there is always going to be an idiot who ruins it for the rest of us by doing something stupid with an Airsoft firearm.

Now, we cannot stop that happening, but we can encourage our government to, in the event that it happens, double or even triple the fines and/or penalties for misusing Airsoft firearms.

Instead of a $500 on the spot fine for misusing an Airsoft firearm or an optional 1 month imprisonment.

Make it: $2000 on the spot fine and compulsory 2 month imprisonment, no bail.


If the penalties are severe enough, people will not do anything to incur them

Cheers for the reply

CJ

   

You guys should try to have your government to reclassify Airsoft guns. As ether Toys like Canada or BB guns like Spain. Your first thing you guys should do is NOT REFER AIRSOFT GUNS AS "FIREARMS". Doing this will probably hurt your chances. Refer your airsoft guns as replicas instead.   

The AP community is really hard on this topic. We want are government to reclassify airsoft guns as BB guns. Due to the actions CJ described.

The hard reality is that the U.S government is tiring to reclassify them as "firearms".

Now I don't know how your government works, but I'm sure its not much different as the U.S. Try to set up a petition up and going.   

[PortuguesePlaymaker]

You guys should try to have your government to reclassify Airsoft guns. As ether Toys like Canada or BB guns like Spain. Your first thing you guys should do is NOT REFER AIRSOFT GUNS AS "FIREARMS". Doing this will probably hurt your chances. Refer your airsoft guns as replicas instead.   

+1

This is what I have been doing, both in airsoft and paintball. Replica, marker, tagger... any of those, try and steer clear of gun, firearm etc... It does make a difference when talking to people.

[CJ]

Tagger would be an appropriate name for them, but replica is definitely not, a "Replica" is a realistic version of a live-firing gun that has been rendered inoperable.

If Airsoft does get legalised, it will be classified as a weapon only, with an appropriate licence put in place. It will never be just a toy or BB gun in Australia, our government is pretty prudish when it comes to taboo subjects.

Cheers for the reply

CJ

[doukin]

The way things are going regarding stricter laws, I'm seriously considering moving to another country lol... If our government cannot trust the Australian people with Airsoft guns which are barely more than spud guns, I see no reason to stay and be babied and sheltered...

yeah LA or Bogota are looking good.
 what sort of difficulties would someone encounter opening an airsoft range, thereby providing a legit reason for owning for either milsim, sport shooting or airsoft based games?

[Wonkah12]

+1 on making high charges of misuse of airsoft taggers

I am really annoyed for the fact that we are not allowed to use these just for the strict firearm restrictions we have in place... I have no interest in owning a firearm... I just would like to play airsoft or use them for the other purpose I have in mind, movie props, neither of the above would be a problem as I live on a country farm and it is highly unlikely anyone but myself and my partner would even see the tagger.

Really, it just sucks that whenever we get a reward like this (having airsoft), no doubt some bright spark will misuse the taggers for a crime, or walk down a street with one... or un-educated kids who own the guns will decide it is a good idea to bring them to school for show and tell. I would also be happy if there was a separate license... an 'Airsoft' license, as this would probably also help in restricting airsoft laws if they are ever loosened to the point to where we can actually own the taggers :/