Is this ok? Can we use it somehow?

CrazyRabbit

Airsoft guns and their defintion under the law:

Link to the 2006 Criminal Justice Act of Ireland:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/acts/2006/A2606.pdf (Part 5, page 36)

The 2006 Criminal Justice Act altered the Firearms Acts in Ireland. According to the Firearms Acts, 1925-2006 as amended, a firearm is now defined as (at least in relation to airguns):

Quote:
"an air gun (including an air rifle and air pistol) with a muzzle energy greater than one joule or any other weapon incorporating a barrel from which any projectile can be discharged with such a muzzle energy"

Therefore, any airsoft gun with a muzzle energy of less than or equal to 1 joule is now legal in Ireland.
For an explanation of what exactly 1 joule means, please visit http://www.arniesairsoft.co.uk/?filnavn=//articles/fps_limits/fps_calc.htm


Illegal use of Airsoft guns:

Just as you would not brandish a real firearm in public, the same is true with airsoft guns. Be aware that brandishing a airsoft gun in a public place could lead to arrest for threatening behaviour, assault or other criminal offenses. Firing a airsoft gun at someone without their permission would most likely result in prosecution under current firearm laws. This could result in a lenghty prison sentence.

Many people are concerned about the use of airsoft guns in crimes. A criminal is a criminal and will use whatever means they can to break the law. Remember, airsoft guns are not dangerous, it is the people who use them irresponsible or in a criminal manner that are dangerous. Kitchen knives, hurleys, baseball bats, crowbars etc all have legitimate uses but can be lethal when used in an irresponsible or criminal way. If I were being robbed or assaulted, I would greatly prefer if it were done with an airsoft gun instead of a knife, firearm, baseball bat etc. At least the airsoft gun can't kill me!

When transporting your gun to and from a game carry it in a gun case or backpack. Not only is a gun case the safest means of transportation it also naturally protects your gun. Plastic bags or cloths are not suitable since the shape of the gun can be quite obvious and could cause fear among some members of the public which may lead to arrest.


Advice for parents:

Parents need to be aware that giving an airsoft gun to irresponsible children can put their child and other people in danger. Airsoft guns are not toys and should never be used by unsupervised children. Any child using a airsoft gun should first be taught how to handle and use it safely. While no legal age limit exists regarding using airsoft guns, it is recommended that younger children (<12 years) should not be allowed use them since they may not fully understand the dangers or safety requirements.


Airsoft Safety:

Never, ever, shoot at someone who is not wearing proper eye protection. Proper eye protection means eye goggles rated at least ANSI Z87.1 or paintball goggles. Military sun/dust/wind goggles, ski goggles, or shop goggles do not count as proper eye protection. Full face masks are recommended since they also provide protection to teeth.

The simplest rule to remember with airsoft guns is to treat them as real guns. An accidental discharge at close range to an unprotected person can have any number of damaging results including, but not limited too, broken teeth, damaged eyes and punctured eardrums.

Airsoft is not a dangerous sport as long as everyone playing understands and abides by the safety rules. When everyone follows the rules, airsoft is safer than paintball or other common sports such as soccer, rugby, hurling, and boxing.

After extensive research, it has been determined that no deaths from airsoft have ever been recorded. While serious ocular injury can occur, this is only possible when eye/face protection is not worn.


General information about Airsoft guns:

The speed at which airsoft bb's come out of airsoft guns is much slower than the speed that bb's are shot out of a traditional bb gun. Generally speaking, this lowered speed allows people to shoot at each other with airsoft guns quite safely. This however, is assuming that the correct safety equipment is being used.

Typical out-of-the-box airsoft guns shoot at ranges anywhere from 250 feet per second to 350 feet per second. The legal limit is based on the energy produced by the gun. The current legal limit is that the airsoft gun must fire the bb pellet with no more than 1 joule of energy. This equates to a .20 gram bb pellet traveling at 328 feet per second. Airsoft guns can be modified to be more powereful, but this would result in the airsoft gun being classed as a firearm and thus requiring a firearms licence. Airsoft guns modified like this should not be fired at other people.

For an explanation of what exactly 1 joule means, please visit http://www.arniesairsoft.co.uk/?filnavn=//articles/fps_limits/fps_calc.htm

If you are unsure of an airsoft gun's firing speed, you can buy a chronograph to measure the speed. Alternatively, most airsoft skirmish locations have a chrongraph that can be used free of charge for testing purposes.

For further information on the history of the sport and the type of Airsoft guns, please visit the following website : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft


References and related articles:

News story article reporting the dangers of unsupervised children using airsoft guns or lack of safety equipment.
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=local&id=3576532

Statement from opthamologist regarding eye injuries cause by airsoft. (most injuries do heal completely)
http://www.richmondeye.com/news00_11.asp

General airsoft safety and information.
http://www.airgundepot.com/airsoft-guns-safety.html

Airsoft Wikipedia entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft

2006 Criminal Justice Act of Ireland:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/acts/2006/A2606.pdf (Page 36)

Explanation of 1 Joule (including a relevant calculator)
http://www.arniesairsoft.co.uk/?filnavn=//articles/fps_limits/fps_calc.htm

MaxForce

Hey Rabbit,
That is great info. New people coming on to the forum should read this and reply to it with confirmation that the have read and understand it. We should also have a new persons section where new arrivals can go into and introduce themselvs you know age location level of expertise with airsoft and so on.

kdouglas

good work man

[--SC(+)PE--]

Great work

Waylander24

Nice work and thanks for posting it.

extremetaz

excellent summary of all the main points - well done!

ED E

Geat Stuff, keep this if we ever have any problems with reporters ect getting their facts wrong.

*....carlow nartionalist......:eek:

sidneyreilly

Just a couple of sugestions:

Illegal use of Airsoft guns:

Just as you would not brandish a firearm in public, the same is true with airsoft guns. Be aware that brandishing an airsoft gun in a public place could lead to arrest for threatening behaviour, assault or other criminal offenses. Firing a airsoft gun at someone without their permission would most likely result in prosecution under current firearm laws. This could result in up to 7 years prison sentence.

Many people are concerned about the use of airsoft guns in crimes. A criminal is a criminal and will use whatever means they can to break the law. Remember, airsoft guns are not dangerous, it is the people who use them irresponsible or in a criminal manner that are dangerous. Kitchen knives, hurleys, baseball bats, crowbars etc all have legitimate uses but can be lethal when used in an irresponsible or criminal way. At least the airsoft gun can't kill.

When transporting your gun to and from a game carry it in a gun case,slip or if pistol, original box in backpack/sportsbag (carriage of for instance ak 47 lookalikes in a backpack could be seen as concealment) Not only is a gun case the safest means of transportation it also naturally protects your gun. Plastic bags or cloths are not suitable since the shape of the gun can be quite obvious and could cause fear among some members of the public which may lead to arrest. Guns should also be transported with magazines out and unloaded thus proving that there is no Nefarious purpose.


Advice for parents:

Parents need to be aware that giving an airsoft gun to irresponsible children can put their child and other people in danger. Airsoft guns are not toys and should never be used by unsupervised children. Any child using a airsoft gun should first be taught how to handle and use it safely. While no legal age limit exists regarding using airsoft guns, it is recommended that younger children (<16 years) should not be allowed to possess them unsupervised. Parents may also not be fully aware of the safety protocols regarding airsoft equipment and should contact IAA before purchasing.


Airsoft Safety:

Never, ever, shoot at someone who is not wearing proper eye protection. Proper eye protection means eye goggles rated at least ANSI Z87.1 or paintball goggles. Military sun/dust/wind goggles, ski goggles, or shop goggles do not count as proper eye protection. Full face masks are recommended since they also provide protection to teeth.

The simplest rule to remember with airsoft guns is to treat them as real guns, when not actually engaged in playing point the muzzle in a sfe direction away from people even if unloaded ALWAYS TREAT ANY GUN AS IF IT WERE LOADED. An accidental discharge at close range to an unprotected person can have any number of damaging results including, but not limited too, broken teeth, damaged eyes and punctured eardrums.

Airsoft is not a dangerous sport as long as everyone playing understands and abides by the safety rules. When everyone follows the rules, airsoft is safer than paintball or other common sports such as soccer, rugby, hurling, and boxing.

After extensive research, it has been determined that no deaths from airsoft have ever been recorded. While serious ocular injury can occur, this is only possible when eye/face protection is not worn.


General information about Airsoft guns:

The speed at which airsoft bb's come out of airsoft guns is much slower than the speed that bb's are shot out of a traditional bb gun. Generally speaking, this lowered speed allows people to shoot at each other with airsoft guns quite safely. This however, is assuming that the correct safety equipment is being used.

Typical out-of-the-box airsoft guns shoot at ranges anywhere from 250 feet per second to 350 feet per second. The legal limit is based on the energy produced by the gun. The current legal limit is that the airsoft gun must fire the bb pellet with no more than 1 joule of energy. This equates to a .20 gram bb pellet traveling at 328 feet per second. Airsoft guns can be modified to be more powereful, but this would result in the airsoft gun being classed as a firearm and thus requiring a firearms licence. Airsoft guns modified like this should not be fired at other people.

For an explanation of what exactly 1 joule means, please visit http://www.arniesairsoft.co.uk/?filnavn=//articles/fps_limits/fps_calc.htm

If you are unsure of an airsoft gun's firing speed, you can buy a chronograph to measure the speed. Alternatively, most airsoft skirmish locations have a chrongraph that can be used free of charge for testing purposes.

For further information on the history of the sport and the type of Airsoft guns, please visit the following website : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft


References and related articles:

News story article reporting the dangers of unsupervised children using airsoft guns or lack of safety equipment.
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=local&id=3576532

Statement from opthamologist regarding eye injuries cause by airsoft. (most injuries do heal completely)
http://www.richmondeye.com/news00_11.asp

General airsoft safety and information.
http://www.airgundepot.com/airsoft-guns-safety.html

Airsoft Wikipedia entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft

2006 Criminal Justice Act of Ireland:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/acts/2006/A2606.pdf (Page 36)

Explanation of 1 Joule (including a relevant calculator)
http://www.arniesairsoft.co.uk/?filnavn=//articles/fps_limits/fps_calc.htm[/QUOTE]