Owning Replica Guns

#Smokey#

Just wondered if its legal to own replica guns.For Gun Enthusiasts as they are hardly getting a licence for an assault rifle/grenade launcher etc.
I know brandishing one in public is an offence and carrying one in public is too but is possession illegal also?

tvnutz

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=830

tuxy

Not sure on this one.
Some of the airsoft guns look fairly real and they are perfectly legal once it doesn't break the 1 joule rule.

#Smokey#

I was thinking of buying an AK47 Replica as the gun just fascinates me and an M4 is too expensive thats if they are legal of course and i can find a place that sells them

tuxy

Sounds like you are talking about deactivaed real(not replica) guns?
If thats the case someone on the shooting forum ( under sports ) can probably help you

ironictoaster

My 13 year old cousin, Came home from Bulgaria last Sunday with handgun and shotgun...Kinda shocked at that.

Never got the reason of getting replica guns to be honest.

#Smokey#

@tuxy: deactivated ones are about €400 i think.The replicas would do the same job would they not as deac's have the slide sealed i believe under the new code.

@creggy: i wonder how he got past airport security with those

tuxy

creggy wrote:

My 13 year old cousin, Came home from Bulgaria last Sunday with handgun and shotgun...Kinda shocked at that.

Why were you shocked?
Had he no interest in guns before visiting Bulgaria?

ironictoaster

The fact got through Dublin Airport with Replica's guns. He didnt even get checked...JOKE

Nope, He got them as gifts for his brothers who think there John Rambo now

tuxy

Eurm, I would think he just put them in check in luggage.
Do you really think he got on-board with it on his person? :rolleyes:

ironictoaster

Yeah but still, i find very didgy though. Imagine if it was a real gun...

tuxy

creggy wrote:

Yeah but still, i find very didgy though. Imagine if it was a real gun...

Well if it was a real gun he still would have been prevented from hijacking a plane.

I think you should post on the shooting forum #Smokey# a lot of posters there have good knowledge of gun laws in this country. I would say the law for these is the same as people as people who have deactivated guns.

Terry

Moved from AH.
I'm not sure if this is the right place.
If not, feel free to throw it back.

sidneyreilly

Replica firearms perfectly legal to own without formality i.e. classed as toys and not covered by the firearms act. Carrying on around in pocket BAD though.

De-activated firearms are subject to authorization from local superintendent.

Sparks

Carrying on around in pocket BAD though.

Bad as in illegal in fact.

#Smokey#

Yes i knew that part already.So replica's are safe and legal then.
Does anyone know of any places where you can buy them?

And if i got a deactivated gun could i mod it as it if i got an M4 could i out an RIS rail on it etc or can replicas be customised

bullets

What do you actually want to do with them?

Is it important to you to strip them down or not?
and
Do you just want them for decoration or to hang on your wall ?

If ya want to be looking at tiny tiny details and poking around at internals
a de-act may be the way to go but it may be a small bit of hassle or expensive.
Take a look at these deactivated ones:
http://www.airsoftscotland.com/acatalog/Deactivated_Weapons_and_Inert_Goods.html

Going off topic for a wee minute but related to the post in some ways.........
If you want something that externally looks almost like the real thing
and can have a bit of fun customizing go got an airsoft toy.
I recently bought some and have more on the way because they
were cheap and looked nice and perfectly legal and there was no hassles with
the law and you did not have to beg the cops for letters of permission etc

I've recently purchased an M4's airsoft from eirsoft.ie
and a pistol that used gas to recock itself and fire
very very cheaply!!! I may add, if you take a look at this
thread and ask on the airsoft forums they may be helpfuly over thair
as some of the stuff is amazing looking.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055065511

~B

#Smokey#

Well I was planning on hanging one on my wall.I like the AK47 because it is the most durable AR i have seen.Field stripping isn't important for me its just an afterthought that i could add sights/silencers/GL's etc.I've looked at airsoft and they seem alright but i like all the tiny details and id like to be able to put inert rounds in a mag and cock it.
Also can replicas or new spec deacts be cocked?

bullets

I dont know about de-acts as I dont own one.
Have a replica pistol and it will also you to rack the slide,
load a mag with inert rounds but it wont chamber them as the chamber/barell
is either solid or blocked so I am guessing the same is true for the rifles too.

I dont know about Dublin
If you want an AK there are two places in Cork that will sell you
a hulking great heavy metal and wood replica. I dont think they are 100% full size
though. (80 Euros was the cost last time I saw one)

(You can also buy an airsoft and later buy real wood "furnature" to make
it heavier and more realsitic feeling)

Both Shops are in North Main Street in Cork.
One sells replicas/cheap swords etc and there is always a (Real) black cat
on the Window of the shop. They've had an AK that has not sold in years
on the shop window covered in cat hair. I went down there a about a month
or two ago to buy is and accidently discovered that another shop down the road
was selling them for cheaper. ( they dont take credit cards)

Mmmad in Cork (30 seconds walk from first shop mentioned) have both replicas and airsoft and various things but the guys over on the other board
I mentioned earlier dont like the retailer very much as they have been known to sell realistic gun like objects to Kids which is pretty much irresponsible and only feeds
the anti gun nuts that want to deprive everyone both into real shooting and airsoft sports
of their enjoyment of their chosen sport &or hobby.

~B

#Smokey#

Ah I see,The replicas are wat im looking for now if I could only find a place in Dublin or even online that does them.

Dr Strange

Only old-spec deacts can be cocked, dry-fired and field-stripped.

EDIT: But even with those you wouldn't necessarily be able to put any inert rounds into them as most have (should have) their barrel blocked/sealed at the system.

o1s1n

bullets wrote:

Mmmad in Cork (30 seconds walk from first shop mentioned) have both replicas and airsoft and various things but the guys over on the other board
I mentioned earlier dont like the retailer very much as they have been known to sell realistic gun like objects to Kids which is pretty much irresponsible and only feeds
the anti gun nuts that want to deprive everyone both into real shooting and airsoft sports
of their enjoyment of their chosen sport &or hobby.

~B

I totally agree there. Stay away from that shop.

Now that I think about it they never did email me back or remove the 'fun for all ages' from the mac 11 for sale on their site.

#Smokey#

I didnt mean chamber the rounds just have in mag for realism.I dont need to be able to dry-fire or field strip the replica.And mmmad.ie only have 2 replica pistols for sale nothing bigger

o1s1n

#Smokey# wrote:

And mmmad.ie only have 2 replica pistols for sale nothing bigger

Have you not seen their website? They're selling a selection of CYMA mp5 AEGs for €200 last time I checked. They're not worth anything passed €100.

I'm also pretty sure the shotgun they're selling for €100 is the same one for sale on RSOV for under €20.

Anyway, for fear of this being sent to the airsoft forum, I will now shut up!

#Smokey#

As i've said i'm not interested in AEG's or any other airsofts at the moment just a replica

#Smokey#

Would it be against the rules to sell one here on boards?

o1s1n

#Smokey# wrote:

As i've said i'm not interested in AEG's or any other airsofts at the moment just a replica

An airsoft gun is a replica....? What are you trying to replicate exactly? If you just want the exterior then an airsoft is perfect...?

tuxy

How about a deactivated airsoft?

#Smokey#

lol i should have said a replica which has the interior of the gun its replicating also to add to the realism.And i want to have a mag of inert rounds also and dont think airsoft bb's will cut it

Chopperdog 2

#Smokey# wrote:

lol i should have said a replica which has the interior of the gun its replicating also to add to the realism.And i want to have a mag of inert rounds also and dont think airsoft bb's will cut it

Forgive my apparent ignorance, but what is your modus operandi?

I am very curious why you want/need a de-act ak and inert rounds.

The fact that an airsoft will not satisfy your needs, what do you really want this for?

Please enlighten us as to why you want this item?

I fully agree with the comment by Civdef on the other thread that de-acts are not related to sports shooting and personally I cant see the attraction of having a 'gun' if it cant shoot...

It leans a little too close to the Walter Mitty brigade for my liking and I feel that this mindset has nothing to add to legitimate shooters and their sport as a whole.

rrpc

Just one addendum to this, and that's to point out that you must be very careful of inert rounds, because if they are not obviously deactivated (hole drilled in the base or side) you could be charged with possession of ammunition without a licence.

Probably won't get convicted but you will spend an anxious time waiting for your case to be heard.

Sparks

because if they are not obviously deactivated (hole drilled in the base or side) you could be charged with possession of ammunition without a licence.

Heck, even if they are obviously deactivated, given that recent farce of a court case brought against a chap who had spent brass cartridges and who was charged with possession of ammunition without a licence. Thrown out of the Wicklow court, but not before going through the Bray court and presumably being highly inconvienent for the chap involved.

bullets

If the OP tires the Military boards the lads may be able to advise of
what he/she wants.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=659

The Re-enactment groups or even collectors always want as close to
the real thing as possible as ascetics (spelling??) are very important to them.
Having a replica or deactivated gun that will let you stick inert drill rounds
or the like into the magazine it only adds the the pleasure on owning one and displaying
it on your wall/shelf or mantle piece.

~B

dimebag249

Replica's seem dangerous to me. Criminals can still hold up a post office with them. Reinactment/airsoft also seems somewhat irresponsible. Pointing any gun, or something that might resemble a gun to an outsider has the potential for bad press for the rest of us, and for accidents. What if your friend has a replica firearm and inert ammunition, while you have the live firing version and live ammo? Anybody see the potential for trouble? I guess if it's done safely and with reverance for the dangers involved with using anything even vaguely gun shaped than recreationists/airsofters have as much right to practice their sport/hobby as anyone, but I think having being brought never to point a gun at anyone no matter how sure of it's safety pointing an AK-74 seems wrong. I definately think kids shouldn't be allowed to use them, but then again there are enough adult idiots going around with firearm certificates...

o1s1n

dimebag249 wrote:

Replica's seem dangerous to me. Criminals can still hold up a post office with them.

Criminals can hold up a post office with a gold club, baseball bat, machete, kitchen knife, nail gun, water pistol, display sword...etc...are we going to ban all of them too? No, we're not. That's a tabloid shock tactics argument you're trying there. It doesn't last very long after scrutiny.

dimebag249 wrote:

What if your friend has a replica firearm and inert ammunition, while you have the live firing version and live ammo? Anybody see the potential for trouble?

What are the chances you don't disarmed your weapon properly after shooting real steel and accidentally kill someone? You check it first, that's how. All airsofts are checked for legality with a chronograph before engaged in any kind of game.

dimebag249 wrote:

but I think having being brought never to point a gun at anyone no matter how sure of it's safety pointing an AK-74 seems wrong.

You're equating airsoft to firearms. It's nowhere near the same. When eye protection is worn, airsoft is a lot safer to play than paintball, soccer, rugby, golf..I could go on.

dimebag249 wrote:

I definately think kids shouldn't be allowed to use them, but then again there are enough adult idiots going around with firearm certificates...

Isn't the minimum age for a firearms license 16? Last time I checked, anyone under 18 was considered a child. Personally I'd much rather my child be allowed to shoot airsoft rifles than firearms.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a go at shooters here. I totally agree with you being legally allowed to posses firearms for whatever reasons you have. It just annoys the hell out of me when uninformed people have a go at my favorite sport. Which I'm sure you can all relate to.

dimebag249

o1s1n wrote:

Criminals can hold up a post office with a gold club, baseball bat, machete, kitchen knife, nail gun, water pistol, display sword...etc...are we going to ban all of them too? No, we're not. That's a tabloid shock tactics argument you're trying there. It doesn't last very long after scrutiny.

Yeah but if a realistic replica can be purchased over the counter it's easier to commit a crime with it. When that happens it's bad press for all shooters. Wasn't there some crazy media scaremongering recently over someone selling perfectly legal airsoft guns in Galway? Better for all of us if a scumbag was to use an illegally held firearm.

o1s1n wrote:

You're equating airsoft to firearms. It's nowhere near the same. When eye protection is worn, airsoft is a lot safer to play than paintball, soccer, rugby, golf..I could go on.

Read again o1s1n, no I'm not. It's bad practice to point guns at people, real or not, unloaded or not. In my opinion it breeds unsafe habits. Makes kids comfortable with pointing guns at people.

o1s1n wrote:

Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a go at shooters here. I totally agree with you being legally allowed to posses firearms for whatever reasons you have. It just annoys the hell out of me when uninformed people have a go at my favorite sport. Which I'm sure you can all relate to.

o1s1n, calm down dear. Please re-read my post, you'll find I wrote something like "I guess if it's done safely and with reverance for the dangers involved with using anything even vaguely gun shaped than recreationists/airsofters have as much right to practice their sport/hobby as anyone", I would have thought you too would want your sport practiced in as safe a manner as possible, with regard to all safety concerns, I know I do. Go back and read my post again o1s1n, I wasn't ripping on airsoft, I've got nothing against it, I'd get an AEG if I had the cash, unfortunately I can only afford real guns. (seriously those things are expensive!)

dimebag249

dimebag249 wrote:

It's bad practice to point guns at people, real or not, unloaded or not. In my opinion it breeds unsafe habits. Makes kids comfortable with pointing guns at people.

I'm with you on that - thats one of my main gripes with Airsoft - the idea of people chasing and shooting people with a gun that looks and feels like an AK or whatever is slightly disturbing.

Chopperdog 2

Deleted User wrote:

I'm with you on that - thats one of my main gripes with Airsoft - the idea of people chasing and shooting people with a gun that looks and feels like an AK or whatever is slightly disturbing.

+1

Maybe this thread is more appropriate for the Airsoft forum.

Clare gunner

I have to swing with the saftey issue guys on this.Dont get me wrong.I've paintballed and airsofted as well,and have been here long enough to remember when paintball was in the cammo and mil surplus era with single shot pistols in the 80s.It got then the same bad press as airsoft is getting now."killer games" Rambo training camps" etc etc .
And the weapons didnt then look very realistic.Nowadays if you paintball it is dayglow kit you are wearing and shoot in a soccer playing pitchwith inflatable barricades.It is now an accepted yuppie sport. The trouble with airsoft weapons is they look so damn realistic.

Now ,we know that they are fake as Hell,but to the uninformed great unwashed out there they look like the real thing,including in that Garda Oaf. Add into that we have folks cammoed up driving milsurp Jeeps,etc.And heypresto you now have a "sensational" story for the local sewer rat...Er reporter.Para military training camp for wanna be rambos or criminals in your neighbourhood.Read all about it in the daily Scum!.Type headlines will be pushed around aplenty in the next few years at airsofters.

Dont worry too much about that,it happend and will proably happen with the practical pistol,shotgun,rifle crowd as well.Happened everywhere else in Europe,wont see Ireland being the exception either.
BUT your big problem will be image and [2] if a sinister element tries to infiltrate the sport,like what happened with the neo nazis in Germany in the 90s.They started to use airsoft matches as training and recruitement grounds.
You could imagine the fun ,if say ex INLA or gangs started doing this in airsoft matches here.:eek:
That would be my "saftey" issue,not so much as physical saftey but PR saftey.

sidneyreilly

dimebag249 wrote:

and for accidents. What if your friend has a replica firearm and inert ammunition, while you have the live firing version and live ammo? Anybody see the potential for trouble? ...

All the more reason for firearms owners to be totally carefull with their firearms and with who has access to them. Same can be said of a lot of kids cap-guns I've seen! that balls firmly in the firearms owners court not the replica/toys.

Each to their own.

N.O.I.P.

Guys I understand your reservations but I'm gonna have to disagree, I've been airsofting for about a year now and I also joined a gun club a few months ago so that I could go clay pigeon shooting. Now despite all the skirmishes and the hours spent

chasing and shooting people with a gun that looks and feels like an AK or whatever

there is no situation that I can think of that would cause me to even consider pointing a gun, loaded or otherwise at a person, but in the end Airsoft toys are just that toys.

o1s1n

dimebag249 wrote:

o1s1n, calm down dear. Please re-read my post, you'll find I wrote something like "I guess if it's done safely and with reverance for the dangers involved with using anything even vaguely gun shaped than recreationists/airsofters have as much right to practice their sport/hobby as anyone", I would have thought you too would want your sport practiced in as safe a manner as possible, with regard to all safety concerns, I know I do. Go back and read my post again o1s1n, I wasn't ripping on airsoft, I've got nothing against it, I'd get an AEG if I had the cash, unfortunately I can only afford real guns. (seriously those things are expensive!)

You comment yo-yoed back and forth somewhat from 'this is irresponsible' to 'i guess if it's done safely it's okay..' to 'please think of the children'. Without paragraphs. So you'll have to forgive my confusion

As for airsofters giving all shooters bad press, it works both ways. A good portion of the negative media attention we get is actually to do with airguns, and not airsofts.
Most of the antis on the Adrian Kennedy show for example were speaking of airgun wounds and airgun related crimes. Nothing to do with us at all. Yet, there's no convincing them otherwise. Quite annoying that.

dimebag249

Sorry o1s1n, that's actually the first time I've tried to engage in a childish, pedantic quoting match. I'm perhaps not as experienced at it as you are, but don't worry, I won't offend you by trying it again. Plus you've conveniently ignored the valid safety arguements made by myself and other posters. But I didn't sign up for a shooting forum to get in a piddling match with a kid about toys, nor to feed trolls. Peace out.

N.O.I.P.

Oh I don't know Dimebag your last post seemed more than adequite in the childishness and pedantic stakes. Oisin said his piece, you said yours, its clear you guys don't see eye to eye but I can't say I see the need to get pissy and start throwing around the insults. Not to worry though I didn't join this forum to get into arguments with people who can't hear out anothers opinion in a mature civilised manner. Peace out

#Smokey#

A replica is just there for the maximum aesthetic value not for airsoft sporting.I am looking for one to place on my wall as an AK is one of the most durable weapons to date.

And for those that think its just criminals who use them you must remember those re-enactors as well as those collectors who would rather safely and legally own the most detailed replica they can get

N.O.I.P.

Hey Smokey it might be worth your while asking at the Salute show on the 25th, there should be lots of re-enactors there, oh and if you end up importing one from the UK I'd advise doing it soon as the VCR bill is due to be implemented in the next month and a half or so, which may make it difficult in the future

o1s1n

dimebag249 wrote:

Sorry o1s1n, that's actually the first time I've tried to engage in a childish, pedantic quoting match. I'm perhaps not as experienced at it as you are, but don't worry, I won't offend you by trying it again. Plus you've conveniently ignored the valid safety arguements made by myself and other posters. But I didn't sign up for a shooting forum to get in a piddling match with a kid about toys, nor to feed trolls. Peace out.

By the sounds of things you don't post on internet forums very often. So, rather than stoop to your own level and start hurling insults (which I could very easily do) I will try to do some good by helping you instead.

Tips for posting in online forums-

1. If your wish to make several points in your post, us paragraphing. Begin each paragraph with a new point. Blocks of text are a chore to read. Paragraphing your points correctly will make you come across a lot more eloquent. Your post will also be a lot less open to confusion.

For example;

dimebag249 wrote:

Replica's seem dangerous to me. Criminals can still hold up a post office with them. Reinactment/airsoft also seems somewhat irresponsible. Pointing any gun, or something that might resemble a gun to an outsider has the potential for bad press for the rest of us, and for accidents. What if your friend has a replica firearm and inert ammunition, while you have the live firing version and live ammo? Anybody see the potential for trouble? I guess if it's done safely and with reverance for the dangers involved with using anything even vaguely gun shaped than recreationists/airsofters have as much right to practice their sport/hobby as anyone, but I think having being brought never to point a gun at anyone no matter how sure of it's safety pointing an AK-74 seems wrong. I definately think kids shouldn't be allowed to use them, but then again there are enough adult idiots going around with firearm certificates...

Becomes -

dimebag249 wrote:

Replica's seem dangerous to me. Criminals can still hold up a post office with them.
Reinactment/airsoft also seems somewhat irresponsible.
Pointing any gun, or something that might resemble a gun to an outsider has the potential for bad press for the rest of us, and for accidents.

What if your friend has a replica firearm and inert ammunition, while you have the live firing version and live ammo? Anybody see the potential for trouble?

I guess if it's done safely and with reverance for the dangers involved with using anything even vaguely gun shaped than recreationists/airsofters have as much right to practice their sport/hobby as anyone.

- but I think having being brought never to point a gun at anyone no matter how sure of it's safety pointing an AK-74 seems wrong.

I definately think kids shouldn't be allowed to use them, but then again there are enough adult idiots going around with firearm certificates

See what I mean? Much better!

2. If a post angers you, take a deep breath before replying. Instead of getting all riled up and hurling petty insults, try to use reason and logic instead. Not only does it help prevent arguments, it also makes you sound intelligent.

3. If you wish to come across condescending,

Ie -

dimebag249 wrote:

o1s1n, calm down dear.

dimebag249 wrote:

But I didn't sign up for a shooting forum to get in a piddling match with a kid about toys, nor to feed trolls. Peace out.

adhere closely to points 1 and 2. When you don't you give the impression of being nothing more than that old man who sits in the corner of the pub, ranting to himself and any person who comes within earshot.

4 And here's the bombshell..not everyone in the world is not going to have the same opinions as you. I know, shocking, isn't it? Rather than letting that get to you, try and keep your mind open. You may actually learn something new.

5 Remember, try to have fun!

And er yeah..peace out to you too.

Right - I'm getting a bit confused by this.

As I mentioned earlier, I don't think the whole 'dressing up in camo and chasing some guy with a replica of gun while shooting him in the middle of a forest' is

a) Very Safe
b) Good publicity

In paintball at least the 'gun' that you have is not anything like a 'real' gun except for the fact that it has a trigger and what could be considered a barrel.

Why do you have to have replicas of the Aks, Mp5s and the like?

Also, from reading a couple of threads on the airsoft forum (note; just a scan), it seems very haphazard, with people denting walls and breaking china.

N.O.I.P.

Airsoft games are played using safety equipment and rules identical to that of paintball, most sites have trained first aid practitioners and child protection officers(if young children are allowed play at all)

I have to admit I'm a little surprised to see that people on this forum have a problem with how an AEG looks, especially considering the amount of times the FAO "Idontlikethelookofthat" excuse is mentioned.Its comparable to damning a semi auto Oberlund (did I spell that right?) because it looks like a select fire M4. I really don't see a reason that we shouldn't have replicas when we use them in a safe and responsible manner it adds to the game and serves to enhance the experience.

Also I'm pretty sure I have read nearly every thread that has been posted on the Airsoft forum since I joined boards, and I honestly can't recall seeing a thread about somebody breaking china do you have the link?

Anyway your opinion is your own, I wont try and force mine down your throat especially since we aren't even supposed to be talking about Airsoft in the first place

Thats the thing - none of the guns I use fall anywhere near that catergory, and I don't know anyone personally who has guns which do.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055135100 is the first link, I'm also pretty sure I read someone posting that thye loved playing first person shooters and now wanted to take up air softing.

However, I am quite shocked at the lack of safety issues on the AS thread - newbie threads here have serious safety posts.

N.O.I.P.

Ahh that guy was asking would they break china, thought you had seen a post in which somebody was boasting about it or something, and for the record I doubt they would break China not that I condone testing it. A lot of the guys use BB catchers if they are target shooting, stops ricochets and saves on clean up.

Your own guns may not fall into the category but I was only using that as an example, some AEGs may look like a real steal M4s AKs or whatever but on the inside they are a very different animal, their safety or our responsibility when using them should not be judged on their appearance.

I thought we had safety info in the stickies we have quite a few of them and it get difficult to keep track of the info contained in them, I'll have a read through and get on to the mods though. We do take safety issues seriously.