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Airsoft and the Law in Ireland
1 May 2020
Irish Law in Relation to Airsoft
Those who are new to Airsoft or just doing a bit of target shooting in their garden are usually directed to the law governing Airsoft. But there are those who get a Airsoft Replica and don't know. Every country has a law in some same or form. In Ireland it falls under the firearms section. The information in the firearms section can be hard to follow so we have simplified it for you below. Airsoft guns are legal in Ireland since the 2006 Criminal Justice Act. Airsoft guns are classed as
RIFS, (Realistic Imitation Firearm), They are a realistic copy of a firearm, So you can imagine the problems it can cause if you decide not to adhere to the law.
According to Irish law a firearm is defined as an Air Gun, including an air rifle, air pistol or any other weapon incorporating a barrel from which any projectile can be discharged with a muzzle energy that is greater than one joule. Any airsoft gun thats muzzle energy is one joule or less is no longer classified as a firearm. So there is no license required for an airsoft gun.
According to Irish law a firearm is defined as an Air Gun, including an air rifle, air pistol or any other weapon incorporating a barrel from which any projectile can be discharged with a muzzle energy that is greater than one joule. Any airsoft gun thats muzzle energy is one joule or less is no longer classified as a firearm. So there is no license required for an airsoft gun.
The Irish Law (Airsoft )
- Airsoft RIFs must not have a muzzle velocity exceeding 1 Joule ( 328 feet per Sec). If an Airsoft RIF is above 1 Joule velocity then it is classed as an unlicensed firearm. You will not be allowed use your RIF on a skirmish site In Ireland if it is over the 1 Joule or import it in to the country as customs will seize it on entry to Ireland.
- An airsoft RIF cannot be carried or used in public. Airsoft RIFs should be covered in a suitable bags or case even if you are just carrying from your house to your car. If any member of the public sees or feels threatened by what they see, they may contact the authorities. Which may bring Armed Gardai
to you very fast. Do not have your replica in view on the back seat of your car, or in view from your bedroom window. - Playing on private land requires signed authorization from the landowner allowing you to be there.
But you must ensure you are out of sight of the general public.
Penalties for carrying a RIF in a public place , possession of an overpowered RIF can be up €5000 fine or imprisonment up to 5 years or both. If you shoot someone with it outside of a game, skirmish site etc, you can also be done for assault. So when shooting in your garden or on private land you have permission for make sure you know where your bbs are going.
Airsoft Sites & Shops have to also follow these laws as well as others. Airsoft Skirmish sites must have insurance, and be authorized by the local Gardai superintendant among other things.
Airsoft Sites & Shops have to also follow these laws as well as others. Airsoft Skirmish sites must have insurance, and be authorized by the local Gardai superintendant among other things.
Hi Guys Doug here from Gambits Custom Airsoft Not so long back, i picked up an Evolution Carbontech Combat Series EC21AR Recon S 10" from Waterford Airsoft Supplies for a tidy sum €200, and i must say im quite impressed. More than quite. I'm VERY impressed. There are many replicas that perform well out of the box, but i'm liking this one. I really am liking this one! So there is an unboxing video, and between a rather slow editing programme, and an even slower editor (me), that's going to come after this post at some point in a long to be forgotten future...fine....soon....ish... There is also a bit of footage of me gaming with it, scoring some epic kills, and potentially causing some massive head trauma to myself, but i'll refer you back to the start of this paragraph. The clip is quite funny, i may post that separately. Anyway... In a nutshell, out if the box, this replica is lightweight. Compared to a G&G Firehawk light weight i mean, and that's light as well as short. Stock and receivers are made of a durable polymer, and it is strong. Over the last month iv gamed, dropped, and even thrown (don't ask) this replica, and its stood up to abuse. The keymod rail *feels* like aluminium but if its polymer its damn strong! Overall, this is one solid built and sturdy AEG! For the price, your getting the equivalent of a G&G, ICS, and Specna Arms. Hell, as much as i detest Ares, the externals are good and the Evolution's are more than a challenge to them too. There are no creaks or rattles from this replica!