Airsoft Thread

[Cortexian]

He imagined the wrong one into existence, shoulda wished for a SCAR-H for the baddies he was trying to take out in that scene!

Also, I thought I remembered seeing some SCAR's in Transformers 1/2...

[Cortexian]

Double posting to bring your brain into overdrive... Try and make sense of some of this why don't you!

So lets see if I'm on the right track here, in D19-13-2 the following is stated (on page 10 of the previously linked PDF for reference):

“Uncontrolled” firearms
5. “Uncontrolled” firearms are those devices that, although falling within the definition of a firearm in the Criminal Code, are exempt from specific legal requirements of the Firearms Act and its regulations, as well as from other legislative provisions. “Uncontrolled” firearms do not fall under Tariff item No. 9898.00.00, and are generally admissible into Canada. “Uncontrolled” firearms should not be subdivided into any of the non-restricted, restricted, or prohibited classes. The following types of firearms are deemed “uncontrolled”:

(a) Irrelevant information removed...

(b) Irrelevant information removed...

(c) Irrelevant information removed...

(d) Low muzzle velocity/energy guns – Any barrelled weapon that is not designed or adapted to discharge projectiles at a muzzle velocity exceeding 152.4 metres per second (500 feet per second) and at a muzzle energy exceeding 5.7 Joules, or to discharge projectiles that are designed or adapted to attain a velocity exceeding 152.4 metres per second (500 feet per second) and an energy exceeding 5.7 Joules. Both thresholds of 152.4 mps and 5.7 Joules must be exceeded for the firearm to be considered “controlled”. This requirement exempts firearms that fire below the threshold velocity with a standard projectile, but exceed the threshold velocity when fired with a high-velocity projectile.

Note: The term air gun is a colloquial term referring to BB or pellet guns. Such guns operate either as spring-powered, gas-powered, or electrically powered. If the muzzle velocity of the air gun is less than 152.4 mps (500 fps)/5.7 joules but still able to cause serious bodily injury to a person, it may be considered an “uncontrolled” firearm. Most airsoft guns and certain types of paintball guns are considered replica firearms (see “Prohibited Devices” below).

In the last paragraph, the underlined concerns me... Airsoft is specifically singled out as being Prohibited... Lets continue to the relevant "Prohibited Devices" information anyways:

Prohibited Devices
General
49. A prohibited device is:

(a) any component or part of a weapon, or any accessory for use with a weapon that is prescribed to be a prohibited device (e.g. any device designed for the purpose of discharging cartridges in rapid succession, bull-pup stocks, etc.);

(b) a handgun barrel that is equal to or less than 105 mm (approximately 4.1 inches) in length, but does not include any such handgun barrel that is prescribed where the handgun barrel is used in international sporting competitions governed by the rules of the International Shooting Union;

(c) a device or contrivance designed or intended to muffle or stop the sound or report of a firearm, such as silencers (please note that some silencers attached to airsoft guns may also be deemed prohibited devices if they can be used in real firearms);

(d) large-capacity cartridge magazines prescribed by regulation; or

(e) a replica firearm.

Replica firearms
50. “Replica firearm” is defined as any device that is designed or intended to exactly resemble, or to resemble with near precision, a firearm, and that itself is not a firearm, but does not include any such device that is designed or intended to exactly resemble, or to resemble with near precision, an antique firearm.

51. For a device to be a replica firearm it must meet all three requirements:

(a) it cannot be a firearm, meaning it does not discharge a projectile with sufficient energy to cause serious bodily injury or death to a person. If the device is a firearm, then it cannot be a replica firearm (and vice versa);

(b) it must resemble exactly, or with near precision, a real existing firearm of an identifiable make and model. With respect visual examination, note that the maximum observing distance is one at which the equivalent make and model of the firearm can be identified. This distance will vary from one firearm make to the next. For example: A Luger pistol has a very distinctive silhouette as compared to other makes and is therefore more readily identified from further away. The examination of the object is something more than casual, but less than detailed. The device does not need to be so close that markings are identifiable; and

(c) it cannot be designed or intended to exactly resemble, or to resemble with near precision, an antique firearm (see Antique Firearms above).

52. In addition, there are other material considerations that must be considered when examining a device suspected of being a replica firearm. Amongst them:

(a) scale and size;

(b) translucency (i.e. whether light can travel through it). At the time of publication, there are no firearms made of glass or translucent material. However, such a determination is not absolute. Much of this consideration depends on "how translucent" the material is and what are the parts that are translucent. For instance, a transparent firearm-like object made of dark, barely translucent material could resemble a firearm. Also, be aware that certain ammunition magazines may be translucent or made with transparent plastic materials (e.g., the magazine of the SIG 550 assault rifle);

(c) shape (whether all major parts from the original firearm are reproduced-even if they do not move).

The underlined sections in the "Replica firearms" category above is most of the relevant information in that section correct?

54. The following are examples of devices that may be considered replica firearms (however, each device must always be assessed on a case-by-case basis and taking into account all the above-mentioned criteria):

(a) Irrelevant information removed...

(b) Most airsoft guns and certain types of paintball guns or markers are considered replica firearms. This is because the muzzle velocity of the projectile does not generally cause serious bodily harm and their external features are clearly designed to resemble a specific and readily identifiable make and model of a firearm. The jurisprudence has established that to consider a firearm within the meaning of s. 2 of the Criminal Code, an airsoft gun must have a muzzle velocity in excess of 124 meters per second (407 feet per second). Therefore, due to their strong resemblance to real firearms and their lack of capacity to cause serious bodily injury, most airsoft guns (and some paintball guns) are generally considered replica firearms.

Exception: The following goods generally do not meet the definition of prohibited weapon, and thus do not fall under tariff item 9898.00.00. Their misuse may nonetheless be punishable under other laws:

(a) an air gun or BB/pellet gun that resembles a real make and model of a firearm may not be a replica firearm if it is an “uncontrolled” firearm (see “Uncontrolled” firearms).

The above underlined is basically the "loophole" that allows airsoft guns to be considered Uncontrolled firearms if they're above 407 FPS but below 500 FPS?

This is all so confusing!

Posted that on Airsoft Canada in the latest discussion thread on importing airsoft guns yourself without a Business Firearms License (BFL). Some people have been having luck importing them by making sure the gun they are importing is shooting between 407-500 FPS or upgraded to do so by the retailer before shipping. Then the retailer includes all of this relevant information in the declaration paper-work so the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) agent that inspects it can be subtly reminded how to do his job properly and release the gun without having to send it to the RCMP for testing and potential destruction/denial.

The thing is, is that if the gun is just upgraded by the retailer (for example; I buy an airsoft gun that shoots 350 FPS from Airsoft GI and have them upgrade it to shoot 430) then there's no visual "proof" that the CBSA agent can look up on their website or the manufacturers website saying that the gun meets the requirements we say it meets. So just saying "430 FPS with .20g BB's, Uncontrolled firearm" on the box won't cut it unless they can see some proof that it's firing at those speeds.

When I get a job here I'm going to call up Airsoft GI about potentially adding a "Canadian Guns" section to their website. Basically it will list all of their airsoft guns and the parts they pre-install to make it fire in the 407-500 FPS range. Then when a Canadian customer orders that gun, the gun is pulled from their stock, upgraded with the required parts, legal declaration documents printed, and box clearly marked that it's "4XX FPS with .20g BB's, Uncontrolled firearm for Canada". Seems simple enough and potentially a big market for Airsoft GI to work. It may then be possible for me to hook Airsoft GI up with the CBSA so they can arrange a more streamlined process for packages coming in from them specifically.

Thoughts?

[Warsaw]

So wait, you have to upgrade it to shoot harder to get it through customs? Am I misunderstanding something?

Also, you would need SKU numbering on the guns so that they know it hasn't been tampered with and that it is what the paper says it is.

[Amit]

So wait, you have to upgrade it to shoot harder to get it through customs? Am I misunderstanding something?

Also, you would need SKU numbering on the guns so that they know it hasn't been tampered with and that it is what the paper says it is.

Couldn't that number be printed prior to a gun being "tampered" with, though?

[Cortexian]

Yeah, basically they need to be upgraded to the point where they're considered an Uncontrolled firearm based on the Low muzzle velocity/energy statement in the first section.

Basically 407 fps with 0.22g bbs. < > 500 fps AND 5.7 joules.

If it meets those requirements and is on the Canadian Firearms Reference Table (the real gun obviously) then it should make it into Canada no problem. When I have some extra cash I'm going to try and bring up a G&G FN2000 I think.

[Cortexian]

Completely awesome bump-worthy double-post!



I know the design and such has been around but it was unveiled at shot show 2011 in airsoft format from Magpul PTS. I'm gonna be holding off on getting a second AEG until this thing comes out, looks awesome and I'll be able to use my STANAG/M4/M16/AR-15 magazines with it!

[Warsaw]

Couldn't that number be printed prior to a gun being "tampered" with, though?

There are ways to get it mostly fool-proof. Stamp the SKU on the inside of the magazine well (or some other hard to reach spot), perhaps? Would be hard to replicate for someone without the equipment. Airsoft stores also wouldn't want to jeopardize their business, so them faking it is not likely.

E: That gun looks like an FN2000 on cocaine or a P90 on steroids. I don't particularly dig the look.

[RedBaron]

Meh, not really a fan of the skinny width and front rectangular block. Then again, I never liked the P90. I prefer the FN2000 out of the three.

[Warsaw]

If it didn't have that retarded-ass loopy fore-grip, it might look cool.

[Cortexian]

I agree, if they were to make the following detachable via bottom picatinny rail it would be better. You could go without it or stick your own "stubby" vertical grip on it if you didn't like the P90 style ergonomics.