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About The Game of Airsoft
Airsoft uses realistic, accurate imitation firearms which fire 6mm plastic pellets referred to as bb's at ranges of up to 100 meters. Replicas range from the MP5 as seen in Die Hard all the way up to the CheyTak M200 sniper rifle featured in Shooter. Unlike paintball bb's do not leave any visible mark and the game relies on an honour system of the player calling themselves out or hit.
Games range from day events, referred to as skirmishes all the way to full 36 hour military simulations, referred to as mil-sims. These games often involve realistic missions such as capturing enemy outposts to recovering sensitive material. The nature of the games builds a focus upon teamwork and tactics.
For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft
UKARA
In October 2007 The Violent Crimes Reduction Act (VCRA) came into force. The VCRA means that in order for you buy a Realistic Imitation Firearm (RIF) or indeed travel with them; you must prove your defence as an airsoft skirmisher.
There are several ways to do this:
- Keep a skirmish diary of dates and events played
- Provide membership details to a club or organisation in line with skirmishing
- Register with the United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association (UKARA)
Any of the above will satisfy the law however retailers will only accept a UKARA registration as qualification to purchase a RIF, if you are not UKARA registered you can still legally purchase a "two tone" replica where at least 50% of the replica is painted in a bright colour.
UKARA is not a legal requirement or government body it is merely an approved database that allows retailers to check up players. It is the player's responsibility to become UKARA registered and no club or organisation can do this on your behalf (see below for player requirements).
In order to become UKARA registered you as a player must:
- Be 18 or over
- Play 3 games at a UKARA registered game site that holds valid 3rd party/public liability insurance in no less than 2 months
- At each game played the player must get his membership form stamped and then...
- Become a member of that game site
- Fill in the relevant documentation
A form can be downloaded from http://www.ukara.org.uk/node/2. Once you have completed the above any UKARA registered retailer will upload you to the database. That's it! You can then buy RIF's.
All Recon Six team members should aim to be UKARA registered.