WorldWide Airsoft Regulations

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Australia

Airsoft guns are federally banned, although Airsoft Australia have made significant progress in legalisation and are expecting a December 2008 final decision on the proposed bill.

Austria

* Airsoft guns and pistols are allowed, but restricted to maximal 0.08 joule for persons under 18 years of age.
* All users that are at least 14 years old do not need their parent's permission.
* Airsoft guns and pistols more than 0.08 joule can be purchased in specialized weapon shops only and all users have to be at least 18 years old

Belgium

* Airsoft guns and pistols can only be bought at officially licensed dealers, who carry a government permit along with a certified weapon of defense (W.O.D.) to import and sell firearms.

Bulgaria

* Airsoft is a legal sport in Bulgaria and there are no restrictions placed on the guns.
* People between 14-18 years old need their parents' permission. For the rest (18 and above) there are no restrictions.
* The Bulgarian law considers Airsoft guns to be Airguns - you don't need any documents, licenses or anything else to possess them.
* However, shooting in "protected" (quote from the law) areas is forbidden. Protected areas are schools, administrative buildings and other public property. Also, shooting with an Airgun/Airsoft gun in public areas is forbidden.
* There are no restrictions about carrying, possessing or using Airsoft guns in Bulgaria. There are no restrictions about the age of the players (traders don't sell Airguns/Airsoft guns to minors <18 though).
* There are no restrictions about lasers, flashlights etc. Basically, you could put anything on your gun.
* There's no need the end of the barrel to be painted in orange (like in the United States)
* There are no restrictions about the power of the Airguns/Airsoft guns - you could buy an 1J Airsoft as well as an 80J PCP Airgun
* There are no restrictions about carrying Airsoft guns in public areas (it is not a good idea, however).

Canada

From the Canada Firearms Centre's fact sheet on airguns

* Airsoft guns that closely resemble real firearms are classified as replica firearms and can only be imported by companies possessing a Business Firearms License. It is unlawful to sell or transfer replica firearms without this license.
* Above 500 ft/s (150 m/s) and 5.7 joules, air guns are considered controlled firearms and must be registered.
* No legal distinction is made between airsoft and true firearms when they are used for the purposes of crime.
* In Ontario the minimum age to purchase airsoft is 18. Children under 18 must be supervised by someone over 18.
* Airsoft guns imported into the country by private citizens are at risk of being seized and destroyed at the border by customs agents. The few Canadian airsoft retailers that exist take advantage of this fact and the prices are high in comparison to other countries.

One other thing about their airsoft guns are that they must be clear and not painted in order to be legal.

The People's Republic of China

* In the People's Republic of China, it has been illegal for years mainland China. However, it is essentially an underground sport, and local authorities has been raiding this sport that anyone carrying these guns have been arrested and their stocks been confiscated to goverment. Market stalls and Shops have stopped selling airsoft guns. It is legal in China's SARs (Special Administrative Regions, such as Macau and Hong Kong) but there also its getting underground, several cargo companies already refuse to do anything with them.

Macau

* In Macau, China, all airsoft guns are legal but may not be fired with a muzzle energy above two (2) joules of kinetic energy.

Czech Republic

* Airsoft guns have the same status as real firearms, yet they fit into a category where no gun license is needed.
* The use of airsoft guns is allowed for players that are least 18 years old.
* Airsoft guns may not have an energy greater than 16 joules.
* The use of laser sights and flashlights is forbidden.
* Usage and open carrying of airsoft guns in public places is highly forbidden.
* Playing is forbidden in places which are freely accessible by civilians - it can be played only on places that are private and closed.

Denmark

Airsoft guns are mentioned in the Danish "Våbenlov" (Arms control legislation).

* You have to be at least 18 years old to buy, hand over and possess airsoft guns.
* You can use airsoft guns, on police approved sites, with a permission slip, at the age of 16.
* A firearms certificate is not required.

Finland

* Visible transportation of replica firearms in public areas is forbidden. All replica firearms must be covered with something, for example, a weapon case.
* Land owner's permission is needed to play airsoft in any area.
* Minors (under the age of 18) are able to purchase airsoft guns only with written permission from their legal guardians.

France

* Visible transportation of replica firearms in public areas is forbidden. All replica firearms must be covered with something, for example, a weapon case.
* Land owner's permission is needed to play airsoft in any area.
* Minors (under the age of 18) can only buy or use airsoft gun which are under 0.07 joules in power.
* Airsoft gun may only have a power under 2 joules , otherwise they are considered to be a weapon and must be registered.

Germany

* Airsoft guns under 0.5 joule are considered toy guns and can be freely sold to all persons above 3 years of age. Distributors agreed to raise the limit to least 14 years of age. [This is realized and the limit is thus 14 years]
* All airsoft guns between 0.5 joule and 7.5 joule must be bolt-action or semiautomatic only and can only be sold to people 18 years or older. These are considered "free" firearms, as a result:
o Sales of guns of more than 0.5 joule are allowed only in weapon shops.
o Guns must be marked with the trader's weapon abbreviation and a F-in-a-pentagon mark as well as the airsoft gun caliber (such as 6 mm BB).
* Target illuminating devices and lasers may not be attached to guns but are legal otherwise. For example: possession of a flashlight is allowed, even shooting with the flashlight in one hand and the gun in the other; but attaching it via mount ring to the rail system of a gun is not. Devices made specifically for the purpose of being attached to a gun (like certain flashlights with integrated foregrip for mil-spec rail) are prohibited.
* While the possession of airsoft guns is allowed, the actual use in a game is (at least) hotly debated. For sure, most players using guns with more than 0.5 joule muzzle energy leave Germany to play in countries like France, Belgium, Denmark or the Czech Republic.
o More information can be found at Airsoft FAQ on laws in Germany, which covers more complicated issues like the "Kleiner Waffenschein", issues with the OWiG §118 in Bavaria and a definition of the term "combat shooting".

Greece

* The airsoft is basically an underground sport in Greece because the law is a little foggy. According to law the airsoft guns are not real firearms and they are free to purchase from shops.
* The airsoft guns usage and buying are not permitted for people under 18 years, however it is possible with parental supervision.
* It is prohibited to have any replica gun in public sight. This is threatened as illegal possession of a real firearm.
* The use of lasers, scopes and flashlights on a replica weapon is prohibited by the law.

Hong Kong

* In Hong Kong, all airsoft guns are legal but may not be fired with a muzzle energy above 2 joules.
* You are only allowed to play airsoft in private areas and non-country park areas.
* You may not reveal the airsoft guns in public areas.