UKARA Airsoft Information

First and foremost, you do NOT need to have a UKARA (United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association) registration or membership to buy the two tone (part blue, orange, red, yellow, green, pink etc) airsoft pistols, rifles, and shotguns featured on our website.
Now that’s out of the way, read on for more information about UKARA.

What is UKARA?

UKARA, or the United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association, is a non-profit organisation that regulates the sale of some airsoft guns.
It’s one of the most important BB gun laws, and was established in 2006 as a response to the ‘Violent Crime Reduction Act’ (VCRA), which basically states that you must have a good ‘reason or defence’ for purchasing a realistic black firearm (or RIF). This was to stop non-airsoft players getting hold of black airsoft pistols or rifles and getting themselves (or others) into serious trouble.
UKARA holds records of all registered airsoft players (based here in the UK), so they are able to check if an individual is or is not able to purchase a realistic imitation firearm (RIF).

Why would I need UKARA membership?

UKARA membership is only something you require to purchase fully black BB airsoft guns, or RIFs. Why? Well, the likelihood of the police or general public thinking that a bright orange gun is a real gun, is not very likely. Whereas if you are holding a black gun, there is no way of telling if it is a real gun or not.

How to join UKARA

Not just anyone can successfully apply for a UKARA registration as you must meet specific criteria. including but not limited to visiting an airsoft site 3 or more times in 56 days (8 weeks) so the skirmish site can stamp your paperwork.
However, as mentioned above, there a few exceptions to this rule. You may be eligible for UKARA membership if you are involved in or acting on behalf of museums or art galleries, involved in theatrical performances and rehearsals, film and television productions, historical re-enactments or acting as a crown servant.
It is your responsibility to do the correct amount of research to ascertain if you do or do not fall within these demographics.
If you want to own a black airsoft gun, learn more about how to register for UKARA here.
It is your responsibility as a buyer and user to ensure that you do sufficient, relevant and up to date research around the law governing the purchase and use of BB guns within the UK. Take this information only as a reference guide and be aware that the law regarding BB airsoft guns (as with any law) is subject to periodic change, meaning the information on our website at any point in time, may not be up to date and is subject to change.

UKARA FAQs