Is airsoft legal in my country?

Airsoft guns and pistols more than 0.08 joule can be purchased in specialised weapon shops only and all users have to be at least 18 years old. Austria airsoft laws are very strict, airsoft players have to wear eye protection at all times during airsoft events. It is strictly forbidden to remove or disable the safety mechanism of airsoft guns.

In public places, it is required by law to carry airsoft guns in a holster or bag. Airsoft weapons are not allowed to be carried in a way that might scare other people.

The use of airsoft guns is only allowed on private property with the permission of the owner. It is strictly forbidden to shoot airsoft guns in public places, such as streets, parks or forests.

Airsoft laws in Austria are some of the most strict in Europe. Airsoft players have to be very careful to follow all the rules and regulations in order to avoid getting into trouble with the law.

• must be 18+
• energy under 7.5J

In Belgium, weapons that launch a projectile without the use of gunpowder are not restricted to persons over 18 years of age, provided the weapon is longer than 60 cm, has a barrel longer than 30 cm and has a muzzle energy of less than 7.5 joules. All events must take place in private locations, subject to prior notification to and authorisation from the local governing body and law enforcement agencies. Strict environmental laws require the exclusive use of biodegradable BBs.

• 14-18 years old needs parent's permission
• no energy limits

Airsoft is a legal sport in Bulgaria and there are no restrictions placed on the guns apart from a parents' permission for people under 18. As airsoft guns are considered air guns by the Bulgarian law, no documents or licenses are needed to possess them. There are no restrictions about the power of the air guns/airsoft guns, carrying, possessing or using Airsoft guns in Bulgaria

• must be 18+
• max energy 16J

Airsoft guns in the Czech Republic are category D firearms, which are regulated by Czech Firearms and Ammunition act (Act No. 119 of 2002.). Weapons and ammunition can be purchased, owned and used by anyone older than 18 years old. There is no need to have any certificate or permission. Airsoft weapons are prohibited to use in public places where they might threaten other people or damage property. Airsoft guns are limited to 16 joules

• must be 18+
• no energy limits

Airsoft guns are mentioned as exempt in the Danish "Våbenlov" (arms control legislation). Persons have to be at least 18 years old to buy, hand over, or possess airsoft guns. They may be used on police-approved sites, with a permission slip, at the age of 16. A firearms certificate is not required. All airsoft guns have to be transported concealed in a bag

under 18 yo you need a written permission by your legal guardians

All replica firearms are not clussified as firearms. Must be covered with something, for example, a firearm case, when moving on public area. Land owner's permission is needed to play airsoft in any area.

• max energy limit: 2J
• if under 18yo energy limit is 0.08J

Transportation of replica firearms in public is forbidden. All replica firearms must be covered with a weapon case. Permission from land owners is needed to play airsoft anywhere. Players under the age of 18 can only buy or use airsoft guns under 0.08 joules in power

• full auto guns - max energy 0,5J
• single auto guns - max enegy 7,5J
• must be 18+

Airsoft weapons with a power of less than 0.5 joules are considered toy weapons and can be used by anyone over the age of 14. If the muzzle energy is between 0.5 and 7.5 joules, airsoft handguns are no longer considered toy weapons.

The minimum age for purchasing and/or using an airsoft handgun is 18 years. These weapons require a special marking, the so-called 'F in a pentagon', and must not be capable of fully automatic firing, otherwise their possession is illegal.

Airsoft guns with an appearance similar to a real weapon require a locked container. Possession of lasers and lamps mounted on airsoft handguns is illegal.

Airsoft is basically an underground sport in Greece, according to the law, airsoft guns fall into the same general category as air guns, which are not real firearms, and are free to be purchased from specialized shops.

• max energy limit: 1J

The status of airsoft in Ireland was changed after the 2006 Criminal Justice Act, which amended the previous Firearms Acts. Where once authorisation or a license was required for all devices which fired a projectile from a barrel, the law now defines a firearm as (amongst other things):

an air gun (including an air rifle and air pistol) with a muzzle energy greater than one joule of kinetic energy or any other firearm incorporating a barrel from which any projectile can be discharged with such a muzzle energy

The aim of this change was to establish a classification of firearms in order to eliminate the legal oddity where toy suction cup dart guns and the like were legally classified as firearms, thus bringing Ireland into line with the rest of the EU.

• max energy limit: 1J

Airsoft guns and pistols are allowed a muzzle velocity below 100 m/s (328 ft/s) i.e. equivalent to a muzzle energy equal or minor to 1 joule: under the law, airsoft guns are not classified as firearms but as toys. You can buy and sell them both from stores and from another private citizen, either domestically or from abroad: Internet purchasing and mail shipping is legal and unrestricted.

All airsoft guns are treated under the national weapon law and demand a personal user certificate.

• must be 18+

Registration of any sort is not required for airsoft weapons, however, they are only available for purchase to people over 18 years. Airsoft players have established unan official set of rules, which regulates the behaviour of players belonging to the community.

Airsoft guns were legally introduced in 1985. They have been classified under the category of air guns. In this classification, one finds air rifles, airsoft guns, and paintball guns.

• NABV required
• max energy 2.3J (read details below)

As of 1 January 2013, the new Dutch airsoft law came into force, classifying airsoft devices as compressed air, gas or spring weapons with a maximum firing energy of 3.5 joules and an appearance almost similar to real firearms.

Anyone wishing to own an airsoft replica or participate in a skirmish must be registered with the NABV, the Dutch Airsoft Sport Association. To obtain NABV membership a person must pass a police check and must not have committed any offences in the last eight years.

As of 1 April 2019, new legislation has been introduced that indicates the maximum limit for each type of replica:

• Bolt action sniper: 2.3 joules (499 fps with 0.2 grams)
• DMR: 1.7 joules (430 fps with 0.2 gram)
• AEG: 1.2 joules (360 fps with 0.2 grams).

All players who are not Dutch citizens can play without being registered in the Netherlands, but they must submit a request for exemption to the Dutch Airsoft Sports Association.

• max energy 3J
• must be 18+ to buy a replica

The arms control legislation (Våpenforskrift) requires that one has to be at least 18 years old to buy airsoft but can use and own airsoft as a minor if they are wearing protection and have approval by parents. A firearms certificate is not required.

• max energy 17J
• must be 18+ to buy a replica

Airsoft guns as well as the sport of Airsoft are legal in Poland. The law does not distinguish Airsoft guns from Airguns, thus the only requirement is that they cannot exceed 17J of energy, which would classify them as pneumatic weapons. Open carrying an Airsoft replica in a public area is prohibited.

• max energy 1.3J
• must be 18+ to buy a replica
• must be member of a Sport Promotion Association
• guns must be painted in fluorescent yellow or fluorescent red

Currently, the formal definition of an Airsoft gun is a recreational firearm reproduction (a"replica" have a different legal application under the same law). However, in order to be characterized as a recreational firearm reproduction, its muzzle energy must not exceed 1.3 J. The minimum age to purchase and use these reproductions is 18 years old but can drop to 16 if a written parental consent is issued.

Under the same act, to purchase and operate an Airsoft gun, one must be a member of an APD - Sport Promotion Association.

In addition, Airsoft guns have to be painted either in fluorescent yellow or fluorescent red and be in compliance with the following criteria:

• Long guns (more than 60 cm total length AND more than 30 cm of barrel)- 10 cm from the barrel tip and 100% of the stock.
• Short guns (less than 60 cm total length OR less than 30 cm of barrel)- 5 cm from the barrel tip and 100% of the grip.

• must be 18+ to buy a replica

The law 295 from 2004 regulates the use of air-powered weapons under the “non-lethal” category and solely requires that you are at least 18 years old and register your weapon at the police precinct nearest to your location.

There’s no need for an authorization to buy, own and use them.

• must be 18+ to buy a replica
• max energy 15J

Airsoft guns are considered to be firearms governed by law 190/2003. Airsoft guns fit into firearm class D (§7b) and no permit is needed. The use of airsoft guns is allowed by players that are least 18 years old. Guns may not have an energy greater than 15 joules. The owner of a gun is required by law to secure the firearm when not using it.

Since December 2012, airsoft guns have been known as recreational sporting weapons and are classified as a category 4 weapon, being legally equivalent to paintball markers, carbines and pellet guns. They must have a unique serial number and require a municipally issued firearms card.

At the same time, airsoft guns are classified into two groups:

• Automatic and semi-automatic models: category 4.1.
• Models with manual override with each shot: category 4.2.

These categories are very important because in category 4.1 only 6 weapons can be registered, while in category 4.2 there is no limit.

• must be 18+

A permit is required for air weapons, airsoft guns and paintball guns.

In Sweden, Airsoft devices are considered limited effect firearms, and thusly fall under the Swedish Gun laws. To buy, and possess a limited effect firearm, one needs to be at least 18 years old

Airsoft guns are not considered subject to weapon legislation and no permission is necessary. All types of laser sights are forbidden.

• must be 18+
• must have a valid defence to buy an airsoft replica (typically an UKARA id)
• energy max 1.3J for automatic guns
• energy max 2.5J for non-automatic guns (i.e. bolt action rifle)

According to Section 36 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 Realistic Imitation Firearms may not be sold, imported, or manufactured. Unrealistic imitation firearms (IF's) must have their principal color as transparent, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright blue, bright green, bright pink, or bright purple or have dimensions of no more than a height of 38 millimetres and a length of 70 millimetres.

Exceptions to the act are available for the following:

• a museum or gallery
• theatrical performances and rehearsals of such performances
• the production of films and television programs
• the organisation and holding of historical re-enactments
• crown servants.

The notes for the VCRA state the following: "The regulations provide for two new defenses. The first is for the organisation and holding of airsoft skirmishing. This is defined by reference to "permitted activities" and the defence applies only where third party liability insurance is held in respect of the activities." and "The defence for airsoft skirmishing can apply to individual players because their purchase of realistic imitation firearms for this purpose is considered part of the "holding" of a skirmishing event.

The airsoft defence is based on whether or not a person is a skirmisher. One of the measures put in place by retailers was the forming of a centrally recorded and maintained database. This system is managed by the United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association or UKARA. UKARA shares the database of registered skirmishers with the member retailers allowing verification that the purchaser is allowed to buy a RIF under the VCRA skirmisher defence. To qualify for the UKARA database, a person must skirmish three or more times over a period of at least 56 days, and typically at one site. 

It is an offence for anyone under 18 to purchase an airsoft gun (realistic or otherwise) or to sell one to a person under 18. Gifting is not an offence, therefore a person over 18 can buy one for a minor.