Is airsoft legal in my country?

Airsoft replicas are legal and generally not classified as firearms. Purchase and possession are limited to adults (18+). There is no statutory muzzle energy limit defined in national law.

Transporting replicas in public in a way that causes public alarm may lead to police intervention. Use is typically restricted to private property with the landowner’s permission.

Airsoft replicas are legal in Belgium. Devices that launch a projectile without gunpowder are not considered firearms if they have a muzzle energy below 7.5 joules and meet specific size requirements.

Purchase and possession are restricted to persons aged 18 or older. Airsoft games are generally organised on private land, subject to local regulations. Environmental rules often require the use of biodegradable BBs.

Airsoft is legal in Bulgaria and airsoft guns are treated as air guns under the law. No licence or registration is required. There are no statutory limits on muzzle energy.

Persons under 18 years of age may use airsoft guns with parental permission.

Airsoft guns are classified as Category D weapons under Act No. 119/2002. They may be purchased, owned and used by persons aged 18 or older without a licence or permit.

Use in public places where it could endanger people or property is prohibited. Airsoft replicas are commonly understood to be limited to 16 joules, although this limit is not always explicitly stated in legislation.

Airsoft guns are exempt under Danish weapons legislation. Purchase, possession and transfer are limited to persons aged 18 or older. No firearms certificate is required.

Airsoft replicas must be transported concealed in a bag or case. Use is generally permitted on approved sites or with appropriate permission.

Airsoft replicas are not classified as firearms. Persons under 18 require written consent from their legal guardians.

When transported in public areas, airsoft replicas must be covered (for example, carried in a case). Permission from the landowner is required to play airsoft.

Airsoft replicas with a muzzle energy of up to 2 joules are legal. Persons under 18 may only purchase or use replicas with a maximum energy of 0.08 joules.

Carrying replica firearms openly in public is prohibited. Permission from the landowner is required to play airsoft.

• full auto guns - max energy 0,5J (~232 FPS) – classified as toy weapons (14+)
• single auto guns - max enegy 7,5J (~232–899 FPS) – 18+, “F in a pentagon” marking required

Airsoft replicas with a muzzle energy below 0.5 joules are classified as toy weapons and may be used by persons aged 14 and over.

Airsoft replicas with a muzzle energy between 0.5 and 7.5 joules require the “F in a pentagon” marking and may only be purchased and possessed by persons aged 18 or older. Fully automatic firing is not permitted above 0.5 joules.

Transport must be in a locked container. Certain accessories, such as weapon-mounted lasers, are prohibited.

Airsoft replicas are generally treated as air guns and are not classified as firearms. While airsoft is legal, the legal framework is not very specific, and organised airsoft activities are usually conducted through clubs or private events.

• max energy limit: 1J (~328 FPS)

Under the Criminal Justice Act 2006, airsoft replicas with a muzzle energy of up to 1 joule are not classified as firearms.

Devices exceeding 1 joule are legally considered firearms and require licensing.

• max energy limit: 1J (~328 FPS)

Airsoft replicas with a muzzle energy of 1 joule or less are not classified as firearms and are treated as toys under Italian law.

They may be freely bought, sold, imported and shipped, including via the internet.

Airsoft replicas are regulated under national weapons legislation and require a personal user certificate.

Airsoft replicas may be purchased only by persons aged 18 or older. No registration or licence is required.

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.

• Bolt-action sniper rifles: 2.3 joules (~499 FPS)

• DMR: 1.7 joules (~430 FPS)

• AEG: 1.2 joules (~360 FPS)

• must be member of a NABV

Airsoft replicas are regulated by law and ownership requires membership in the Dutch Airsoft Sport Association (NABV). Applicants must pass a police background check.

Foreign players may participate with a temporary exemption issued by NABV.

• max energy 3J (~568 FPS)

Persons must be at least 18 years old to purchase airsoft replicas. Minors may use airsoft guns with parental consent.

Airsoft replicas with a muzzle energy up to approximately 3 joules are permitted without a firearms licence.

• max energy 17J (~1,355 FPS).

Airsoft replicas are legal and treated similarly to air guns. The maximum permitted muzzle energy is 17 joules.

Purchase is limited to persons aged 18 or older. Carrying airsoft replicas openly in public places is prohibited.

• max energy 1.3J (~374 FPS).

• 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.

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.

• max energy 15J (~1,272 FPS).

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.

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 have a valid defence to buy an airsoft replica (typically an UKARA id)
• energy max 1.3J for automatic guns (~374 FPS)
• energy max 2.5J for non-automatic guns (i.e. bolt action rifle) (~519 FPS)

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.