Calls for stricter regulation on air rifles and replica guns

THERE needs to be tighter regulation of unlicensed air rifles to prevent them falling into the wrong hands.

Sean O’Callaghan, spokesman for Irish Airsoft Association, has called for strict controls on the buying and selling of airsoft rifles.

He said the association wanted to see retailers controlled and would not be against laws which said the rifles could only be sold to club members, as is the case in Britain.

Currently, airsoft rifles, which are virtually indistinguishable in appearance from the real thing, are easily required from shops and on the internet. And despite strict regulations in other countries, they are not subject to any restrictions here.

Charlie Flanagan, Fine Gael spokesman for Justice, warned that a crackdown was needed.

“The standard of design of these rifles are quite sophisticated. Their use needs to be controlled so they are kept out of the public eye.”

Mr Flanagan said only club members should be allowed to buy the rifles, and they should be stored in the clubs too.

Earlier this year, armed detectives were called to an estate in Limerick where children as young as 13 were brandishing replicas of powerful weapons.

Gardaí warned that touting them in public could result in prosecution and reminded parents to be aware that carrying these weapons in a public place is a serious matter.

But Mr O’Callaghan said that to date, gardaí had not prosecuted anyone for this.

“The only issue with these guns is how real they look. The problem is that there are a lot of idiots out there getting their hands on them. The guards need to make an example of someone,” he said.

Airsoft rifles are not firearms by definition and are therefore not subject to the same laws but incidents of their misuse are increasing. Earlier this year there was controversy over a Bray shop selling the guns.

The shop, Go Tactical gave assurances that it would only sell to over 18 year olds, and said checks would be put in place for selling over the internet. But it has emerged this shop is selling online without age checks.

Cork Chief Superintendent, Mick Finn, has said he believes controls needed to be put in place to restrict the sale of the replica guns.

“These guns are extremely lifelike. We have received reports of them being used to carry out crimes,” said. Superintendent Finn.

“One might argue with certain justification, that if you need a licence for a real gun, the same should apply to replicas firearms.”

Licensing laws

* You must be able to prove that you are at least 18 years old and are a registered airsoft ‘skirmisher’ in Britain. No one under the age of 14 years may own or use an airsoft gun.

* In Australia, airsoft is illegal. Australian law classifies air and BB guns as “Category A” weapons, placing them in the same class as break-action shotguns and rimfire rifles, and acquiring a licence to possess them.

* Argentina banned airsoft after replicas were used in a bank robbery.

* In New Zealand, youths between the ages of 16 and 18 need a firearms licence to carry airguns, such as BB rifles, or paintball weapons.