UK Firearm Law - Update

 UKPSF Statement on Recent Firearms Legislation Changes

The UKPSF works hard to keep up to date with changes to UK legislation that may affect the paintball industry and our members.

As we have stated previously, however, we are not lawyers, and firearms legislation can contain complex legal nuances and interpretations. To ensure that the guidance we provide remains accurate, the UKPSF has once again sought advice from the firearms barrister we use.

We have received an increasing number of requests from police forces and local authorities for information relating to incidents involving so-called “Novel Systems”, a category that can include paintball markers.

Firearms legislation has changed three times this year, and the UKPSF has worked to keep abreast of each of these changes. We have therefore asked our firearms barrister to review the latest amendments and confirm that the UKPSF’s core statement remains accurate and up to date.

The three key points

1.      The UKPSF’s core statement remains current and correct.

Our legal review has confirmed that the UKPSF’s core statement remains up to date following the latest legislative changes.

2.      UKPSF membership remains an important consideration.

The latest legislative wording further reinforces the importance of UKPSF membership as part of the defence relating to the possession of a paintball marker.

Members should ensure that their UKPSF membership remains current for as long as they own or possess a paintball marker.

3.      Do not possess non-frangible ammunition.

We strongly advise against being in possession of any non-frangible rounds, including rubber or solid projectiles.

As we have stated repeatedly: 

IF IT IS NOT SHOOTING A FRANGIBLE PAINTBALL, IT IS NOT A PAINTBALL MARKER!

The UKPSF core statement is set out below:

‘Paintball Markers of any size can only be purchased by those over 18 for use in permitted activities such as skirmishing and re-enactment at a venue where suitable third-party liability insurance is in place. Paintball markers should be fired at no greater than 300 feet per second only with frangible Paintballs and the person in possession of the Paintball marker must have an up-to-date UKPSF membership with said membership remaining in place while the Paintball marker is in your possession.’ 

Click here to see our full core statement:  

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3969115671040253943/9214214254726918963