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Legal Issues
Since Airsoft guns bear a striking resemblance to real firearms, there have been several laws passed to ensure the safety of Airsoft players and the rest of the populace. Here are some important points highlighted by Federal Laws regarding Airsoft guns:
- Under Federal Laws, Airsoft guns are not classified as firearms and are not subjected to the Gun
Control Act. However, in most major cities, Airsoft guns do fall in to the local legal definition of a
firearm; thus, it is subjected to applicable laws.
- Federal Law also states that an Airsoft gun must have an orange tip, with a minimum length of
6mm, to be present on the end off the barrel.
- If Airsoft guns were brandished in public, the similarity between genuine firearm and its Airsoft
replica can provoke interaction with local law enforcements personnel. For example, if one were
to use the Airsoft gun in a threatening manner, then he would be charged as if the Airsoft gun was
a genuine firearm.
- Regarding copyright issues, the trademarks on the Airsoft guns must be removed if the
manufacturers do not have an existing license agreement with the “real” firearm’s manufacturer.
Notable local and state laws:
- New York City requires that all realistic toy or imitation firearm be made of clear or brightly colored plastics; furthermore, New York City makes possession of any air pistol or air rifle or similar instrument in which the propelling force is a spring or air, unlawful without a license. See New York City Administrative Code § 10-131(b) and New York City Administrative Code § 10-131(g)(1)(a). The rest of New York State is unaffected by these laws, and there are no state regulations limiting or prohibiting airsoft.
- Michigan restricts the purchase of Airsoft guns so that they may only be purchased from a licensed retailer.
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