Why UKARA exists
Selling a realistic imitation firearm is an offence under section 36 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006. The seller has a defence if the RIF is for an insured "permitted activity", which the 2007 Regulations define as acting out military or law enforcement scenarios for recreation. Airsoft skirmishing at an insured site counts.
UKARA gives shops a quick way to confirm that a buyer plays at an insured site.
Is UKARA a licence?
No. People often call it a UKARA licence, but UK law has no airsoft licence. UKARA registration is evidence of your skirmishing defence.
How to get UKARA
- Be 18 or over.
- Play three games at the same UKARA-registered site. The third game must be at least 56 days after the first.
- Ask the site to register you. You fill in UKARA's player form and show ID and proof of address. The site signs it and sends it to UKARA.
- You get a UKARA number to give shops when you buy a RIF.
UKARA doesn't charge players, though your site may charge for membership. There's no legitimate way to skip the 56 days.
How long does UKARA last?
12 months from when your site registered you. After that you renew it through your site.
If you stop playing or your membership ends, the site tells UKARA.
What is a UKARA number?
The reference for your registration. Shops use it to find you on the UKARA database, and online shops usually ask for it at checkout.
Buying and selling second hand
The section 36 offence applies to anyone who sells a RIF, not only shops. A private seller needs the same defence as a shop: the buyer must be buying it for skirmishing or another permitted purpose. Asking for the buyer's UKARA number is the simplest check.
Airsoft Exchange's terms require buyers of RIFs to have a valid defence.
Owning a RIF isn't an offence. The law restricts selling, making, modifying and importing them.
Two-tone airsoft guns
A replica whose principal colour is unrealistic for a real firearm, such as bright orange or blue, isn't a realistic imitation (section 38). You don't need a defence to buy one. Selling any imitation firearm to someone under 18 is still an offence (Firearms Act 1968, section 24A).
Other defences
Section 37 gives the same defence for these purposes:
- museums and galleries
- theatre, film and television production
- historical re-enactment by insured groups
- work for the Crown
The 2007 Regulations add display at a commercial event where firearms or RIFs are sold or shown.
Common questions
- What does UKARA stand for?
- United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association.
- Can I get UKARA faster?
- No. You need three games at the same site, with the third at least 56 days after the first.
- Can I own a realistic airsoft gun without UKARA?
- Yes. The law restricts selling, making and importing RIFs, not owning them.