What is UKARA & Why It Matters

UKARA stands for United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association. It is not a legal body or government entity, but rather a retailer-led scheme designed to help airsoft retailers comply with the Violent Crime Reduction Act (VCRA) 2006.

The VCRA 2006 restricts the sale of Realistic Imitation Firearms (RIFs) to those with a valid defence. UKARA provides a standardized way for retailers to verify that a customer has such a defence before selling them realistic airsoft guns.

It's important to understand that UKARA itself is not a licence or legal requirement, but rather a database that helps retailers confirm a buyer's eligibility to purchase RIFs under UK law.

The UKARA system helps retailers verify that a buyer meets the "skirmisher's defence" under the VCRA 2006. This defence exists for those who regularly participate in airsoft skirmishes at insured sites.

When you register with UKARA, your information is added to a database that retailers can check before selling you a Realistic Imitation Firearm. This gives them confidence that they are acting within the law.

The system requires you to demonstrate regular participation in the sport by playing at a UKARA-registered site at least three times over a period of no less than two months. This proves you are an active airsoft player rather than someone looking to purchase realistic-looking airsoft guns for other purposes.

Obtaining a UKARA registration involves a few straightforward steps:

A UKARA registration is typically valid for 12 months from the date of issue. After this period, it must be renewed to remain valid.

Renewal usually requires continued membership at an airsoft site, demonstrating that you are still an active player. The renewal process is generally simpler than the initial application, as you've already established your status as an airsoft player.

It's important to keep track of your UKARA expiration date to ensure you maintain a valid defence for purchasing RIFs. Many retailers will not sell to you if your UKARA has expired.

When it comes to second-hand sales of airsoft guns, the legal situation differs from retail sales. Private sellers are not legally required to check a buyer's UKARA status before selling a Realistic Imitation Firearm.

However, responsible sellers still vet buyers to protect the integrity of the sport and ensure compliance with the law. This is where The Airsoft Exchange comes in, providing a platform for responsible trading within the airsoft community.

While we don't legally require UKARA checks for private sales on our platform, we strongly encourage sellers to verify that buyers have a valid defence for purchasing Realistic Imitation Firearms. This helps maintain the legitimacy of airsoft as a sport and prevents potential legal issues.

The "UKARA defence" refers to the skirmisher's defence under the VCRA 2006, which allows the purchase of Realistic Imitation Firearms for airsoft skirmishing purposes. However, this is not the only valid defence for purchasing RIFs.

Alternative valid defences include:

• Film, Television, or Theatrical Productions: Those involved in media production can purchase RIFs for use as props.
• Museums or Galleries: Institutions displaying historical or cultural artifacts.
• Historical Re-enactment: Members of historical re-enactment groups.
• Crown Servants: Those acting on behalf of the Crown in an official capacity.

These alternative defences may require different forms of verification than the UKARA system, but they are equally valid under the law. If you fall into one of these categories, you may still be able to purchase RIFs without a UKARA registration.