(1)An “airsoft gun” is not to be regarded as a firearm for the purposes of this Act.
(2)An “airsoft gun” is a barrelled weapon of any description which—
(a)is designed to discharge only a small plastic missile (whether or not it is also capable of discharging any other kind of missile), and
(b)is not capable of discharging a missile (of any kind) with kinetic energy at the muzzle of the weapon that exceeds the permitted level.
(3)“Small plastic missile” means a missile that—
(a)is made wholly or partly from plastics,
(b)is spherical, and
(c)does not exceed 8 millimetres in diameter.
(4)The permitted kinetic energy level is—
(a)in the case of a weapon which is capable of discharging two or more missiles successively without repeated pressure on the trigger, 1.3 joules;
(b)in any other case, 2.5 joules.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 57A inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 2.5.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 125(5), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 4(b)