Editing Airsoft (section)

== Legal restrictions ==
{{Main|Legal issues in airsoft}}
Airsoft is legal in most parts of the world. Some countries have specific restrictions,<ref>Complete list of Airsoft legal requirements in the world</ref> such as maximum muzzle velocity and "unrealistic" coloring to distinguish them from actual firearms. They are legal throughout the United States, but restrictions do exist in cities like Chicago and Detroit. The states of New Mexico, New York and New Jersey,<ref>{{Cite web|last=John|date=2021-10-14|title=Legal restrictions on airsoft sports {{!}} USA & Canada|url=https://pistolzone.com/legal-restrictions-on-airsoft-sports-usa-canada/|access-date=2021-12-03|website=Pistolzone|language=en-US|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126095515/https://pistolzone.com/legal-restrictions-on-airsoft-sports-usa-canada/|archive-date=November 26, 2022}}</ref> however, do not allow airsoft guns to be used or handled publicly because of the resemblance to real firearms. They may be used on private property with the consent of the owner. The [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]] FAQ page states that Airsoft guns are considered look-alike firearms which require the special blaze orange marking.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-809?language=en_US|title=Importing a bb gun, air soft or paintball gun for my personal use |access-date=13 June 2020|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230426224424/https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-809?language=en_US|archive-date=April 26, 2023}}</ref>

=== Ireland ===
In Ireland, Airsoft guns are classified as Realistic Imitation Firearms but not restricted as much as in the United Kingdom. Under the [[Criminal Justice Act]] of 2006, Airsoft guns are legal in the Republic. One can buy, sell and import Airsoft guns without notifying relevant law enforcement authorities. They do not need to be painted in fluorescent colors, they do not need to have an orange tip, but they cannot launch the projectile with a kinetic energy exceeding 1 joule. However, carrying an imitation firearm in public is prohibited, and a gun carry case is required, as for real firearms. Airsoft shops are spread over the country, and buyers must be aged 18 or over to purchase an airsoft gun. There is no age limit on Airsoft, as long as a minor has an adult's permission.<ref>{{cite web |title=Which Airsoft Rifles Are Better For Youths vs. Adults |url=http://www.riflemasters.com |publisher=RifleMasters |access-date=19 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316230703/http://www.riflemasters.com/ |archive-date=16 March 2015}}</ref>

=== United Kingdom ===
[[File:Uk legal 2 tone glock.jpg|thumb|An example of an IF (Imitation Firearm) replica of the [[Glock 18]]c ]]
In the United Kingdom, most Airsoft guns are classified as realistic imitation firearms or RIFs. The sale, manufacture, or importation (but not gifting) of these is illegal under the [[Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006]]. A defence is allowed for selling for specific purposes<ref>{{cite web|title=Specific defenses applying to the offense under s. 36|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/38/section/37|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043325/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/38/section/37|archive-date=1 December 2017|access-date=28 November 2017}}</ref> including airsoft skirmishing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/2606/regulation/3/made |title=Later defence of 'permitted activities' which includes insured airsoft skirmishing |access-date=28 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127233550/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/2606/regulation/3/made |archive-date=27 November 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The minimum age for buying any [[Firearms policy in the United Kingdom|imitation firearm]] in the UK is 18.<ref>{{cite web |title=Most players use The British Airsoft Club (BAC) for a valid defence Q&A |url=http://www.ukara.org.uk/node/18 |access-date=13 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307184716/http://www.ukara.org.uk/node/18 |archive-date=7 March 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It is an offense to possess an imitation firearm in a public place without a reasonable excuse,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/section/19 |title=Firearms Act 1968 section 19 |access-date=28 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040813/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/section/19 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> for example traveling to, or from, or being at an airsoft skirmish site.

Most UK airsoft sites and retailers participate in the United Kingdom Airsoft Retailer Association (UKARA) registration scheme. A player who has participated in at least 3 skirmishes over a period of at least 56 days at the same skirmish site can be registered by that site. Retailers have access to the database to verify that the purchaser can provide them with a defence. The Border Agency also has access to check legality of imports.

As an alternative to RIFs, IFs (Imitation Firearms, including 'two tones') are available in the UK. These are RIFs which have been painted a bright color (excluding white/silver/gold) over at least 51% of the item. No specific defence is required for selling an IF, although the minimum age for purchasing remains 18.

=== Canada ===
In Canada, there are laws pertaining to airsoft importing. All airsoft guns that are bought in Canada are legal, but when importing it, the gun has to have between 366FPS and 500FPS to pass inspection at customs, otherwise the gun will be shipped back or destroyed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/air_gun-arme_air-eng.htm |title=Air Guns – Royal Canadian Mounted Police |publisher=Rcmp-grc.gc.ca |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=24 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060315/http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/air_gun-arme_air-eng.htm |archive-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== United States ===
Airsoft guns in the United States are sold with a federally mandated orange tip which must be 1/4 inch or longer covering the muzzle of the replica. Manufacturers and importers may cite [[Title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations]], which stipulates that "no person shall manufacture, enter into commerce, ship, transport, or receive any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm" without approved markings; these may include an orange tip, orange barrel plug, brightly colored exterior of the whole toy, or transparent construction (part 272.2, formerly part 1150.2). However, section 272.1 (formerly 1150.1) clearly indicates that these restrictions shall not apply to "traditional B-B, paint-ball, or pellet-firing air guns that expel a projectile through the force of compressed air, compressed gas or mechanical spring action, or any combination thereof."<ref>{{cite web |title=Title 15 Part 272 Marking of toy, look-alike and imitation firearms |url=http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=c7b9dfa1176c8b46b470823f9207f044&ty=HTML&h=L&n=15y1.2.2.8.9&r=PART |work=Electronic Code of Federal Regulations |publisher=US Government Printing Office |access-date=8 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106024749/http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=c7b9dfa1176c8b46b470823f9207f044&ty=HTML&h=L&n=15y1.2.2.8.9&r=PART |archive-date=6 January 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> This exempts airsoft guns from these requirements, placing them in the same category as BB-guns, pellet, air, and paintball, none of which are conventionally sold or used with an orange tip, and many of which bear as much resemblance to real firearms as airsoft guns do.<ref>{{cite web |title=Difference between airsoft and air rifles |url=http://www.pelletguns101.com |publisher=Pellet Guns 101 |access-date=23 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420000817/http://www.pelletguns101.com/ |archive-date=20 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>