From the 1st October 2007 the Violent Crime Reduction Act came into force in UK Law, included in this bill was new rules to Govern Airsoft in the UK. The bills affective strategy in relation to airsoft, was to prevent anyone purchasing Replica Imitation Firearms or RIF’s without intention to use them to play airsoft.
Because of the changes in Law to help protect the sport, each player must be registered as an airsofter to be able to purchase a RIF. UKARA (United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association) have the responsibility of holding the National Database and governing the system. Their rules are quite clear and they will not tolerate abuse of the system.
GASS will be issuing membership/affiliation to those players seen at GASS several times and present themselves as fair and safe players. This system now makes us responsible for confirming registration of safe players, so GASS will not just hand it's rubber stamp out to anyone. At GASS we prefer to get to know players as individuals first.
How it Works
If you wish to be registered under the GASS umbrella then come and see us on a Skirmish day. We will tell you if you have been to GASS enough for us to recognise you and what your playing style is like. Coming down once a month for 5 months isn’t good enough we need to see you more frequently, if your aiming for registration. After that it’s up to you how often you visit GASS. UKARA requests that players must visit no less than 3 times over a period of no less than two months, to qualify as a regular for registration.
We will provide you with a UKARA form which you must complete, unless you wish to print one off their website prior to your visit and fill it in. We will then confirm your player status then you must take your form to an Airsoft retailer who will process it, and have UKARA add you to the database. Once your in the database your registered.
We will also take your photo and provide you with a plastic GASS Membership ID Card so that you can present it to Airsoft stores, to verify your identity when they check your details against the database. On your card will be your UK registered Airsoft Number, which issued by GASS will be GASxxxxx and a five digit number.
GASS Membership will cost £10 as a one off payment, no thrills no perks the usual GASS way of things. We will require proof of ID and Address as UKARA's form dictates e.g. Utility Bill and Photocard Driving License. To qualify to purchase a RIF you must be 18 years of age or over, therefore GASS Membership follows these same rules. It is pointless to join GASS’ Membership scheme if you are not old enough to purchase a RiF.
It is as simple as that. For more information or to download the form to fill out prior to your next visit to GASS go to UKARA's website here. http://www.ukara.org.uk
If you wish you may register at other sites too, some airsoft venues provide affiliation schemes as well as registration. There is nothing to stop you building up a nice little card collection.
Remember we will only approve Skirmishers that we feel are safe players of the sport.
