Replica Grenade Launchers

I just thought i'd check.....

But are replica grenade launchers RPG-7, M72, M79 and the panserfaust classed as firearms under the VCR

8ace

cant swear to it but i dont think they are but will ask i guy i know who should know and get back to you

only one I would query is the M79 as it could be mistaken for a gun possibly by some genius

the rest are very non gun looking so no probs

DOC

cheers guys

just thogut i'd check as some of the laws regarding grenade launchers (deact as well as replica) are differant to gun/firearm laws...sort of

8ace

I somehow got on these guys mailing list, but take a look at their grenade launchers, I think they look great fun.
http://www.rap4.com/paintball/os/images/rap4-revolver-grenade-launcher-p-931.html

tooo much gassssss I’m not going paint balling with them

The RPG7 from modelgunsworldwide looks great but as we all know sometimes what they look like on tinternet can lead to a disappointment when they are in your hands

Has anybody had any experiences with these

8ace

Can I ask what is the law regarding paint ball rifles, pistols etc.....

I have thought long and hard and I might start doing it.. but some of those..if you click on the package deal thing.. are very realistic..

Thought I'd bring this topic up again following a discussion I had elsewhere... I'd brought up 8ace's question and got this reply:-

as what you describe is a Section V firearm under the Firearms Laws of the UK - Quote: "a mortar, bazooka, rocket propelled grenade or similar large calibre
military firearm designed to fire an explosive or projectile or any
other similar prescribed firearm;"


So a replica is a Realistic Imitation Firearm........

Is this correct

Cerwyn wrote:

as what you describe is a Section V firearm under the Firearms Laws of the UK -
Quote:
"a mortar, bazooka, rocket propelled grenade or similar large calibre
military firearm designed to fire an explosive or projectile or any
other similar prescribed firearm;"
So a replica is a Realistic Imitation Firearm........
Is this correct

It would be interesting to check the details - sometimes a small omission/extra word in law can change what happens with classification.
For starters you would need to lookup legal definitions of "firearm", "rpg", "mortar" and "bazooka".

Why?

Example: in Poland weapons are forbidden (more precisely: you need a permit, which is practically impossible to get).
You can possess airsoft/bb guns as long as they propel projectile only with compressed gas and that projectile energy is under 17J.
You can also possess a blank firer up to 6mm caliber without permits.

Now, there is a company that sells revolvers where bb is propelled by a 6mm blank.
Yep, a blank.
It seemed to be illegal, as projectile is propelled by "explosive" and should fall under firearms definition.

However, legal definition of "explosive" found elsewhere distinguishes between explosives and primers. Primer (what you find in a 6mm blank) is not considered to be explosive, as it doesn't burn - it undergoes a different chemical reaction. It is therefore legal (even if borderline legal). BB is propelled by "compressed gasses" released after primer is struck, conforming to legal definition of a bb gun. Energy is under 17J limit.
Weird, isn't it?
This contraption was tested by the Army Firearms Institute and they have concluded that this is not a weapon from legal point of view.

You can legally buy this "bb revolver" without any permit for ~100GBP in two versions: shooting either bb (steel balls) or rubber ball.

In this case, however, you have a company that stands behind the product in case you have problems. It would be probably more difficult to prove that a one-off (those are usually not mass-produced) replica RPG is not a weapon.

(PS: sorry for a partial off-topic, I hope this shows how weird laws can be)

Thanks smootik

No need to apologise, that's a very interesting point and not off-topic at all.

I did start to wonder when I saw avertisments for replica PIAT Anti Tank weapons being offered painted red to fall into the VCRA's Non Replica category, or Olive Green which would've made it a RIF and subject to the VCRA...

You're absolutely right, one word can make such a difference when applying these Laws.

Ah firearms laws..... dont you just lov'em