Model Gun Qualification

*** Originally posted by 8ace ***

Hi Guys,

I was wondering how model guns are tested to confirm they meet countries firearms and safety laws .

Does the UK (or other countries) evaluate them or do they rely on information from the manufacturers and is there any official paperwork I can get hold of to show that these are legal to own in the UK?

*** Originally posted by cerwyn ***

Hiya 8ace
Have a look at this : http://www.modelguns.co.uk/mgfaq.htm
This may answer your questions?
Take care
Cerwyn

*** Originally posted by doc ***

Really the UK government is more interested in what you are NOT allowed to own, its easier to do that than to have everything sent in for testing etc.

At the end of the day if anything can be easily and readily converted to be a workable firearm then its illegal over here .
By "easily" they are talking in terms of joe public with basic tools .

You won`t find specific tables or charts saying this model or that model has passed some UK FSS test although I do know there are certain models I know various Police forces have looked at and tested and Not labelled as illegal.

It is possible the Police can come into your property at anytime (if they have reason to) and send any of your modelguns away for testing , This is done on an individual model and would also be done to any UK Legally purchased blank firing pistol you had.
The difference is that IF the person testing has seen that actual model type before then they are likely to pass it without having to cut it up .

Plus modelguns have been available in the UK since the 1970s so most Labs will have seen at least a few of them out there.

You are also allowed (by law) to be able to manufacture any actual blank firing model in the UK , however you really do have to know your onions to make sure you are not building anything that could be easily converted or you are in the doo Dah.
In re-enacting I have seen custom Steel made Brens,BARs, all sorts really and none of these have been presented for testing although I do know certain guidelines were followed in their construction.

*** Originally posted by mark ***

8ace wrote:

Hi Guys,

I was wondering how model guns are tested to confirm they meet countries firearms and safety laws .

Does the UK (or other countries) evaluate them or do they rely on information from the manufacturers and is there any official paperwork I can get hold of to show that these are legal to own in the UK?

8ace,

For the most part, Japanese modelguns are tested fairly rigidly to ensure that they cannot be converted into firearms. I do believe both the Japanese government as well as each individual manufacturer tests their modelguns to ensure that they are safe. The "SMG" and the "SPG" markings are applied to each modelgun design after it is approved. The Safe Metal Gun/Safe Plastic Gun stamp is required to ensure that the Model is inspected.

In the 1960's when the modelguns where first imported into the U.S. they where tested by the firearms section of Treasury Department (Later, in 1968, they where seperated from the treasury to become the BATF=Bureau (of) Alcohol,Tabacco and Firearms) to make sure that they could not be made into firearms. As far as I know, all of the modelguns that where submitted to the Treasury/ATF where approved for import/sale in the U.S.[/quote]

*** Originally posted by 8ace ***

Thanks for the info guys

It was just a theoretical what if..... as I have seen stories of peoples houses being searched and then had up for firearms charges (never with model guns though)

My Wa Shan M9 doesn’t have SMG on the gun, manual or the box (unless it is in Taiwanese)

*** Originally posted by 2sharp ***

In Sweden there are [quite] clear on what IS a firearm, so as long as it isn't a firearm then it's ok

As any law it has some various interpretations, some says that model guns falls under blank firers (which are illegal unless you have a permit) and thus they are illegal.
I say "no" as they don't use cartridges as they are defined per law.

Model guns are like paper cap guns, only more fun
And i have yet to fire any model gun that is remotely as loud as any blank firer.