Why do I need a UKARA?
So you’re just starting to get into airsoft and decide you’d like to buy your very own gun, so here’s what you need to know:
What is a UKARA?
UKARA is a database of regular airsoft players who have all got a legitimate reason for purchasing or owning a Realistic Imitation Firearms (RIF).
Each player is registered to a specific game site, (the one they play at regularly and made the original application to be added to the database). Game site owners keep a record of every player at every game and note the game dates they attend at their game site.
Mayhem London and Essex are a registered UKARA site, meaning we can register you on the UKARA database.
Each site has its own unique PREFIX
What UKARA is used for?
It is actually a criminal offense to sell a Realistic Imitation Firearm (RIF) to anyone, and therefore all retailers (and even individual sellers) potentially face hefty fines or even prison sentences if they sell Realistic Imitation Firearms (RIF's) to someone that does not have a reasonable defence or meet the legal criteria to buy one, therefore the UKARA system was born by retailers to help them identify who meets the legal criteria to buy and who does not and has helped tremendously by keeping our sport safe and above board.
These defences and criteria also apply to second-hand sales so if you are selling a second-hand Realistic Imitation Firearm ensure the purchaser has a legitimate defence to buy or meets the legal criteria (try asking for the name of their regular game site).
Defences and legal criteria can be found below:
Selling of RIFS (see section 37)
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/38/part/2/crossheading/imitation-firearms
Transporting RIFS to and From Insured and Organised Airsoft Games such as Mayhem Events London and Essex
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/2606/regulation/3/made
How to be a UKARA registered player?
Once a player who is over 18 years old completes 3 games, at the same site UKARA registered site, such as Mayhem Essex, over a 56-day period, that player can then apply to that game site owner to be registered for active status on the UKARA database.
One of two things can happen from here on in:
A)The game site owner adds that person details as "active" on the UKARA database and that player will be issued a UKARA Number with an active status will be attached to that number, the Database will then automatically send the player (and game site) an email to confirm this and the UKARA number.
The retailer adds that person details as "active" on the UKARA database and that player will be issued a UKARA Number with an active status will be attached.
The Database will then automatically send the player (and game site) an email to confirm this and the UKARA number.
This active status then allows that player to purchase Realistic Imitation Firearms (RIF's) from any UKARA participating retailer when they give their UKARA number. The retailer checks the number against the database and if active they can sell the RIF.
Should you not attend games regularly (specifics of this differs from game site to game site your UKARA number it may not be renewed and will be placed as inactive or even expired. To renew your active status, you just need to play regularly at the game site you originally applied at. Likewise, should your circumstances change, you move house etc, you need to tell the site owner you are registered with about the change, they can then update the database with your new details.
WHAT UKARA ACTIVE STATUS WILL NOT DO FOR YOU
UKARA literally only applies to the purchasing and selling of Realistic Imitation Firearms (RIF's) and not the actual ownership of one. Anyone over the age of 18 can legally buy or sell a two-tone (blue/green etc) Airsoft gun (Imitation Firearm or IF) without the need for any UKARA registration or breaking of any law.
However, if you are seen in public brandishing an Airsoft gun or Realistic Imitation Firearms (RIF), two-tone or otherwise, having a UKARA status will not stop you from either being shot by armed police units or being prosecuted, therefore always act safely and with the interest of the unaware general public in mind when transporting (RIF's) to and from a game site.
Although game sites differ, most coloured guns can be used or played with, be that realistic looking, two-tone or otherwise. Most game sites including Mayhem Events offer rental guns for the day.
An active UKARA status is NOT NEEDED to play at Mayhem London or any other game site, anyone can play if they are over the age of 12, although other sites may vary.