Are Airsoft Guns Illegal? What You Should Know

Are Airsoft Guns Illegal? If you’re living in the United States and are a fan of airsoft guns, you may have heard about the legal troubles that airsoft gun owners face. Many people don’t understand why airsoft guns are illegal in most states, but it’s actually not that complicated.

We’ve done a little bit of research and found seven reasons why airsoft guns are illegal in the U.S., with some helpful tips on how to avoid legal trouble.

Why airsoft guns are illegal in most states – Are Airsoft Guns Illegal

In the United States, airsoft guns are not considered firearms and are legal in most states. However, California, New York, and Massachusetts ban the sale of airsoft guns that shoot plastic pellets. Guns are also illegal in Chicago, Washington D.C., and Baltimore. A few states require airsoft guns to be brightly colored to differentiate them from traditional guns.

Why airsoft guns are legal in Canada and the UK – Are Airsoft Guns Illegal

Airsoft guns are considered replica firearms. The laws governing air guns in Canada and the UK are much more lax than those governing real guns. This is due to the difference in the way the law defines a firearm. If you own, operate, or trade in an air gun you will be breaking the UK or Canadian gun laws.

Some states also view air guns as machine guns, even though they do not come close to being considered machine guns in US law. For this reason, even if you are outside of the US and only intend to visit one of the listed countries, it is advisable to confirm the legality of your purchases before leaving the U.S. If you’re unsure, we recommend checking out the U.S. laws on airsoft guns with a well-known airsoft legal website such as airsoft Inc.

If you are unsure whether a particular supplier is selling legally in the UK or in Canada, it probably won’t hurt to find out; just Google their name and phone number. For example, “PP airsoft store” is a well-known retailer in the UK and they do not sell real American Arms anywhere in Canada.

This is a quick and easy way to find out the legality of an individual or company’s products in your specific destination country. That being said, you’re not fully protected from all legal risks when you are visiting another country if you do not know the rules set by that country.

There are certain things that may give you an opportunity to bypass certain restrictions. Condoms, for example, could be considered aids for war and could therefore be exempt from restrictions.

Note: 

Before you purchase any airsoft gun, check to see if it falls into the list below. Some of these restrictions will apply to almost any airsoft gun you purchase, but others may not apply to your particular purchase or purchase location. This is because each country has its own particular laws and these laws could change over time.

Why airsoft guns are legal in some states but not others – Are Airsoft Guns Illegal

Contrary to popular belief, Airsoft guns are legal in a number of states. However, the laws and regulations vary by state. As a general rule, airsoft guns are legal in any state where paintball guns are legal.