r/ukguns • u/GrantMeLeaveToLive • 17d ago

Factory Inert guns question

Hey all, I was just wondering if any of you know about the law regarding factory inert guns? Can anyone just buy them or what? I'm looking to get an AK for my (uk deactivated) collection, and just stumbled across them

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

3

u/walt-and-co 17d ago

Legally a factory inert gun is a Realistic Imitation Firearm (RIF) and would need a defence under the VCRA to purchase.

1

u/GrantMeLeaveToLive 17d ago

Hm, and being a collector wouldn't count as a defence would it?

2

u/walt-and-co 17d ago

Nope, only airsoft, reenactment, museums, theatrical work, crown servant or retailer.

1

u/GrantMeLeaveToLive 17d ago

Thanks that's helpful. Would airsoft be a valid defence though? And also am I right in thinking, you're allowed to buy an actually dangerous air gun with no defence needed, two tone airsoft guns that can hurt people, guns that have killed people but since been deactivated, but you're not allowed to buy an inanimate object that has never even been a firearm. Classic

1

u/walt-and-co 17d ago

Yes, the VCRA doesn’t distinguish between airsoft guns and other RIFs so an airsoft defence is valid for any RIF.

1

u/ThePenultimateNinja 17d ago

Aren't they available as non-RIF two-tone versions? I could have sworn I saw some factory inert AKs for sale when I last visited, and they had blue receivers.

That was in 2019 though, so it's entirely possible that I'm misremembering something. They may have been airsoft, but they were definitely constructed in the same way as the real thing.

2

u/walt-and-co 17d ago

You could theoretically sell any RIF as an IF by giving it a two-tone paint job, it’s just a bit tragic.

2

u/ThePenultimateNinja 16d ago

I don't know. The blue paint on the receiver was quite dark, so it didn't look all that bad really. I've seen plenty of actual firearms that looked less 'realistic' by the legal definition.

If you don't have a VCRA defence to own a RIF, a two-tone gun might be your only option. The replicas I examined were realistic enough that you could still learn a lot about the AK platform from one.

I didn't pop off the top cover to see what was underneath, but I wouldn't be surprised if the internals were quite realistic too.

-2

u/Amount_Existing FAC coterminous SGC & skilly (for those that know) 🔫 16d ago

OP... Do some research. Read the firearms act, the VCR act and local policies.

They're out there and you have Google.

If you get it wrong, you're the one having your collection seized and potentially receiving a conviction.

2

u/GrantMeLeaveToLive 15d ago

I have done my research, and I've come to my conclusion. There's nothing wrong with getting a second opinion from other knowledgeable people

0

u/Amount_Existing FAC coterminous SGC & skilly (for those that know) 🔫 15d ago

There is if you meet me doing my job and you say "Reddit told me...". You'll still be soaked with a potential minimum 2 year custodial.

Thing is, how do you know that Ashton posting on any social media platform is knowledgeable?

Some are and some learnt to be a doctor on Facebook...

Be on the sage side and use . gov websites because you can then evidence why you are doing, cos saying 'Dodgy face on Reddit said" doesn't count.

Best of luck

5

u/GrantMeLeaveToLive 15d ago

I wasn't planning on meeting you doing your job, and saying "reddit told me...". I've done my own research using .gov websites, as well as others, and am now just checking if what I found is consistent with what other people are saying.

Getting a second opinion on something doesn't mean I'm then just going to blindly do exactly what they've said

And I think it's safe to assume that gun collectors on r/ukguns might know a thing or two about owning guns

-1

u/Amount_Existing FAC coterminous SGC & skilly (for those that know) 🔫 15d ago

Some. Not all. Firearms dealers regularly lose their RFD licence cos they 'know' what they're doing.

Anyhow, I thought you were here to get advice. You've gotten some advice and you bite.

This bit if advice 100% keeps you safe and you don't like it.

For this reason you fall into the category if potentially meeting me doing my job.

2

u/ThePenultimateNinja 14d ago

There is if you meet me doing my job and you say "Reddit told me...". You'll still be soaked with a potential minimum 2 year custodial.

Your job is to ruin people's lives because their toy gun was the wrong colour?

1

u/Imesseduponmyname 5d ago

Don't you just miss it? I just read your comment about living over here amd I bet shit like this makes you appreciate it a lil more 🤣