In the United Kingdom, airsoft replicas are classified as realistic imitation firearms or RIFs. The sale, manufacture or importation of RIFs are restricted to activities that are exempted or have been granted a defense by the Home office under the Violent Criminal Reduction Act passed in 2005 and came into force on October 1st 2007. Airsoft has been granted a defense and a skirmisher as defined under British law is allowed to purchase, manufacture or import airsoft replicas. Usually, the only accepted method of proving entitlement is to gain membership of a skirmish site that holds public liability insurance. A scheme set up by UK retailers, called UKARA, recommends that an airsoft site only give membership to a player who has played at least three games over a period of no less than two months. The right to own a RIF is still reserved to over 18's regarding they are registered.You do not need to be a UKARA registered player to purchase airsoft replicas from retailers; however, to protect themselves, many retailers will only sell to UKARA registered players. Also, players they personally know to be skirmishers will be sold to. These are because the law penalizes the seller as well as potentially the buyer.Also, the use or possession of any kind of replica weapon, loaded or otherwise in a public place is an offense under UK law. This can carry heavy penalties.