# Power limits and the law

In England, Wales and Scotland, with the commencement of the [Policing and Crime Act 2017](http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/3/section/125), the [Firearms Act 1968](http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/27/section/57A) has been amended to define maximum power levels that Airsoft replicas are allowed to have.

Exceeding any of these limits could ultimately result in a prison sentence, depending on what has been exceeded.

In Northern Ireland, there is no specific exception for Airsoft – in this locality the [maximum is 1J](http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/2004/702/schedule/1/crossheading/air-guns-and-ammunition/made/data.pdf?view=extent) (as in Japan, Italy), although it is the intention of UKAPU and other organisations to resume lobbying/campaigning for a 1.3J/2.5J once the situation in Northern Ireland supports such an endeavour.