# What is controlled by the VCRA?

s.36(1) Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 states that:

> 1. A person is guilty of an offence if— 
>     1. he manufactures a realistic imitation firearm;
>     2. he modifies an imitation firearm so that it becomes a realistic imitation firearm;
>     3. he sells a realistic imitation firearm; or
>     4. he brings a realistic imitation firearm into Great Britain or causes one to be brought into Great Britain.

But due to the following piece of legislation, legitimate airsoft skirmishers in the UK have a defence against any prosecution for anything that was listed above:

> 2. Subsection (1) has effect subject to the defences in section 37.
> 3. The Secretary of State may by regulations— 
>     1. provide for exceptions and exemptions from the offence under subsection (1); and
>     2. provide for it to be a defence in proceedings for such an offence to show the matters specified or described in the regulations.

What does this mean, I hear you ask?

If you [are someone who has played at a location that is insured for third party liability for the purposes of acting out law enforcement or military scenarios](http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/2606/pdfs/uksi_20072606_en.pdf) – or in simpler terms, you are someone who plays Airsoft, then you can do any of the above.

Legislation [differs only slightly for Northern Ireland](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/38/schedule/2/crossheading/manufacture-import-and-sale-of-realistic-imitation-firearms/data.pdf) but for all intents and purposes it is the same.