Who are UKARA ?
UKARA are a group of Airsoft retailers who have formed an association to protect their businesses and enable the sale of Realistic Imitation Firearms ( RiF's) to the newly restricted recognised and approved customers resulting from the Violent Crime Reduction Act (VCRA).
Why have they set up the UKARA Scheme ?
Under the new act it is the responsibility of the seller to verify that the purchaser is approved and they may be prosecuted if they fail to do this with due diligence.
How will the UKARA scheme do this ?
UKARA has set up an Independent Data Base which will be used to list eligible purchasers and allow UKARA retailer members to check sale recipients are bona fidi.
Who are the eligible purchasers ?
The only groups of persons now allowed to purchase RiF's are Film,TV, Museums, Theatres, Crown Servants, and persons engaged in Re-enactement activities, and airsoft skirmishing. All these purchasers must be over 18 years of age.
What must Re-enactment people and Airsoft players do to show the are bona fidi ?
Both these groups must show that their activities are covered by third party liability insurance and that they are over 18, in the case of Airsoft Players they must also show that they are regular players at an accredited game site. Which means they must be a member of a game site with the appropriate Airsoft Insurance cover.
How do players become members of an approved game site and eligible to buy RiF's ?
The games site has to record you as a member and preferable issue you with a membership card.
To qualify as an “airsoft skirmisher” you must be a regular player at that game site having attended not less than 3 time in not less than 2 months.
Why the UKARA scheme ?
The UKARA scheme allows certified game sites to join a list on the UKARA web site to show they are participating in the UKARA scheme, this then means that they can approve UKARA player application forms, the game site having been registered and issued with a validating stamp and recognised signature.
Why is this an advantage ?
If the player downloads a Player application form from the UKARA web site he can have this confirmed by his UKARA registered game site and then send it to any UKARA retailer with his first order who will then enter the players details on the UKARA Data base. This then means that he can then order from any UKARA member retailer and providing he includes his UKARA game site numbers he can be verified and thus sold to.
My game site is not on the UKARA game site list can I still register with UKARA ?
No if your game site is not on the UKARA list then you cannot get you player form validated you would need to wait till your site joins or go to a UKARA approved game site.
Will UKARA use my personal information for other purposes ?
No, your information is protected under the DATA protection Act and may not be divulged to any third party unless authorised by you, if you are at any time unhappy you may have your details expunged from the record. It is only there to allow retailers to confirm you are eligible to purchase.
Can I have my RiF sent to a different address
No, Rifs must be sent to the registered postal address of the player.
How do I purchase from a UKARA dealer at their shop premises
If you take suitable ID such as a drivers license passport etc. along with your UKARA Players number the retailer can check that you are the registered buyer by checking the Data system.
What do I do with my players application form?
Once you are a member of a UKARA game site and have been a regular there for more than two months, having played at least 3 times, you can get your form verified and then send it off with your next order to a UKARA retailer.
You will have to do this by post and if your actual order is via the net or phone make sure you reference the two together, posting a day in advance of your order would probably also help.
Your form can be sent to a Core or Associate retailer it makes no difference.
When they process your order they can add you to the DATA base, and once this has been done you can order from any UKARA retailer quoting your UKARA site membership number. RiF's will only be send to your registered address