wwii axis reenactment forum

Hi,

Does anyone out there know why very few gun shops, stock UK legal blank firers suitable for WW2 German re-enactment?
Most that come on the market are second hand.
As they are not illegal, what is the problem? Do the authorities make it difficult for suppliers to import these guns to UK?
Skirmishing without a gun that goes bang is hardly realistic.
If any member is Police or Customs, I would appreciate your input.

Kommissar.

You could try applying for a F A C 1 , specifically for the purpose of reenactment - a live fire gun fires blanks , problem solved

My view is that since the VCR bill makes it a no no for other than reenactors, museums and film people etc to purchase a blank firer (with a design after about 1878 could be wrong on the date though) it is not cost effective for shops to stock something they cannot sell to the general public since we are a minority like it or not. Plus of course to import them can cause problems for the wholeslers and or shops.

Just my slant on things though

They're legal here without any permit, just have to be over 18 and yet they are just as scarce, as Crazy FG says, we're the minority in the market.

Alas I fear that it is as our Kameraden above have said. Its down to market forces rather than legal limitations.

The firearms laws in the UK are some what bizarre at times. To own a Section 1 firearm such as a K98 you need a FAC whether you intend to fire blanks or live ammunition and is strictly controlled as it should be. Own a Section 5 firearm such as a live firing MG42 without being a registered dealer and you'll spend some time at Her Majesty's pleasure... To own a replica such as a Denix MP40 you need proof of membership of a group, theatre production etc so theres an element of control there. However to buy a Deac you merely have to be 18 years old and thats it.

If I point a weapon at someone how are they to know its live, a blank firer, deac or replica? In truth they probably don't. Do that in the wrong place and you'll be having a chat with an armed response unit....

Incidentally the average Police Officer (ie non specialist officer) gets very limited training on firearms and it's not something they come across regularly in the course of their normal duties. If you are careless with your weapon of any sort, ie you leave it uncovered on the back seat of your car while you pop to the supermarket, it is likely you will be arrested and the weapons seized irrespective of whether any further legal action is taken against you.

I understand why the rules are necessary but considering that naughty people can get hold of weapons if they want and they don't care about the rules it does seem to penalise the honest person somewhat....

and if they are imported they must have 'high viz' barrels to make sure that they cannot be mistaken for 'real' guns. BF's are readily available in europe, its our GUN LAWS and VCR act that stops them being imported for re enactment use.
graham