Should I get a firearms licence to legally play airsoft?? (I'm 16)

[luke]

Hi guys,

I'm currently 16 (17 in may) and Iv'e always been interested in playing airsoft properly. So I finally got my act together and bought a half-decent gas blowback BB pistol (well, my dad did because im under 18). Anyway, to my dismay I find that I cant join/play unless I have a firearms licence or am over 18 :mad:. So... the big question. Should I commit myself and get a firearms licence (about $120 i think) in order to play airsoft?? OR wait another 14 or so months untill I'm 18 so I can play without one?

Any help from airsofters would be really great .
Cheers,
Luke.

p.s I dont have that much $$$ so 120 is quite a large sum for me. Oh yes and by the way, I'm not one of those idiots you see on the news about taking the gun out in public and having the armed offenders squad called in. I have shot many different (and some exotic) real firearms and know my way around them. Just letting you guys know :) Thanks again

[Mouse]

If you want to play you will need a firearms licence. Once you have that you would be more than welcome at TAG :D (Christchurch based airsoft club)

[EasyGoer]

Really it depends on how much you want to play Airsoft, if you want it enough then the $120 would be a investment in some damn good fun with a great bunch of people. A Firearms licence is a good thing to have for a number of reasons besides Airsoft.

[Bane]

Really it depends on how much you want to play Airsoft, if you want it enough then the $120 would be a investment in some damn good fun with a great bunch of people. A Firearms licence is a good thing to have for a number of reasons besides Airsoft.

Just to expand on what EasyGoer has said

It doesent just mean you can own Airsoft rifles, it means you can own low-powered rifles (Up to a .22 Magnum) which means you can happily go target shooting etc.

Once you turn 18 it opens up avenues to get .308's etc.

As much as i love airsoft, i wouldnt be able to play if i didnt get my, as my boss calls it, "Gun Nut Fix" and there's nothing quite like the smell of Cordite, or the sound of a .45 ACP, or even a .338 Lapua

[luke]

Thanks Bane.

I diddnt really think about the other opportunities it (licence) opens up for me. (.22's etc)

Trouble is, I dont have any need for buying real firearms as I often have the chance to use rifles at a farm that a friend of my dad owns.

Plus we already have a decent slug gun at home, so that fulfills all my plingking needs if you know what I mean. So basically, getting a licence is only to meet the requirements of the NZ law regarding airsoft.

[alveo]

What matters is how badly you want to play airsoft? Is it worth $120? Personally, if i was 16, I would get it.

You take their test and that's it, the licence lasts ten years and you dont need to retake the test when you renew (i think). Even if you dont feel the need to own a firearm now, you might want to in the future.

[boggis the cat]

The actual law (or interpretation of it) seems to have changed recently. Paintball has always allowed kids to play, although that has always been illegal. That seems to have changed now with provision for indirect supervision on controlled sites (paintball fields). The age limit for paintball seems to be 14 years, too. (If I recall correctly.)

Maybe wait for a couple of months and see what the deal is for airsoft. ASNZ has scheduled a meeting (and rescheduled a few times) with Police and Customs officials in order to get a formal set of requirements concerning airsoft operation and allowable equipment.

Once this has been done we will know exactly what we can do, and it may be that some clubs will have good enough areas to be designated "fields" and so they could offer the opportunity to play airsoft to those currently under age. There is no guarantee of that, I am just mentioning it.

[Stolli]

Luke, If you are using any form of firearm on that farm, unless someone is vertually holding your hand as you do it you are breaking NZ firearms regulations. If you get a licence you can go about the farm by yourself and things are all good. I came from a farming background too so I know what you say about plinking n stuff. Things are a tad different in the hills I know, you don't tend to worry about the law too much but it would be good for you to get one. One of the annoying things is having the gun safe or lockable cabinet of some kind. If Dad already has that sorted then cool but it is a requirement of the licence so that will eat into your budget some more.

Other option is stay in contact with your local club and wait it out till you can be lablled as a responsible 18 year old - much easier.

[luke]

I am always under direct supervision from the farms owner so its all good. It's just that if I dont get the licence, and wait it out 'till I'm 18, I may have lost interest in the sport by that time. So yea, it's sortof a gamble.

Also, I understand that many clubs let new players have a few rounds to see if it's rite for them. Do you think they would let me have a round or two, just to see if it's worth getting the licence? (I'm sure it would only take 1 and i'd be hooked, but I just want to make sure) Or are they strict with that kind of thing- seeing as I wouldnt have my licence at that stage?

[rambo]

Once you get your firearms licence it allows you to own and use any type of A cat firearem, 308's shotguns etc, you are not limmited to a 22 as bane stated

[Bane]

Once you get your firearms licence it allows you to own and use any type of A cat firearem, 308's shotguns etc, you are not limmited to a 22 as bane stated

I'm not too positive if there have been any changes but the last i heard if you were under 18 and applying for a firearms licence it meant you could only own a .22 or similar low-powered rifle.

It makes more sence than letting 16 year olds go out and buy a .45-50 Nitro Express the minute they get their licence.

[luke]

Hey rambo,
I see that you are 16, do you play airsoft? If you do was it worth getting the licence? Or did you already have it for actual firearms etc

[ALIAS]

Once you get your firearms licence it allows you to own and use any type of A cat firearem, 308's shotguns etc, you are not limmited to a 22 as bane stated


^^

and luke, if you havent already pm csg or tag about setting up some sort of club visit.
even if you can play im sure you can fondle some goods and watch

[Bane]

I am always under direct supervision from the farms owner so its all good. It's just that if I dont get the licence, and wait it out 'till I'm 18, I may have lost interest in the sport by that time. So yea, it's sortof a gamble.

Also, I understand that many clubs let new players have a few rounds to see if it's rite for them. Do you think they would let me have a round or two, just to see if it's worth getting the licence? (I'm sure it would only take 1 and i'd be hooked, but I just want to make sure) Or are they strict with that kind of thing- seeing as I wouldnt have my licence at that stage?

Double-post. YAY!

I'm pretty sure if they were standing right next to you and letting you have a few shots with the gun (Direct supervision) nobody would mind. Dont quote me though

[Amoki]

p.s I dont have that much $$$ so 120 is quite a large sum for me. Oh yes and by the way, I'm not one of those idiots you see on the news about taking the gun out in public and having the armed offenders squad called in. I have shot many different (and some exotic) real firearms and know my way around them. Just letting you guys know :) Thanks again

... $120 is only approximately 10% of the amount of money you will eventually end up spending to properly kit up yourself for airsoft skirmishing. If you have trouble spending that amount, it may be wise to save up for one more year before you actually play airsoft. Just a simple BHI Omega-type vest, camo, a GBB + mags + accessories , a holster, a decent load-bearing belt, a decent pair of boots, a set of proper airsoft skirmish glasses and/or a set of goggles, and a primary gun + mags would easily cost you around $1000, and that's a big "if" you find everything that works for you in one go :o

[Dorian]

Luke you would be more than welcome to come out on a saturday. we would let you fondle the guns and have a shoot on the range at the very least, ot see how awesome our sport is :P

[luke]

Luke you would be more than welcome to come out on a saturday. we would let you fondle the guns and have a shoot on the range at the very least, ot see how awesome our sport is :P

Unfortunatly I play cricket all day saturday for my school so Sunday is my only free day :(

[boggis the cat]

You should contact TAG, then, as they play on Sunday.

PM Mouse who posted in the thread above. (He should be able to put you in contact with whoever TAG have as their noob liaison person. :))

[luke]

You should contact TAG, then, as they play on Sunday.

PM Mouse who posted in the thread above. (He should be able to put you in contact with whoever TAG have as their noob liaison person. :))

Yes already have done that. Sent a PM to ADLER and he said I could possibly come out next Sunday for a look-see. Fingers crossed :D