The latest Pre-Registration Newsletter is now available to be viewed.

Newletter #3

Recently discussion was created on a known Airsoft Forum, ‘Zero In’ around Police investigations whilst traveling to and from game days.

‘RockinRobin’ a well known user on the forum and supportor of AOBA, has taken the time to contact the ACPO, ‘Association of Chief Police Officers’ to obtain claification on this, and has kindly given permission for us to provide this information on our website.

Many thanks to RockinRobin for his continued efforts.

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As was mentioned on a thread some time ago, I’ve written to the Association of Chief Police Officers in an attempt to clarify the situation regarding the transport of our guns to and from games etc.

Basically, they suggest that we carry our proof of defence (either site membership cards, UKARA form or some form of site-stamped log book), contact details for the site and printed confirmation of a booking (or a printout showing that the site does walk-ons).

As they have said, the question of whether we would be arrested for having an imitation firearm in public (under the Firearms act 1968), would depend on us proving to the officer who stops us that we are genuine skirmishers with a valid reason for transporting the guns at that moment in time. Prove that we are on the way to a game (or a shop, or a private sale etc etc) and we will be OK, fail to prove it and we will be arrested. Even if arrested, prosecution would be unlikely if we could prove that we were genuine, but just couldn’t prove it at the side of the road.

They don’t see much point in some form of card that you can show to the officer who stops you, unless English is not your first language and they may not understand you, but personally I’ll still carry something in writing explaining what I have with me (and why) to use if I feel the officer may miss-hear me due to traffic noise.

Equally, they don’t see the point in carrying any form of proof of the relevant legislation, but I believe the ACPO/Gun Trade Association or ACPO/BASC leaflets explain the skirmishing defence very well and, considering that even my local force’s firearms licencing team hadn’t heard of the skirmishing defence when I called them, I want to make sure I can convince them that I’m not a chav on the way to shoot up some kids birthday party.

Finally, they emphasis that the defence under VCRA is not a get out of jail free card in relation to the Firearms act. If we don’t have a legitimate reason to have our guns with us, we will be prosecuted.

Scans of the letter are below. Please feel free to print them for your own use

RockinRobin

Letter Part 1
Letter Part 2
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Whilst setup is going slower than originally aimed, AOBA is still present and will continue to be a place for Players to contact. This si something we have found many are already doing, when they are unsure and need assistance with Airsoft related matters.

Due to unforseen circumstances we had to slow down and are currently making sure that when we go ‘live’ that AOBA will be everything we set out to be.

Feel free to contact us on our website if you have any questions or wish to extend your hand to assist with ideas and goals we have.

Regards.
Mathew Jarmain.

After discussions with Law Express we are now pleased to announce that we have come to an agreement for Law Express to provide their Legal advice services to AOBA members at preferential rates. Law Express is the UK’s leading legal advice and online information specialist.
Law Express are able to provide advice on a number of situations be it personal or business. Below is a list of issues that Law Express can help with.

Areas of Personal law covered include:
Family law – divorce, separation, children, domestic violence and mediation
Consumer law – purchase and hiring of goods and services, credit, and problems related to holidays
Bereavement law – advice on making wills and what to do when someone dies
Motoring law – contesting fines and penalties, your legal obligations as a vehicle owner, buying and selling cars, parking tickets, speeding, and other offences and penalties,
Property law – buying, selling and renting property, rights and obligations as a neighbour/tenant
Employment law – basic statutory rights as an employee, the disciplinary procedure, redundancy and dismissal, illness, misconduct, and health and safety
Tax information, inheritance tax guidance, issues relating to self-employment, VAT and National Insurance
The Personal Law site can be accessed by clicking here.

The areas of Commercial law covered include:
Company law – Directors’ rules & responsibilities, shareholders issues, AGM’s & EGM’s
Commercial law – contract disputes, intellectual property, commercial debts, supplier issues
Employment law – obligations of the employer and procedures involved with making redundancies and dismissals, dealing with grievances and disciplinary issues
European law – how the EU regulations effect businesses and employers in the UK dealing with Europe
Tax information – Corporation tax, VAT
Commercial Site can be accessed by clicking here.

The service is available in two methods, first by an online website which is available to all, non members included with links to the service available from the AOBA website. Secondly by a telephone service available to members only. The cost of the telephone service is set at £29.95 for personal or business use (Normally £35 and £45 respectively). Members will be required to quote their AOBA membership number to verify the right to access the service at the lower rates. Those who are not members of AOBA are more than happy to utilize the service, for details on cost please visit Law Express.

All fees are to be paid directly to Law Express from the Player wishing to access the service. All complaints in regards to Law Express must be sent to Law Express directly. Retailers and Site Operators who also sign up to AOBA will be able to access the telephone service at the lower fee. Details on how to do so will be forwarded upon confirmation of sign up.

The AOBA website will be updated within the next 48 hours to reflect this news. Unfortunately at this time Law Express are unable to assist in matters around the Violent Crimes Reduction Act, however we hope this may change in the future.

Law Express Limited is regulated by the Ministry of Justice in respect of regulated claims management activities; its registration is recorded on the website http://www.claimsregulation.gov.uk Their authorisation number is CRM5919.
Your right to privacy is respected and Law Express will treat all information relating to you in accordance with their Privacy Policy and Data Protection legislation.