Quote:
Originally Posted by Showe22
I have recently purchased one of the new Novritsch SSG-24 airsoft guns.
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Airguns that are considered firearms under the Firearms Act and the Criminal Code:
- muzzle velocity greater than 500 feet per second and muzzle energy exceeding 5.7 joules.
I don't believe many airsoft guns exceed 5.7 joules, even a Novritsch sniper. I requested the 430 fps spring to be installed.
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The laws aren't written for airsoft specifically. Pellet guns in the 500 fps range are well past the 5.7j limit (for a .22cal pellet gun, 5.7j is reached closer to 400 fps).
For airsoft (using .2g BBs) you'd be in the 800 fps range to reach 5.7j, so for all practical purposes this doesn't apply to airsoft.
Beyond the 500fps/5.7j limit the airgun is considered a firearm. There's no such thing as an "uncontrolled firearm" in the criminal code: that's a CBSA term. If it's below the limit, its a non-firearm (such as an airgun). HOWEVER, if it's below 366fps (w/ .2g bb) it becomes a REPLICA FIREARM which is prohibited (illegal). Therefor as T-Cactus indicated, the number you need to be concerned about is that 366fps minimum.
ANY non-firearm (airguns, airsoft, replicas) used in the commission of a crime will be treated as a firearm. e.g., you threaten someone with an airsoft pistol on the street, it WILL be treated as if you'd used a real pistol.