Category: News

A quick PCB update – the ‘Commons voted, without incident or note, to approve the amendments as they left the ‘Lords.

We’ll let you know more when we do know more.

David, Vice Chair

To follow from a previous post in which we put forward the notion of nominating the late Mark Rasmussen of Airsoft Denmark for “Player of the Year” – it appears that he’s made it through to the final 5.

I can’t tell you how to vote, but, when voting, give some thought to the chap who lived and breathed Airsoft – and wanted to shape it, change it for the better.

Make it happen!

David, Vice Chair

I have for you folks a small update – the Policing and Crime Bill is now entering “ping pong” or “whiff whaff”, depending on how ruffled your hair is.

There’s nothing raised about the (no longer proposed, actual) Airsoft amendments within the handover document, which is a good thing. Save for any dramatics raised during ping pong, these amendments will stay, and become part of the Policing and Crime Act 2017 (presumably) when enacted.

We’ll be giving you updates as the process furthers on.

David, Vice Chair

The December UKPAU management minutes are now up to be viewed on he side. Follow the link below.

http://ukapu.org.uk/ukapu-management-meeting-minutes-december-2016

Andrew

Happy new year to everyone in the airsoft world and beyond. What a year! We’ve seen changes in laws relating to Airsoft from Hollyrood, Westminster and Brussels. Despite being a niche, small sport, airsoft has stepped forwards and made a collective voice heard. Airsoft was on the ropes but we’ve kept it alive, together. There are other lobby groups who are amazed at what airsoft has achieved this year. We punch above our weight.

Next year we could choose to go on the offensive, push out our message to the world- airsoft might look a bit scary but it is a huge positive force in people’s lives. Let the public know, we are airsofters, we are lovely people and you should come and try the most fun sport on earth!

Happy New Year!

Matt & the UKAPU team

Last month we held our AGM in Gloucester. We rented out StrikeForce CQB for a members only game and held the Annual General Meeting in the safe zone after the game. Andrew Cade, UKAPU Secretary, recorded some footage of the game which I’ve edited and uploaded onto my page.

We had a really fun game and a very productive meeting. UKAPU made a big difference to UK airsoft in 2016, but 2017 could be even bigger, with the right support.

Thanks to everyone for coming and making it work, and especially to Strikeforce. The staff were very helpful and professional all day, the site is great and they generously allowed us to use the safe zone for the AGM itself. Cheers to Super Mega Tactical Airsoft News and Airsoft Nation for coming too.

A sad note to end on, but this was the last game for Mark Rasmussen, a much loved member of the European Airsoft Community (and founder of Airsoft Denmark) as he passed away the day after the game. We were lucky to have an excellent game with him and he had some helpful input during the AGM discussion. You can see him playing in the video. Mark is much missed. Marks Mum let us know that she will be keeping Airsoft Denmark running.

Keep an eye out for the AGM game next year, hope to see you there.

Minutes for the meeting can be found here http://www.ukapu.org.uk/agm-nov-2016/

Matt Furey-King, Chair UK Airsoft Players Union

Courtesy of Airsoft Kings Airsoft Podcast, this has to be the first UKAPU patch I’ve seen being proudly worn by a dog!

Will Nowell, our previous Press Officer, gave them an interview earlier this year, you can check it out here https://soundcloud.com/airsoft-kings-podcast/s2-ep9-will-from-ukapu-explains-the-current-happenings-is-novritsch-a-cheater (Will got a little muddled on the section 5 thing, its still the big issue facing UK airsoft).

The Press Officer position is vacant by the way, as are a few other roles, so drop us a PM if you are interested in giving some of your spare time to help keep UKAPU doing what it does.

Matt

A small update to the breaking news posted earlier in the week – proposed amendments we mentioned earlier have been passed into the final bill unopposed – which, to summarise things, have cleaned up the definition of what an airsoft gun is, and, for the first time, official recognition that 8mm airsoft guns are believe it or not, airsoft guns.

For those who wish to inspect the Hansard, feel free to click https://goo.gl/zgNf7P – it will take you to the lengthy passage which encompasses contains the changes.

~ David, Vice Chair

Let’s Make Mark Rasmussen ‘Player of the Year’.

Many of you will have heard that Mark suddenly passed away a few weeks ago. He was a hard driving community leader, nice guy and superb player. Popular Airsofts annual players choice awards have come around again so we think it would be a nice gesture if the community gave Mark the ‘player of the year’ award.

Please click the link below, put any other nominations down that you want to put in, and then put Mark down for Player of the year. Nomination period ends 30th December.

Like and share this post. Let’s use that potent airsoft social media power to make more good things happen!

Nominate Mark Rasmussen

Category- Special Airsoft Player Award

http://playerschoice.popularairsoft.com/

Hello everyone ,

I’m really sorry about any delays on sending out your patches

This is the back log well over 200 patches in that pile and spent over 3 hours going through unfortunately this has been the only time I’ve had to do these and thats with two people doing

Once again I’m sorry if it’s taken so long and I will be pass this big task on to someone new it’s been a pleasure doing this for you guys 👍🏼

Lee Dempsey

UKAPU Register