• Military combat situations are some of the most popular airsoft games.Airsoft Scene image by DanielC from Fotolia.com
  
  Airsoft games are popular in North America; most games are played much like paintball and focus on military combat. Although most people consider airsoft guns to be toys, Canadian law is not clear about whether the guns are legally firearms. Always talk to a lawyer or local authorities before purchasing and using an airsoft gun in Canada.
  
  

Legal Definition

• Canadian law is relatively unclear on how airsoft guns should be defined---as a firearm, replica firearm or not a firearm at all. A fact sheet issued by the Canadian government on February 10, 2004 states that any barreled weapon that shoots a bullet and can cause significant harm is considered a firearm. Because of the ability of an airsoft gun to cause injury to the face or eyes, some officers of the court consider airsoft guns to be firearms. But if an officer of the court does not consider the danger of airsoft great enough to be considered a firearm, the court may, according to Criminal Code 84.1, consider airsoft guns replica firearms. A replica firearm is anything that is constructed to accurately resemble a real firearm. Airsoft guns are built to look like firearms. However, it is required of replicas that they are not capable of causing harm. Airsoft guns are able to cause harm. Additionally, 84.3 of the Criminal Code states that any object that fires a projectile that does not exceed 152.4 meters per second is not considered a firearm.
  
  

Import and Retail

• It is currently illegal to import airsoft guns into Canada. Under an internal memo called the "D-memo," airsoft guns are considered replica firearms for the purpose of sale and importation. This means that any airsoft gun caught being brought into the country can be seized by the government and destroyed. Import can be done by licensed dealers, so it is best to buy directly from a Canadian retailer. The D-memo is not a legal document, but is instead an interpretation of legal code. Therefore, the definition provided by the D-memo is not a legal definition.
  
  

Transportation

• For purposes of transportation, airsoft guns are considered restricted or prohibited firearms. Therefore, the airsoft gun must be transported while not loaded, locked and in a locked container. If the driver of the vehicle is not with the vehicle or airsoft gun, the vehicle must be securely locked.