When we were just recently looking into the growth of airsoft in Malaysia in recent years, it seems that that Malaysian Government would rather move backwards as the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) announced that owners of airsoft and paintball guns surrender their guns and markers to the nearest police station. Owners are  given one month to comply or face the full force of the law.

In recent years, we have seen the Malaysia being more an active spot in airsoft in Southeast Asia, after the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia where airsoft has been very much active for years, if not  for decades. There have been growth in business in airsoft in Malaysia as we have seen in Facebook of Malaysian airsoft enthusiasts where they exchange information where to procure and play airsoft.

The problem for the players is basically the existing laws as only allowed at registered operators and clubs to possess airsoft guns and paintball markers. In short, only registered business/organisations can own such and individuals will be stuck with such establishments rather than being to move from one location or another to play with their own equipment. Players will then be dependent on equipment on the premises, and thus any plans to improve skills in airsoft and paintball gets jeopardized as players would prefer to have their own personal equipment just like other players in other countries where airsoft and paintball are legal.

It is also ironic that Malaysia just hosted Paintball World Cup Asia in recently in Langkawi.

Those found to be possessing airsoft guns and paintball markers after the grace period will be charged for violating Section 36 of Arms Act of 1960 and will be liable to imprisonment of not exceeding one year or fine not exceeding RM5,000 or both.

Many players in both airsoft and paintball communities are worried that they what they have spent on their equipment, which are always expensive, will be for naught once they surrender these without any expectation of compensation from the government.

What many would prefer is to allow players to register their guns to the Police and be given permission to carry them to different venues if they are to be regulated. This is better than the existing arrangements which would just stifle the growth and development of skills of players.

For both Malaysian Airsoft and Paintball communities, the best recourse right now is to find sympathetic ears in the legislature to make amendments to the Arms Act of 1960. In the Philippines, they recently enacted a Gun Law which has a new definition of firearms and that this excludes airsoft guns, unless used in the commission of a crime.