After a recent crime wave, a proposed law in Portugal is threatening airsoft. The Portuguese Airsoft Federations are now joining forces together to ensure that the way they play airsoft shall remain the same. The proposed law, called PL222 / A will even be tougher than the previous one enacted (05/006) and will make the realism in playing airsoft less fun. It is in a way similar to the proposed VCRA of the UK, but with added teeth, such as the ban on online purchases.

The following are the points in the proposed law, which the FPA wants to contend:

• Fluorescent Painting the mandatory 50%
• Recognition of APDs by IDP and the PSP
• Approval of the Models of the Arms PSP
• Limit the power of 1.3J
• Restrictions on the Use of telescopic sights
• Prohibition of Electronic selling
  

The Portuguese groups, the FPA and the FDS, now have issued the following statement (22 September 2008) as part of their efforts to slowly curtail airsoft in Portugal (our rough translation):

"The FPA and FDS will join forces in an attempt to present our arguments and present together, a suggestion to amend the proposal to Act is also consensus that, at present, address the higher authorities in different strategies and advocating changes would be more different damaging and unsuccessful.

The Portuguese Federation of Airsoft - Authorities and the Federation of Sport Softaa - DPA met with the purpose of analyzing the current law 222 / A on the amendment of Law 05/2006 of February 23. Although these associations counterparts are justified by different approaches regarding the practices of the sport, are agreed to respect the law that governs us. Thus, both reached agreement and recognize that this law is to castrators form of Airsoft, and your understanding that, in the final result, may terminate in the territory due to charges unviable or unattainable.

In the final approach to the problem, the FPA and FDS will join forces in an attempt to present our arguments and present together, a suggestion to amend the proposal to Act is also consensus that, at present, address the higher authorities in different strategies and defending various changes would be more damaging and unsuccessful.

Briefly, the FPA and the FDS agree that:

1. The issue of mandatory in weapons paint from Softaa as dangerous to each and every agent of authority, as well as lead to a genuine challenge to the business and the act of encouraging the purchase and illegal practice in Portugal.
2. The controversial recognition of Associations Promotion of Sport by the IDP, and this has categorically rejected any and all related Airsoft Association, making the extent of the law impossible.
3. The approval of models of weapons of Softaa is something inconceivable, as the weapons themselves or conform to certain parameters such as data requirements for this new proposal.
4. The limit of power 1.3J has been a factor in hindrance to the sport of Airsoft, so there is a need to recast these limits in order to provide the already growing expansion of national athletes to practice shooting and shooting accuracy.
5. The restriction of the use of telescopic sights restricts certain activities in full by Airsoft if this method is not recognized sport. This is the point of comprehensive place on the same level as the optical sights are made for recreational practices such as Airsoft.
6. The airsofting community will see serious problems when the ban on the sale online of weapons of Softaa is in force. Additionally, this measure is a factor of disadvantage in relation to trade online from other EU countries.
7. The absence of serial numbers by more than half of the existing models of weapons of Softaa the market, makes it mandatory for the existence of such a factor highly prejudicial and improper, comparing something that could be called toy with a firearm.
8. The requirement for import licenses and export of weapons of Airsoft becomes narrow, since at the outset, are weapons that do not require a license to be acquired.

These are the eight points that the FPA and FDS will soon disclose in greater detail. Despite the disclosure of the document has been promised total for the day of Monday, the full text of that tomorrow will be submitted to various authorities in the field who will evaluate the proposals that the FPA and FDS do. This was a situation that appeared during the day today and we are certain that, despite the impatience and concern of ordinary practitioners, everyone understands that there is a possibility that the text be evaluated by people who are more inside the area and even have some power so that our proposals are accepted, it is preferable to delay by a day the publication of the full text, making sure that the text submitted and published is what best protects the interests of Airsoft in Portugal.

Regarding the petition, it will be started today and is on the content of that press release, calling on all people who print the sheet Petition (click here) and that gives the sign to any person (whether or not players). The goal is to raise the signatures until October 10, and places where the aim of collecting, in the ideal 15,000. Everyone should take part of this initiative that affects us all, publicizing it and making the collection with the utmost commitment that is possible. The leaves may be sent to complete one of two addresses:

Portuguese Federation of Airsoft, DPA
Apartado 0526816
4251-901 Porto

Or:

Sport Federation of Softaa
Viscount Palmerston North Street, 6
4440 - 708 Valongo

P'la Direcção da FPA,
Pedro Pastor"

If you want to help out, such as providing some legal input or country experiences would be helpful. So far, the UK VCRA and the Philippine IRR are some of the examples that can used by our Portuguese friends as possible foundations for ensuring the regulation of airsoft without being detrimental to the original spirit of the sport.

Airsoft federations around the world can give their letters of support and whatever support that can be provided for. Position papers, signature campaigns, and anything that you can think of would be welcomed.

You can contact the FPA via their website at http://www.fpairsoft.com/.