Yesterday, the 7th of January 2026, the Taiwan airsoft industry was rocked by the withdrawal of two members of the Republic of China Toy Gun Association (also known as the Taiwan Airsoft and Airgun Association) due to the direction of the organisation under its present leadership.

Vega Force Company (VFC) and CL Project Design formally withdrew from the organisation. Both companies held "A" status memberships, representing a substantial tier of influence within the organization. The departures were made public through official statements on social media, with VFC initiating the announcement and CL Project Design following shortly thereafter.

Here are the statements from VFC and CL Project Design posted on Facebook with their rough translation in English using Google Translate:

Wei Chia International Co., Ltd. Statement

Main Purpose: Due to differences in ideology, Wei Chia International is withdrawing from the Republic of China Toy Gun Association, effective immediately.

I. From its inception, the Republic of China Toy Gun Association upheld the principles of shaping and maintaining a positive image for toy guns and promoting safe and legal recreational shooting games. Its goal was to promote safe and legal recreational shooting games with a power of less than 2 joules. This principle has long been recognized by the domestic industry and the player community, and it is the foundation for our participation in association exchanges and cooperation.

II. However, the Republic of China Toy Gun Association's direction over the past year has included enacting a Weapons Management Act to replace the Guns and Cannons Act, and recently, strongly promoting riot guns as self-defense equipment. Regardless of whether the open use of such products will cause legal disputes, this has significantly deviated from the promotional direction and founding principles emphasized at the association's inception, and is also inconsistent with Wei Chia International's long-standing promotional philosophy and corporate values.

III. Regarding the association's public promotion and sale of riot guns, our company must raise serious concerns: Riot guns are equipment with specific high-risk social uses. Openly advocating the use of riot guns as self-defense equipment without considering legal implications could lead to public safety concerns and social controversy, and even result in stricter restrictions imposed by government authorities on the overall airsoft industry, ultimately harming the long-term interests of legitimate manufacturers and existing channel members. Therefore, our company believes that if the association begins to focus its sales and promotion on equipment with riot control or self-defense attributes, it will have an irreversible negative impact on the efforts made over the years in the domestic low-energy toy gun market, contradicting the positive social image the association has strived to build.

IV. VFC International Co., Ltd. has always been committed to maintaining a positive industry image and avoiding associating its products with high-risk or potentially negatively perceived equipment. Based on the aforementioned significant differences in principles and serious concerns about the association's development direction, after careful internal evaluation, our company has officially decided: VFC International Co., Ltd. will withdraw from the Republic of China Toy Gun Association, effective immediately.

Looking ahead, Vega Force Company will continue to serve its existing domestic and international channel partners and professional group clients, and will focus on developing product lines that align with Airsoft's low-power philosophy. The company expresses its sincere gratitude to all distributors, partners, and player communities who have long supported VFC; related business cooperation and after-sales service will not be affected by this resolution.

Vega Force Company, Inc. 
General Manager: Shih-Che Kung 
Date: January 7, 2026 (Republic of China Year 115)

To: Chairman, Toy Gun Association of the Republic of China
Subject: Application to withdraw from the Association

Respects:

CL Project Design currently serves as a director of the Toy Gun Association of the Republic of China and has been involved in its related affairs for many years since joining the association. During the period, the Company has always maintained its support for the purpose and vision of the Association and devoted considerable effort to the relevant affairs.

However, after a prudent evaluation, based on the overall effectiveness, resource allocation considerations and planning for future development directions, it was deemed that continued participation was no longer in line with the Company’s expectations and role positioning.

Clarence Lai, the representative of CL Project Design, hereby formally declares our withdrawal in writing to your association effective January 7, 2026. We kindly accept and assist in the relevant withdrawal procedures. From the effective date of withdrawal, he hereby waives all rights and obligations as member of the Association and at the same time cease to hold the positions of director, supervisor and other related positions.

I am sincerely grateful to have been able to do my part for the industry, team and members during my tenure. This withdrawal from the association is not a negative position on the association's philosophy, but is based on considerations of current conditions and future direction adjustments.

𧫴Wish the Toy Gun Association of the Republic of China a prosperous meeting

The primary catalyst for these withdrawals appears to be the organization's recent endorsement of a domestic .50 calibre (12.7mm) riot gun that they posted on their official Facebook Page. Marketed as a non-lethal self-defence tool, the device was presented by the association as a solution for school, business, and community safety personnel. This move signals a pivot in the association's advocacy, moving away from traditional recreational replicas toward hardware designed for security and civil defence applications.

Here is the Facebook translation:

Toy Gun Association Welfare Society launches first product group purchase

#best way to respond to an emergency attack is to stay away from the scene as soon as possible. But if the duty requires more shelter time for protected civilians, better equipment is needed.

Prior to the indistinguishable change incident in NorthJet on December 19 last year, the Toy Gun Association had been working with domestic security groups and operators to develop a set of equipment that would allow security personnel to have basic defense capabilities under the existing legal framework.

The demand for this area has skyrocketed after the incident. Thanks to the domestic toy gun factory, related surrounding and supplies factories, and medical manufacturers for the great assistance, the Toy Gun Association launched its first set of products in the shortest possible time.

The main product of this set is a domestic 0.5 (12.7 MM) riot gun. Legal non-lethal self-defense equipment designed by Republic of China Toy Gun Association in accordance with domestic law and social environment for adults responsible for school, business, and community safety. features include:

#appearance : To avoid involvement in the Social Order Maintenance Act regarding "carrying toy guns similar to real guns for no good reason... "And other regulations, convenient for security personnel to carry legally, modeled on European and American practices, the use of orange slide sleeves symbolizing non-lethal weapons, and gunpowder guns have a clear distinction in appearance. (Currently using carry bags, not open)

#Structures: Ensure trustworthiness in emergency use and reduce the attractiveness of the owner or non-law enforcement officer to play, make it simple in structure, eliminate the slid action of the general gas air gun, simulating recoil force, etc. Added insurance agency to prevent children from getting wrong.

#Cylinder QuickPing Device: Air Guns are used for personal or business defense, so have gas bottles and projectiles in the magazines because you don't know when the critical incident will occur. However, gas such as CO2 or gas is not suitable for long-term storage in the magazines gas chamber, as high pressure gas and acidity can destroy the air tightness of the gas rubber ring. Therefore, air action guns designed for safety and response purposes must have a "Stories" device, that is, the cylinder is usually installed in the magazine, but it needs to shoot the story device when shooting, and then pull the trigger after shooting.

#Land of Origin: Taiwan.

#Certification: This product is certified by Republic of China Toy Gun Association as follows:

The product specifications meet the requirements of appearance, structure, caliber, volume and pierced device.

Tested kinetic energy below 20 joules/square cm2 for non-lethal, non-controlled products. (Total kinetic energy of this model is 8 joules, kinetic energy per unit area 6.32 joules/sqcm)

The manufacturer's packaging is complete, certified not made in China, and after-sales repair services are provided by the Toy Gun Association's designated manufacturer.

Gun body can be used to match demand unit with laser or engraving for moving identification tracking.

along with associated carry straps, supplies and emergency medical supplies such as tactical tourniquets and umbilical cord. Please see the picture or official website for the complete product introduction.

Suitable for: Security practitioners with qualified training and adequate legal education, or able-bodied adults who are not employed by security companies, but have a safe position for their families, communities, and workplace.

The total market price of this product set is about 11600 yuan, the group purchase price is 9600 yuan (excluding tax). The amount includes a small return to the association to enrich the meeting budget. Due to limited staff, we will find the association's member channels and relevant training units for registration pre-order. If relevant information is confirmed, please pay attention to the message.

An industry source we contacted said that this friction is the culmination of a long-standing issue within the Republic of China Toy Gun Association. Whilst the association was founded to support the airsoft and toy gun sector, a faction of its leadership has reportedly sought to expand into the airgun and self-defence markets. This shift in focus has met with resistance from manufacturers who prioritise the recreational and collectible nature of airsoft products.

According to the industry source, the current leadership of the organisation is identified with the faction supporting the development of higher-powered airguns. Critics within the industry argue that the association’s resources and platform are being leveraged to promote a specific agenda that does not align with the interests of the broader membership. This perceived misuse of the association’s mandate has created an internal rift.

A central concern for companies like VFC and CL Project Design is the potential for regulatory "category creep." In Taiwan, airsoft replicas are governed by specific legal frameworks that distinguish them from more powerful air weapons. Manufacturers fear that by associating with riot guns and high-energy airguns, the entire industry may be reclassified by the government, leading to more stringent oversight and the possible prohibition of airsoft products.

The legal status of riot guns remains a sensitive issue in Taiwan. By promoting a .50 calibre riot gun, the Republic of China Toy Gun Association may be navigating a legal gray area that many established airsoft brands find commercially and reputationally risky.

The withdrawal of VFC and CL Project Design may be the beginning of a larger exodus. Our source indicates that other companies have previously expressed dissatisfaction with the association’s direction. The recent public departures provide a precedent for other members who are wary of being linked to the self-defence sector, suggesting that more withdrawals could occur in the coming weeks or months.

From an editorial perspective, the situation highlights a fundamental identity crisis within the organisation. The association must decide whether it serves as a representative for recreational toy manufacturers or as a lobby for a broader range of pneumatic weapons. As long as the leadership pursues the latter, it risks alienating the core manufacturers that established Taiwan as a global hub for airsoft production.

The fallout from these withdrawals will likely impact the Republic of China Toy Gun Association’s influence domestically. As major stakeholders distance themselves from the association’s current trajectory, the organization may find its collective bargaining power with the government diminished. The industry now faces a period of realignment as manufacturers seek new ways to represent their specific interests without the complications of the self-defence market.