<P> As a result of the crackdown by the authorities and negative social sentiments from various moral entrepreneurs, airsoft is in effect banished from the public eyes, and domestic manufacturers and importers have become essentially extinct . However, despite all the negativities against the sport, many people (even some police officers) still take risks to acquire airsoft replicas (often bought from Hong Kong, then secretly smuggled back into the Mainland via Shenzhen). To avoid the government tracing online, various underground airsoft community forums often refer the commonly seen battery - powered automatic airsoft guns as "electric dogs" (Chinese: 电 狗; pinyin: Diàn Gǒu, playing a joking near - homophone on the English word "gun") or "pets" (Chinese: 宠物; pinyin: Chǒng Wù). Alternative MilSim activities using gel ball shooters (similar to Maya's Xploderz) or even foam dart shooters (similar to Hasbro's Nerf Blaster) as replacements have also became increasingly popular . </P> <P> There has also been ongoing debates in the blogosphere against the official "1.8 J / cm" definition, since the pre-2008 Chinese criteria defined that a minimal muzzle - ratio kinetic energy (MRKE) of 16 J / cm was needed to breach human skin at close range and hence qualifiable as a real firearm--9 times higher than the current standards . In comparison, the maximum MRKE allowed for replica guns in Hong Kong is at 7.077 J / cm, Taiwan at 20 J / cm and Japan at 3.2 J / cm, while most other countries like Germany and United States are often at up to 78.5 J / cm (though with restrictions on minimal engagement distances). Some netizens even accused the legislative and law enforcement authorities of procrastinative / corrupt practices because it is much more convenient for police officers to claim commendations and promotions from picking on soft targets such as the generally law - obiding toy gun owners, rather than risking violence to confront the often threatening real criminals . This sentiment was often reinforced by reports of selective enforcements, where offenders of special backgrounds (foreign nationals, ethnic minorities, political / social elites and associates) were given significantly lighter penalty than other average citizens . Some legal academics and lawyers have also pointed out that the Ministry of Public Security, who solely dictated the above - mentioned definition on real guns vs. replicas, is a law enforcement body but not a legislative one, and thus has no jurisdiction in defining legal standards, meaning that the current replica gun standard is in fact unconstitutional . </P> <P> Airsoft replicas fall into the D category of weapons and to buy one, users have to be at least 18 years old . The maximum allowed muzzle velocity for various categories of rifles by Croatian Airsoft Federation are: </P> <P> AEG - 1, 49J (joules) - max 1, 56J Machinegun - 1, 49J (joula) - max 1, 56J DMR - 2, 32J (joules)--max 2, 42J (minimum allowed range of action is 20 m, mandatory sidearm and integrated optics to enlarge) Bolt - action - 3, 34J (joules) - max 3, 46J (minimum allowed range of action is 30 m, mandatory sidearm and integrated optics to enlarge) </P>

Can i own a bb gun in uk