Save Airsoft in the United Kingdom
Our boys in the UK are facing a crisis and they need the help of the airsoft community now. The UK government is trying to pass a new law that will prohibit the trade, sale, import and manufacture of anything that looks like a firearm in the UK. Which basically means bye bye airsoft for our UK brothers. If it can happen to the UK, it can happen to Canada, the US or any other country.

The VCR Bill: On the 8th June 2005 the government unveiled their Violent Crime Reduction Bill (VCR Bill) which if passed in its current form will prohibit by law the trade/sale/import and manufacture of anything that looks like a firearm in the UK. The sport and hobby that we all enjoy now lies in severe jeopardy.

You know I hate posting this kind of news and I am really quite pissed that to this day, governments around the world still try to take our sport away. It seems like airsoft will never be regarded as something acceptable by society no matter what we do. As terrorist attacks become more frequent, politicians are given more reason and pressure to end airsoft, and the recent terrorist attacks in London just adds more fuel to the fire. The airsoft community must unite together to make a stand, and everyone who enjoys this sport should take part to help keep airsoft alive, no matter where you are. The future of our sport depends on the united efforts of the players so please take a second to help keep airsoft alive for our UK friends.

THE START: A unified UK Airsoft body SAVEAIRSOFT.ORG - In a direct response to the problems here's a new website up online called http://saveairsoft.org/, where retailers and Airsoft companies have joined together in an effort to have the bill adjusted so that it is fairer to the people and minorities that it affects.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: The aim is simple, get as many people as possible involved and aware of the issue to contest the proposed legislation in its current form. The more individuals that contact their MPs to have their opinions heard the better.

PLAYERS: You need to spread the word and help out as much as possible. Get hold of your friends and collegues and get them involved. If your local sites or retailers (this includes responsible stores that don't simply sell Airsoft) don't know about the proposed bill let them know, print material off and take posters down to them to stick up, give them useful website addresses. Every little helps.

I strongly suggest that individuals that feel passionate about the situation make educated and worthwhile communications to their local MPs at http://www.writetothem.com, or direct to Downing Street http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/page821.asp. You can also discuss the matter on Arnies Airsoft Forums.

COLLECTORS: As a collector you will be unable to bring anything that looks like a firearm into the country and will be barred from making future purchases and private sales.

I strongly suggest that individuals that feel passionate about the situation make educated and worthwhile communications to their local MPs at http://www.writetothem.com, or direct to Downing Street http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/page821.asp. You can also discuss the matter on Arnies Airsoft Forums.

SITES: Please contact the folks at http://saveairsoft.org/ and get involved. Please distribute posters and materials at your games and put posters up. Please ensure at every event and game that everyone attending is made aware of the issues and that fact that what they currently enjoy is facing a ban right now. No one should be leaving the playing field at the end of the day and not be aware of the issue. You can also discuss the matter in our forums here.

RETAILERS: Please contact the folks at http://saveairsoft.org/ and get involved. Please distribute printed material with your sales to educate your customers about the proposed bill. Please add posters where appropriate and hand out flyers so that walk in customers know of the issues that they now face as a law abiding citizen. You can also discuss the matter in our forums here.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (Non-Airsoft): The proposed bill actually encourages the use of real firearms in crimes and does nothing to address the issues it tries to address.

Sports such as fencing, martial arts, competition shooting, target shooting, paintball and airsoft; hobbies such as historical re-enactment, model collectors, model makers, and museums; sporting stores, people’s past times, individual livelihoods and all relating industries will all be completely destroyed or severely curtailed if this new bill is passed in its current form, all under the false guise of “public safety”.

I strongly suggest that individuals that feel passionate about the situation make educated and worthwhile communications to their local MPs at http://www.writetothem.com, or direct to Downing Street http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/page821.asp. You can also discuss the matter on Arnies Airsoft Forums.

USEFUL LINKS

• http://saveairsoft.org/ - the obvious link
• Violent Crime Reduction Bill - the proposed bill it its current form
• http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alms.cfm - list of all UK MPs
• http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/page821.asp - contact Downing Street
• http://www.writetothem.com/ - write to your MP and/or get their contact details

New G&G UMP Sneek Preview Photos
Here are the latest sneek preview shots of the soon to be released airsoft H&K UMP submachine gun from G&G Armament. The UMP in the photos is a pre-release sample sent to Redwolf Airsoft. The gun is almost complete identical to the final release model in every aspect.

I was lucky enough to check out this gun in person today at Redwolf Airsoft. My first impression was that G&G did a fine job in reproducing this highly anticpated airsoft gun. The gun feels very solid in the hand. G&G chose to construct the UMP with a nylon plastic composite that not only looks great but feels very realistic

A particular feature that I found quite neat on the new G&G UMP is a working bolt stop. Pull the bolt back and the ejection port locks open for easy adjustments to the metal hop-up unit. Press the bolt stop and the ejection port closes with a loud snap. This feature will definately make adjusting your hop-up that much more enjoyable.

The G&G UMP comes with a 70 round low capacity plastic magazine. Too bad no dummy rounds in this magazine, would have been a nice cosmetic feature to add but not extremely important. Due to the size of the UMP, one very obvious downside is the fact that it only has enough room to fit a custom 9.6V 1000mah stick battery. This may be a limited factor for internal upgrades but I am sure there will be some type of aftermarket battery solution for this beautiful piece. Overall, the fit and finish of the G&G UMP is top notch. As for performance, we will have to test it out when the final version is released in early August. Hopefully I'll be able to get a hold of one and write a review for you guys.

G&G UMP SPECIFICATIONS
Build Material: Metal/Nylon
Magazine Capacity: 70 rounds
Overall Length: 452mm/695mm (when stock is extended)
Inner Barrel Length: 205mm
Weight: 2365g (not include the battery)
Muzzle Velocity: 80m/sec (with 0.2g BB bullet)
Cyclic Rate of Fire: 850-900 rounds/min (with 9.6V 1000 mAh battery)
Release date: 2005/7/30 (estimate)

New G&G Armament UMP & S.O.C. 16 AEG
Finally an airsoft H&K UMP AEG is set to be released from the Taiwan airsoft manufacturer G&G Armament, dubbed the G&G UMG. In addition, G&G will also be releasing a compact variant of the M14. Both rifles should be available at the end of this month. More details below.

UMG Features: Realistic field stripping, unique serial number stamped on the barrel back, bolt/bolt catcher/cocking lever are functional, comes with four rails, cocking lever/magazine release/trigger all made by reinforced nylons as the real things, and AL 6061 CNC machined one-piece outer barrel with hard anodized.

Specification:
Build Material: Metal/Nylon
Magazine Capacity: 70 rounds
Overall Length: 452mm/695mm (when stock is extended)
Inner Barrel Length: 205mm
Weight: 2365g (not include the battery)
Muzzle Velocity: 80m/sec (with 0.2g BB bullet)
Cyclic Rate of Fire: 850-900 rounds/min (with 9.6V 1000 mAh battery)
Release date: 2005/7/30 (estimate)

S.O.C 16 Rifle Features: AL 6061 CNC machined scope mount rail with hard anodized, comes with a tactical reflex sight and mount ring, AL 6061 CNC machined one-piece outer barrel, and die-cast flash suppressor and front sight.

Specification:
Build Material- Metal / Plastic
Magazine Capacity: 80 rounds
Overall Length: 930mm
Inner Barrel Length: 407mm
Weight: 2860g
Muzzle Velocity: 330-350 FPS with 0.2g BB (Semi Auto)
Cyclic Rate of Fire: 950-1000 RPM with 8.4V 1800mAh Battery
Release date: 2005/7/15 (estimate)

Happy Birthday Canada!
Its July 1st and once again its been one prosperous and excellent year for us Canadians. Our loving country is one year older and I would just like to take a moment to wish Canada a great big happy birthday. God bless our wonderful country and all the people who has made this country one of the best places in the world. No other country in the world can come close to our multicultural ethnic diversity that has united so many people from different cultures into one.

Ohhh Canada, our home and native land.
True padrid love, in all our sons command.
With glowing hearts, we see thy rise, the true north strong and free.
From far and wide, oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land, glorious and free.
Ohhh Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Ohhh Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

We must also thank and commemorate all the Canadian women and our dear veterans who fought so bravely for Canada. We would not have this day if it weren't for you guys. The Canadian people truly are extremely greaful for your efforts. Your hardships and sacrifices will never be forgotten. So go out and have fun, celebrate the birthday of our country with a great big jug of beer, but remember, dont drink and drive. Be sure to keep your barrels clean and yours batteries charged for your next airsoft skirmish. Cheers! and god bless Canada!