Armourer wrote:
You should be ok if the kits are transparent or pigmented or pre-painted in the following acceptable colours detailed in the Violent Crime Reduction Act (Sec38 (3) (b):
An imitation firearm, irrespective of the type of firearm or which it is an imitation, will not be considered to be a realistic imitation firearm if it is of a specified principal colour:
i) bright red
ii) bright orange
iii) bright yellow
iv) bright green
v) bright pink
vi) bright purple; and
vii) bright blue
viii) or transparent
Section 38 - Meaning of “realistic imitation firearm”
the imitation is to be regarded as distinguishable if its size, shape or
principal colour is unrealistic for a real firearm.Most UK replica dealers are following this policy...
However, any modifications performed by the purchaser, are subject to the VCR Act.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/ukpga_20060038_en_5#pt2-pb5-l1g36
Yeah, this is something to be very,
very careful of. The VCR does take into account the fact that nothing would prevent someone buying a bright orange BB gun, then just spray the thing black to make it look real.
It's like IIRC that case where the guy held up a bank with a banana in a bag pretending it was a gun still got done for armed robbery - it's the intention that's the law looks at.
Thing is of course, with the VCR in it's infancy, they are more likely to prosecute to ensure the law works and is enforcable (see the hunting cases for example).