Man to be charged for possessing and importing over 150 airsoft handguns and replica gun

A 40-year-old man will be charged in court on Friday (August 7) for the possession and importation of more than 150 airsoft handguns without license, and the importation of a replica gun without a permit.

The police received information on November 16, 2018 relating to the sales of replica toy guns that shoot gel beads as projectiles on an e-commerce platform.

Through ground enquiries, officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identity of the seller and arrested him on the same day.

"More than 150 airsoft handguns and accessories were seized," said the police.

Airsoft guns or any other guns that shoot pellets using compressed gas are regulated as ‘arms’ under the Arms & Explosives Act.

No person, unless authorised by a licence to possess arms, shall have in his possession or under his control any of such arms.

Any person who has in his possession or under his control any gun without license shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 for every such gun and to imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years.

The police also said in a statement that it is an offence for anyone to import or export any arms or explosives or any parts of arms or explosives without a license.

The offence of importing or exporting any arms or explosives carries an imprisonment term not exceeding three years and shall be fined up to S$10,000.

It is also an offence for anyone to import or export any replica guns without a permit.

Anyone who is found guilty of this offence shall, on the first conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or three times the value of the goods in respect of the committed offence, whichever is greater, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both; and on the second or subsequent conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding $200,000 or four times the value of the goods in respect of the committed offence, whichever is greater, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.