Have Any Countries Banned Gel Blaster Sales and Imports Entirely?

Gel blasters, also known as hydro blasters or gel ball blasters, are toy guns that fire small water-filled gel beads. Resembling realistic replica firearms, these popular “blasters” are used for recreational combat games similar to paintball and airsoft. However, concerns around public safety and their similarity to real guns have led certain countries to ban gel blasters entirely, prohibiting any sales or imports.

The debate around restricting or allowing gel blasters reflects broader discussions surrounding replica firearm laws and the balance between safety, personal freedom, and the realities of these devices being mistaken for guns. Understanding where and why gel blaster bans have been instituted can provide insight into government efforts to regulate perceived dangers while maintaining opportunities for recreation.

Examining the countries that have enacted complete gel blaster bans, the motivations behind these actions, and the impacts on safety and the gel blaster industry reveals complexities around effectively governing these controversial toys.

Which Countries Have Banned Gel Blasters Entirely?

Australia

Australia has instituted one of the strictest bans on gel blasters, prohibiting sale, possession, and use in all states and territories except Queensland and South Australia as of 2021. However, in July 2022, Western Australia also implemented a complete ban, carrying penalties of imprisonment and steep fines.

Gel blaster laws have tightened significantly in Australia since 2017. Concerns around public safety and inability to easily distinguish gel blasters from firearms prompted most jurisdictions to classify them as firearms or prohibited weapons. Pressure from law enforcement and media coverage of gel blaster misuse fueled support for stricter legislation.

Proponents argued bans were necessary to eliminate threats gel blasters posed to the public and police. Critics claimed the laws were excessive and that existing firearms regulations were sufficient for regulating gel blasters. But the tide of opinion swung towards prohibition, leading to nationwide gel blaster bans.

New Zealand

New Zealand laws prohibit any import, sale, supply, or possession of gel blasters under the 1983 Arms Act. An individual possessing a gel blaster faces up to 3 months imprisonment or a fine up to NZ$1000. Hardline legislation treats gel blasters as air guns and strictly bans them from the country.

Parliament added gel blasters to the Arms Act in 2020 in response to safety concerns around criminal misuse of the toys. Supporters of the ban argued it was needed to prevent harm, while critics claimed it was an overreaction targeting responsible gel blaster users. Nonetheless, the amendment instituted a complete ban.

Singapore

Singapore introduced a full ban on gel blasters in 2020 by adding them to the Arms and Explosives Act. Any import, sale, or possession is illegal, with offenders facing up to 5 years imprisonment and caning.

Studies on public confusion over gel blasters mimicking genuine firearms helped spur Singapore’s prohibition. Lawmakers argued a ban was necessary to enhance public safety and eliminate threats of misuse. Industry objections to the dramatic move were overridden in favor of a total ban.

Malaysia

Malaysia banned gel blasters under a 2001 amendment to the 1960 Firearms Act banning imitation firearms. Gel ball blasters fall under the prohibition of replica guns, making any sale, transport, or possession punishable by a mandatory jail term.

Police advocated for outlawing gel blasters after noting their widespread use in crimes to mimic real weapons. Lawmakers responded by updating laws to capture gel blasters in existing imitation firearm bans. The amendment made the toys completely illegal in Malaysia.

Thailand

Thailand’s prohibition on gel blasters falls under broader legislation banning imitation firearms and BB guns. The country’s Arms Control Act instituted prison sentences and fines for those importing, selling, or owning gel blasters.

Media coverage of gel blaster robberies sparked demands for regulation. In response, authorities emphasized that existing laws already banned these replica weapons entirely. Thailand subsequently cracked down on enforcing those bans for gel blasters.

China

Although not an outright federal ban, China has essentially prohibited gel blasters, contributing significantly to the popularity of dart blasters instead. Enforcement is patchy but has forced most manufacturers to halt gel blaster production and focus on dart blasters to avoid legal risks.

Local authorities interpret gel blasters as illegal imitation firearms under Chinese law. While prohibition is inconsistent, the chilling effect has been near total-elimination of the gel blaster market. China’s de facto ban helped shift the industry towards dart blasters and away from gel.

Why Have Countries Banned Gel Blasters?

Perceived Threat to Public Safety

The predominant motivation behind bans has been eliminating the perceived public safety threat posed by gel blasters. Their resemblance to real firearms creates risks of criminal misuse and dangerous confusion with actual guns. Restricting access to gel blasters aims to improve public safety by removing those threats.

Police forces have pushed for bans after encountering criminals wielding gel blasters and being forced to treat incidents as live shooter events. Safety risks have led communities to call for making gel blasters illegal. Authorities have responded with sweeping bans rather than regulations that some say fail to address the real hazards.

Challenges in Regulation

Countries instituting comprehensive bans argue that it is difficult to effectively regulate gel blasters without prohibiting them entirely. Attempts to introduce discrete registration categories and restrictions still allow the toys to circulate in the community.

Since gel blasters mimic real guns, lawmakers claim partial bans create an unacceptable risk to public safety. The resemblance to firearms makes broad access to gel blasters inherently dangerous, so countries have opted for bans over regulation that keeps them in circulation.

Pressure from Law Enforcement

Law enforcement has lobbied strongly for gel blaster bans in most countries. Police counter arguments that existing firearms laws sufficiently cover gel blasters, maintaining that proliferation of the toys impedes their duties and puts communities in danger.

By pushing for outright bans, police aim to eliminate a tool used by criminals to mimic real weapons. They say enforcing partial bans consumes resources and risks officers hesitating when encountering gel blasters. Outright prohibition removes those threats most effectively, according to law enforcement.

Media Attention and Public Opinion

Intense media coverage of crimes and accidents involving gel blasters swayed public support in favor of banning them. Horrific headlines led people to question why these dangerous toys were ever allowed and demand prohibition by the government.

The media storm whipped up public fear over gel blaster misuse. Sustained negative coverage shaped perceptions that gel blasters were a severe threat requiring dramatic action. This public pressure made bans a politically expedient response for lawmakers.

What Are the Impacts of Banning Gel Blasters Entirely?

Reduced Gel Blaster Crimes and Callouts

Police report declines in gel blaster related crime and callouts after bans. Eliminating access appears to reduce incidents of criminals misusing gel blasters to mimic firearms. Forcewide data shows decreased gel blaster seizures and gun crime with imitation weapons.

Bans also seem to cut false callouts where the public mistakes gel blasters for real guns. Police are no longer diverted by reports requiring an armed response to what turns out to be harmless blaster use. Prohibition may enhance public safety by curtailing misuse.

However, legal gel blaster use has also been reduced, making true impacts on crime unclear. And total gun crimes may remain unaffected since real firearms can substitute for banned gel blasters.

Damaged Gel Blaster Industry

Comprehensive gel blaster bans have devastated industries built around the toys. Australian manufacturers valued at AUD$100 million before bans were wiped out overnight. Retailers and hobbyists also suffered major losses.

Some companies try surviving by exporting abroad. But local industries built on producing, selling and using gel blasters vanish after bans, given their comprehensive nature. Critics argue banning gel blasters eliminates both dangerous and safe engagement with a recreational activity many valued.

Groups Find Ways to Keep Using Gel Blasters

Bans don’t stop dedicated gel blaster groups from continuing to use existing toys illegally. Those passionate about the hobby often defy prohibitions on participating in events and matches. Illegal use is rarely prosecuted, letting these communities carry on unimpeded.

Clandestine hobbyist networks develop to support ongoing gel blaster activity, undermining bans. Groups that safely used blasters legally before bans often continue illicitly, arguing they pose no public danger. Their persistence demonstrates challenges of completely eliminating a recreational activity.

Focus Shifts to Other Imitation Firearms

While gel blasters face specific bans, other imitation firearms may remain legal. Rather than broadly prohibiting replicas, countries have targeted gel blasters in particular. This pushes recreational users towards substitutes like airsoft or BB guns.

Critics argue this diversion to other unrestricted replicas demonstrates an inconsistency in banning only gel blasters over safety concerns. They say it disadvantages gel blasters while allowing potential dangers from similar imitation firearms to remain.

Are Complete Gel Blaster Bans Justified?

Arguments That Bans Are Justified

Greater public safety: Prohibiting gel blasters eliminates the risk of criminals misusing them or dangerous confusion with real weapons. Community protection outweighs hobbyists’ interests.

Difficult to regulate: Laws short of outright bans fail to resolve issues of gel blasters resembling guns. Partial prohibition allows them to remain in circulation.

Police unanimously back bans: Law enforcement, being at the frontline of dangers, universally endorses prohibiting gel blasters for safety. Their position justifies bans.

Public support: Media coverage and safety advocacy whips up support for bans. Broad public endorsement pressing for prohibition provides a mandate for blanket bans.

Precautionary principle: Gel blasters pose unknown but potentially serious risks. It is prudent to ban first and repeal later if hazards do not manifest. Bans take a safety-first approach.

Arguments That Bans Are Excessive

Most users are responsible: Complete bans penalize the majority of gel blaster owners who use them legally and safely. Targeted enforcement would suffice for the small criminal minority.

Existing laws are adequate: Some argue properly enforcing gun laws against criminal misuse obviates banning gel blasters entirely. Regulation under firearms acts is enough without prohibition.

Recreation access: For law-abiding hobbyists, gel blasters provide fun and healthy exercise. Bans eliminate a recreational activity many find joy and meaning in.

Industry destruction: Banning gel blasters damages businesses and jobs reliant on the trade. These economic costs must be accounted for and are disproportionate.

Criminals find substitutes: With myriad imitation firearm alternatives available, criminals barred from gel blasters simply switch to unrestricted surrogates. Thus public safety gains are minimal.

Consistency in replica laws: Singling out gel blasters alone seems arbitrary if other imitation firearms also pose risks but remain legal. Consistency argues for aligning gel blaster laws with those replicas.

What Does the Future Hold for Gel Blaster Bans?

Pushback and Repeals Possible

As more jurisdictions ban gel blasters, dissatisfaction and pushback may build among owners formerly legally enjoying the hobby. This could spur repeal or relaxation of some bans if public attitudes shift. Changes in political leadership could also enable repeals.

Industry might lobby for reversing bans by emphasizing economic impacts and arguing they can manufacture responsibly to mitigate public risks. Responsible users may advocate lifting bans by highlighting how they can self-regulate to avoid community dangers.

Spread of Bans Globally

Concerns around replica firearm misuse are international, so gel blaster bans could proliferate across the globe. Countries observe the Australian model and may replicate comprehensive prohibition given similar safety issues and weapons mimicry concerns.

However, different cultural attitudes and existing imitation firearm laws will mediate how appealing sweeping bans are. The Australian example may drive some but certainly not all jurisdictions towards prohibiting gel blasters. More partial approaches could maintain leisure access while addressing hazards.

Technological Evolution

Innovation may allow gel blasters to remain legal through technology distinguishing them unambiguously from real firearms. Developments like brightly colored appearance and inability to replicate exact gun mechanics could let safer designs stay legal even where bans exist.

Manufacturers are incentivized to create clearly toy-like gel blasters avoiding justification for bans. Technological distinction from genuine guns could enable the hobby to survive even amidst regulatory pressure.

Gel Blaster Legality Summary by Country

Country	Are gel blasters legal?
Australia	No, banned nationally except Queensland and South Australia
New Zealand	No, completely banned
Singapore	No, banned under Arms and Explosives Act
Malaysia	No, banned as imitation firearms
Thailand	No, banned under prohibition on replica guns
China	No, effectively banned though not federally prohibited
United States	Yes, generally legal subject to state and local laws
United Kingdom	Yes, legal if conforming to regulations
Germany	Yes, legal for ages 18+ with airsoft gun permit
Canada	Yes, legal if meeting imitation firearm requirements

Conclusion

While gel blaster bans aim to enhance public safety by prohibiting dangerous replica weapons, critics argue they repress law-abiding hobbyists while failing to address criminal misuse of substitutes still available.

The impact on gel blaster crimes and industry viability demonstrates real tradeoffs around blanket bans. Ongoing illegal use and pushback highlights difficulties enforcing controversial prohibitions within dedicated communities.

With gel blaster laws varying internationally, policymakers must grapple with conflicting imperatives of recreation freedom and community protection. Risks exist on both sides, and opinions diverge on where precisely to draw legislative lines around these contentious toy guns.

FAQs About Countries Banning Gel Blasters

Why did Australia ban gel blasters?

Australia banned gel blasters in most states and territories due to concerns over public safety, their use in crimes, and inability to easily distinguish them from real firearms. Strong lobbying from police and negative media coverage created public pressure for prohibition.

Where are gel blasters legal in Australia?

As of 2022, gel blasters remain legal only in Queensland and South Australia, after previously being allowed nationally. However, regulations still govern use in these states, and future legislation may implement wider bans. Western Australia banned them in 2022.

Are gel blasters illegal in New Zealand?

Yes, gel blasters are completely illegal in New Zealand after their prohibition in 2020 under the Arms Act 1983. The ban was motivated by safety concerns over criminal misuse of gel blasters.

What countries ban airsoft guns?

Some countries banning airsoft guns entirely include Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. However, they remain legal in most places like the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan, subject to regulations.

Why did China ban gel blasters?

While not federally prohibited, local authorities interpret gel blasters as illegal imitation firearms, leading to an effective nationwide ban. Manufacturers now focus on alternate dart blasters to avoid legal risks. Enforcement of the de facto ban is inconsistent.

Can you go to jail for gel blasters?

In countries where gel blasters are completely banned, you may face imprisonment for selling, importing, possessing, or using them. For example, Australia imposes jail sentences up to 14 years in some jurisdictions. Penalties reflect their prohibition as illegal firearms.