Have Any Countries Proposed Outright Gel Blaster Bans?

Gel blasters, also known as hydro blasters or gel ball blasters, are toy guns that shoot small water-filled gel pellets. They are used for recreational combat simulation and gel blaster sports, similar to paintball and airsoft. However, the ultra-realistic appearance of many gel blaster models has raised public safety concerns in certain regions. This has led some countries to propose outright bans on the possession and use of gel blasters, though exceptions remain.

Gel blasters originated in China in the 1980s but did not gain worldwide popularity until the 2010s. They are used globally by gel blaster enthusiasts for recreational combat games and simulated battle scenarios. Players wear protective gear and try to eliminate opponents by striking them with gel pellets that leave water-soluble splat marks. Gel blasters provide an exciting, action-packed experience without the mess and pain of paintball.

However, the striking realism of many gel blaster designs has triggered public safety concerns. Their appearance is often indistinguishable from real firearms at a distance. Misuse or threats with imitation weapons can still incite panic and bring an armed police response. This has led some countries to introduce outright bans or strict regulations on gel blasters, though they technically are toys.

Which countries have proposed or implemented comprehensive gel blaster bans? What are the arguments for and against such prohibitions? This article will examine where gel blasters have been outlawed and discuss the debates around their legality.

Where Are Gel Blasters Currently Banned?

Australia

Australia has the most extensive gel blaster bans in the world. Almost all Australian states and territories prohibit the possession, use, and importation of gel blasters:

• New South Wales – Gel blaster possession and use banned since 2019. Fines up to $11,000 or imprisonment for 2 years.
• Victoria – Outright ban effective August 1, 2021. Penalties include $7,700 in fines and up to 6 months jail.
• Queensland – All areas outside of Brisbane have prohibited gel blasters. Brisbane allows use on private land with consent.
• Western Australia – Blanket ban imposed in July 2021. Fines up to $18,000 and 18 months imprisonment.
• South Australia – Classified gel blasters as firearms in 2020 with a total ban.
• Tasmania – Classified as prohibited firearms and banned in 2020.
• Australian Capital Territory – Gel blasters illegal as replica firearms.
• Northern Territory – Gel blasters banned under 2019 Weapons Control Act.

The only exception is in approved gel blaster fields in Queensland, where recreational use is still permitted. However, legal use requires extensive licensing for ownership and operation of commercial gel blaster venues.

New Zealand

In June 2022, New Zealand moved to introduce a national ban on gel blasters following a rise in gel blaster crime and threats against the public. Under the Arms (Prohibited Firearms, Magazines, and Parts) Amendment Bill, gel blasters would be classified as prohibited firearms.

New Zealand police reported over 5,600 incidents involving gel blasters over the prior two years. Their use in robberies, drive-by shootings, and gang-related activities raised significant community safety concerns.

If approved, the gel blaster prohibition would carry penalties aligned with illegal possession of firearms, including up to 5 years imprisonment. Some exemptions may remain for theatrical armorers using gel blasters for productions.

Singapore

Gel blasters are outright banned in Singapore under the Arms and Explosives Act. They are designated as imitation firearms and prohibited from import, sale, possession, and use. Police warned gel blaster owners in 2017 to surrender their equipment or face harsh penalties.

Under Singapore law, any person caught with a banned gel blaster faces fines up to S$10,000 (US$7,400), three years jail time, and a minimum of six strokes by caning. Caning is a painful corporal punishment technique still used in some Asian countries.

China

China originally manufactured and exported many gel blasters but banned their domestic sale and possession around 2009. The prohibition aimed to curb firearm-related crimes by eliminating access to replica weapons.

Instead of gel blasters, most Chinese manufacturers now produce recreational dart blasters for their own citizens. However, China remains a major exporter of gel blasters to other international markets where they remain legal.

Canada

While a federal ban is not in place, several Canadian cities have introduced local gel blaster prohibitions, including Toronto, Vancouver, Alberta, and Nova Scotia. These cities classify gel blasters as replica firearms or prohibited devices under municipal bylaws. In Toronto, unauthorized possession of a gel blaster risks a $5,000 fine.

The movement of gel blasters across provincial borders is also restricted under Canadian law. Gel blasters cannot be imported into Canada due to national restrictions on imitation firearm shipments.

Arguments For and Against Gel Blaster Bans

The debate around prohibiting gel blasters remains contentious worldwide. Arguments for and against outright bans include:

Arguments Supporting Gel Blaster Bans

• Public safety risks – Gel blasters are visually indistinguishable from real guns at a distance. Police or bystanders can easily mistake them for lethal weapons, risking dangerous over-reactions. Bans reduce public panic and harm from gel blaster misuse.
• Facilitate criminal activity – Criminals can disguise real guns as gel blasters or threaten serious harm with very realistic replica weapons. Outlawing gel blasters closes off this avenue of exploit.
• Difficult to regulate – Strict gel blaster regulations are hard to enforce without comprehensive bans. It is challenging to identify sanctioned use versus criminal misuse of replica firearms when encountered by officials or the public.
• Risk to children – Young children may misidentify gel blasters as toys and handle them carelessly or threaten others, increasing risk of injury or death due to misperceptions. Banning access reduces associated risks.

Arguments Against Gel Blaster Bans

• Legitimate uses – For sports, recreation, cosplay, and props, gel blasters provide a safe alternative to firearms when properly handled. Usage should be regulated but not criminalized.
• Focus should be on misuse – Bans unfairly target responsible gel blaster owners. Emphasis should be on prosecuting those who misuse replica firearms or break established regulations.
• Existing firearms laws sufficient – Many argue real firearms laws already cover criminal misuse of imitation weapons. Gel blasters do not require specific bans.
• Black market risk – Outright bans remove legal acquires routes, which can boost black market gel blaster smuggling and make monitoring more difficult.

There are good-faith arguments on both sides of this issue. However, the recent proliferation of gel blaster crimes and threats has pushed more local jurisdictions toward blanket prohibitions rather than strict regulations.

Which Major Countries Allow Gel Blasters?

While the list of places implementing gel blaster bans increases, many major countries still permit gel blasters under certain regulations:

• United States – Not federally banned but several states prohibit or restrict gel blasters, including California, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, and Hawaii. Most states allow private recreational use.
• United Kingdom – Require proof of age over 18 and two-tone coloring but otherwise legal with appropriate manufacturer licenses. Considered imitation firearms but not prohibited.
• Germany – Legal for those over 18 years old. Classified as toy weapons but subject to gun control laws regarding public brandishing.
• France – French law allows gel blasters with bright coloration. They are not considered replica firearms when meeting specific criteria.
• Spain – Law permits gel blasters but prohibits use in public spaces without authorization. Violators may face large fines under the Protection of Public Safety Act.
• Mexico – Unregulated but use considered illegal in public spaces. No federal prohibition, but several states ban gel blasters.
• Philippines – Uncontrolled but prohibited from importation under customs regulations due to resemblance to real firearms.

What Are the Broader Impacts of Banning Gel Blasters?

Outlawing gel blasters has wider economic and social consequences beyond simply eliminating public access. Some broader impacts of instituting gel blaster bans include:

• Gel blaster industry decline – Australian gel blaster companies reported massive revenue reductions following bans. Prohibition eliminates both suppliers and user demand.
• Limitations on recreation – For gel blaster enthusiasts, bans remove an entire recreational activity without offering alternatives. Other sports like airsoft or paintball involve higher costs, pain, and mess.
• Reduced innovation – The gel blaster sector has created considerable innovation in replica firearm technology. Banning gel blasters stifles continued market improvements tailored to consumer safety.
• Black market risk – As with any prohibition, bans can foster illegal gel blaster trafficking. Unregulated black market suppliers have no oversight into how customers utilize unlocked gel blasters.
• Enforcement costs – Implementing and enforcing a nationwide gel blaster ban requires considerable police resourcing. Some argue these taxpayer funds would be better directed to other public safety programs.
• Limitations on self-defense – While gel blasters cause welts and bruises at close range, some argue they could provide a non-lethal means of self protection in countries prohibiting Tasers, pepper spray, firearms, and other defensive weapons.

There are always trade-offs to weigh when considering blanket bans on products rather than targeted regulations. However, many lawmakers ultimately decide eliminating gel blasters entirely is the safest option for society, despite wider impacts on consumers and businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gel Blaster Bans

What are the main motivations behind gel blaster bans?

The primary motivations are eliminating threats to public safety and reducing violent gun crime. The realistic appearance of gel blasters risks armed police responses if threats seem real. Bans also intend to limit imitation weapons from being used in robberies, gang violence, and other firearm offenses.

Can gel blasters cause injury or death?

While gel blasters are low-velocity and designed as safe toys, they can cause welts, bruises, bleeding, and other non-lethal but painful injuries at very close range. No direct deaths have been attributed to gel blasters, but fatalities could result indirectly from their involvement in violent crimes or mistaken identity police shootings.

Do gel blaster bans reduce crime rates?

Early statistics from Australian states show significant reductions in gel-blaster-related crimes and threats after implementing bans. However, critics argue a black market for unlocked gel blasters will eventually emerge to supply criminal elements. Long-term impacts on overall crime rates remain uncertain.

What penalties apply for using gel blasters in banned areas?

Penalties vary but commonly include heavy fines up to $10,000s and multi-year prison terms. Those making threats with gel blasters or using them for crimes also face additional weapons and assault charges. Simply brandishing banned gel blasters in public risks arrest as well.

Can you modify gel blasters to fire live ammunition?

Gel blasters cannot fire live ammunition directly from the factory. However, hobbyists demonstrate homemade modifications to chambers and barrels that allow single live rounds in place of gel balls, increasing lethal risks if instructions propagate online. This threat further motivates total bans.

Are gel blaster bans permanent or subject to change?

Jurisdictions can repeal or amend gel blaster laws if public health and safety conditions improve in the future. Advocacy from gel blaster industry groups also applies ongoing pressure to ease restrictions where possible. However, complete reversal of blanket bans is uncommon once implemented.

While gel blasters provide recreational enjoyment for many enthusiasts, their striking realism carries inherent public safety risks that some lawmakers consider unacceptable. Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and certain other countries moved to eliminate these threats through comprehensive gel blaster bans, though exceptions remain. Arguments continue on whether regulated legal uses or outright prohibitions strike the right balance for society. With gel blaster incidents increasing, more jurisdictions appear willing to impose outright bans rather than tight restrictions going forward. Those supporting legal gel blaster use will need to make a compelling case that public safety can be preserved with strong controls instead of blanket prohibitions.