In 2022, the U.S. Congress transferred the responsibility for regulating airsoft guns from the Department of Commerce to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). To reflect that change in the law, CPSC needs to move the Commerce Department’s implementing regulations to the CPSC’s section of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The reference number of the regulations is changing from 15 CFR part 272 to 16 CFR part 1272, but there is no substantive change to the requirements. This conforming change was announced in the Federal Register (88 FR 30226). The agency will begin enforcing 16 CFR part 1272 officially on June 26, 2023.
No. This rule keeps product requirements the same and does not regulate how consumers use or enjoy their products.
No. The longstanding regulations making airsoft guns look different than real guns for your safety are simply being overseen by a different agency than before.
No. Certifying to 16 CFR part 1272 for general-use products does not require laboratory testing.
Yes. Airsoft guns, like other consumer products, must provide a general certificate of conformity GCC.
No. This action only implements Congress’s decision to change which agency handles making sure that new airsoft guns meet the regulations which have been in place since 1989. CPSC is not proposing or considering a ban.
Yes, but remember that the orange tip is an important safety feature.
No. CPSC’s continuation of the longstanding regulations does not change any requirement for airsoft guns’ appearance.
Yes. The Commission can change its regulations, and the underlying laws can be changed by Congress.