Gel blasting is a relatively new sport similar to paintball or airsoft.
A tactical game played as a Close Quarters Battle or CQB. Gel blasting has been credited with hurting less and being more eco-friendly than the latter two.
Anyone that has been the unlucky recipient of a paintball shot can attest to the fact that it HURTS!
Gel balls hurt way less and at times, you can barely feel a shot through your clothes if taken at a further range. A close range shot might sting a tad but will rarely leave a mark.
These balls are made up of 94% to 98% water, and an eco-friendly polymer. They’ll explode on impact and can biodegrade fast, saving you some valuable cleaning time.
Sometimes played in nature, it can also be played in an enclosed arena. The plan is simple; shoot the enemy team and don’t get shot!
Gel Blasting – Legalities
However, due to the incredibly realistic nature of a gel blaster gun, crooks and irresponsible players went and spoiled it for the rest of the gel blasting community.
In 2020, officers were called to 147 gel blaster incidents in Western Australia alone, while a blaster was used to hold up a pharmacy, resulting in a police operation that lasted several hours.
Police Superintendent Dan Trimble said that blasters were used to commit serious crimes like armed robberies, assaults, drive-by shootings, and home invasions in Victoria.
Moreover, Southern Cross station in Melbourne’s Central Business District was locked down in January 2021 after a man was spotted with a blaster and bystanders mistook it for an actual gun.
Most police officers were found not to be able to tell the difference between a gel blaster and a real gun.
As the list of crimes and disturbances climbed, several states in Australia have made it illegal to own a blaster without appropriate firearm licenses and registration documents.
Is Gel Blasting legal in Australia?
As of the end of 2021, the only state that you can go gel blasting without a license or restrictions is Queensland.
The only stipulation is that you have to conceal the blaster when transporting it and store it in a closed, secure location.
In which countries are Gel Blasters legal?
Argentina
Gel Blasters are legal in Argentina.
You can only buy replica or imitation firearms in gun shops or specialised sports establishments, to persons above the minimum age in Argentina. The Gel Blasters must have guidelines and warnings written in Spanish and a large “Not for use by minors” in a visible location.
Armenia
Gel Blasters are legal in Armenia.
Gel Blasters with muzzle energy below three joules, that is 568 ft/s for a 0.20 g projectile (the average weight of a gel ball), are not considered weapons in Armenia and require no licence or permission.
Belgium
Gel Blasters are legal in Belgium.
Weapons that shoot projectiles without combustion or fire are free to buy and sell as long as you are over the age of 18 in Belgium.
An exception is if the weapon can shoot a 0.2g pellet (the average weight of a gel ball) at 900fps or faster, then it is considered a firearm and has to be registered as such in Belgium.
Bulgaria
Gel Blasters are legal in Bulgaria
There is no restriction on the ownership of a Gel Blaster in Bulgaria, only a minimum age of 18.
Since they are considered air guns, not real guns, in Bulgaria, you are free to use them wherever except public areas like schools and such.
Chile
Gel Blasters are legal in Chile.
You must transport your Gel Blaster out of sight in public places. Most shops will require you to be 18 or older to purchase a Gel Blaster, but there are no laws regulating the sales in Chile.
Czech Republic
Gel Blasters are legal in Czech Republic.
In Czech Republic anyone over the age of 18 can buy and sell Gel Blasters without any licenses or permissions.
A Gel Blaster must be concealed while transported and they are not allowed in public places in Czech Republic.
Denmark
Gel Blasters are legal in Denmark
Any person above 18 years can buy and trade Gel Blasters in Denmark.
At the age of 16 they can be used on police approved sites with parents permission. Your Gel Blaster must alway be concealed while being transported in Denmark.
Finland
Gel Blasters are legal in Finland.
The only restrictions are that you must transport your Gel Blaster concealed and you need permission from a legal guardian to purchase one if you are under the age of 18 in Finland.
France
Gel Blasters are legal in France.
A Gel Blaster firing above 464 FPS (two joules with an average gel ball of 0.2 gram) is considered a firearm and will need to have proper licenses and permissions according to the French Weapons Law. You must transport your Gel Blaster concealed in France.
Germany
Some Gel Blasters are legal in Germany. But not the ones you want!
For a Gel Blaster to be unrestricted it has to shoot at 230 FPS or less. In that case it is a toy gun and can be purchased and used by anyone above 14 years in Germany. They must be concealed in public.
Any Gel Blaster shooting above 230 FPS is considered an air rifle in Germany, not a toy, and you must be 18 or older to use them.
In addition, and here’s the catch, they are illegal if they are able to shoot automatic fire. As icing on the cake, you are not allowed to even own a flashlight or laser that can be mounted on the blaster projecting light in front of it, let alone mount anything.
Then there is of course the transport issues. Concealing is not enough, if the gel blaster is similar to a real weapon it must be transported in a locked container in Germany.
Greece
Gel Blasters are legal in Greece.
A Gel Blaster is in the same category as air guns in Greece. They are not considered real guns, but can only be sold to persons of 18 years or older in special shops. The Gel Blaster is required to be concealed when transported in Greece.
Hong Kong
Gel Blasters are legal in Hong Kong.
A Gel Blaster is considered a toy in Hong Kong as long as the kinetic energy is below two joule (465 FPS) and you better stay below that limit. If you go above two joule, you have a firearm and consequences of having an illegal firearm in Hong Kong may include up to 14 years in prison.
There are no licences or permissions needed in Hong Kong for buying or trading with toy guns, and no laws requiring you to conceal the gun, although you should if it looks like a real gun.
Hungary
Gel blasters are legal in Hungary.
Gel Blasters can be bought and owned by anyone above the age of 18 years in Hungary.
Ireland
Gel Blasters are legal in Ireland.
The limit for needing a weapon license in Ireland is one joule, which is about 330 FPS with an average gel ball (0.2 grams)
Indonesia
Gel Blasters are legal in Indonesia.
There are no rules by law restricting the ownership or use of Gel Blasters in Indonesia
Italy
Gel Blasters are legal in Italy.
In Italian law, a Gel Blaster shooting with an energy of one joule (about 330 FPS with 0.2 gram gel ball) or less is considered to be a toy. They can be traded freely, both domestically and from abroad. There is no requirement for licenses or permissions, nor any age limit.
The Gel Blaster must be sold with a red tipped barrel, but it can be removed when owned. Gel Blasters must be concealed while transporting them in Italy.
Japan
Gel Blasters are legal in Japan.
There is a limit of 3.5 joule/cm2, which translates to just under one joule for a standard sized gel ball, so the limit is about 330 FPS for a Gel Blaster in Japan.
Latvia
Gel Blasters are legal in Latvia.
A Gel Blaster with muzzle energy of 1.5 joules (about 400 FPS with a standard 0.2 gram gel ball) or lower is considered a low energy air gun in Latvia and can be sold to anyone that is 18 years or older without any registration.
Lithuania
Gel Blasters are legal in Lithuania.
A Gel Blaster with muzzle energy of 1.5 joules (about 400 FPS with a standard 0.2 gram gel ball) or lower is considered a low energy air gun in Lithuania and can be sold to anyone that is 18 years or older without any registration.
Malta
Gel Blasters are legal in Malta.
In 2013 Malta amended their laws to accommodate for non-lethal guns and you do not need any license or registration to buy, own or use a Gel Blaster in Malta.
Norway
Gel Blasters are legal in Norway.
You have to be 18 years or older to buy a Gel Blaster in Norway, but you are allowed to use one at any age. However, you have to use it for personal protection and have permission from your legal guardians.
Poland
Gel Blasters are legal in Poland.
In Poland the limit for kinetic energy is 17 joule, anything above that is considered a pneumatic weapon. 17 joule is about 1350 FPS with a normal gel ball, so that should not be a problem. A Gel Blaster must be concealed in public areas in Poland.
Russia
Gel Blasters are legal in Russia.
A Gel Blaster with muzzle energy less than three joules (about 568 FPS with standard 0.2 gram gel ball) is not considered a weapon in Russia.
Serbia
Gel Blasters are legal in Serbia.
Anyone over the age of 16 may legally buy, own, and use a Gel Blaster in Serbia.
Slovakia
Gel Blasters are legal in Slovakia.
You have to be 18 years of age to use a Gel Blaster in Slovakia. You are required by law to make sure your Gel Blaster is secure, when you are not using it. The maximum energy is 15 joules, which is more than 1250 FPS with a normal 0.2 gram gel ball.
You need a weapons importation licence if you want to buy a Gel Blaster from outside the European Union.
Slovenia
Gel Blasters are legal in Slovenia.
There are no age limits for buying or using a Gel Blaster in Slovenia. But you are not allowed to carry them unconcealed in public since the police will treat them as real weapons.
Sweden
Gel Blasters are legal in Sweden.
In Sweden, a Gel Blaster will be considered a limited effect firearm. You must be 18 years or above to buy or possess one, but there are no licenses or permissions needed.
Ukraine
Gel Blasters are legal in Ukraine.
A Gel Blaster with muzzle energy less than three joules (about 568 FPS with standard 0.2 gram gel ball) is not considered a weapon in Ukraine currently.
United Arab Emirates
Gel Blasters are legal in the United Arab Emirates.
You can buy, own and possess Gel Blasters in the United Arab Emirates. Gel Blasters are sold at special weapon shops. You need a permit to import them to the United Arab Emirates.
The Gel Blaster must be concealed in public, and you can only play in designated facilities.
United Kingdom
Gel Blasters are legal in the United Kingdom.
A Gel Blaster with automatic fire can only have max muzzle energy 1.3 joules, about 375 FPS with a standard 0.2 gram gel ball for it to be legal.
A Gel Blaster that has only single fire is allowed up to 2.5 joules of energy, about 520 FPS with an average 0.2 gram gel ball.
United States
Gel Blasters are legal in the United States.
There are some different rules in different states. But in general, you should be 18 years or older to buy a Gel Blaster in the United States. The Gel Blaster should be equipped with an orange tip on the barrel. It should be to indicate that it is not a real gun in most of the United States.
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