Imported BB Guns Sold with 'Destructive Power' Exceeding Safety Standards by 6 Times... Reported to Police

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] It has been revealed that some imported BB gun products illegally had their bullet speed limiters removed and were sold with destructive power exceeding six times the safety standard.

The Korea Consumer Agency announced on the 8th that after investigating eight adult BB gun products imported and distributed domestically, one product was found to have its bullet speed (muzzle velocity) limiter removed, and the seller of the product was reported to the police.

According to the current Act on the Safety Control of Guns, Swords, and Chemicals, if the kinetic energy (destructive power) of a bullet fired from a BB gun exceeds 0.2J, it is classified as a simulated firearm, and its manufacture, sale, and possession are prohibited.

Therefore, BB guns manufactured in countries such as the United States, Japan, and China, where the allowable bullet destructive power standards are higher than those in Korea, are generally imported and distributed domestically with speed limiters applied to reduce destructive power.

However, the Consumer Agency’s investigation revealed that one sniper rifle-type product was sold with the speed limiter removed. The seller had removed the speed limiter, and the product was sold with destructive power exceeding six times the safety standard, at 1.32J. The Consumer Agency reported the seller’s legal violation to the National Police Agency.

The investigation also found that five products had destructive power below 0.14J, failing to meet the safety certification standard set by the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards, which is between over 0.14J and up to 0.2J. Among these, two products had speed limiters that completely blocked pressure discharge from the internal nozzle, preventing the bullet from firing.

The Consumer Agency expressed concern that in such cases, the destructive power is too weak, which may lead users to remove the speed limiter themselves. Simple modifications to remove the speed limiter can significantly increase the bullet’s destructive power.

However, since removing the speed limiter can result in punishment under Article 11 of the Act on the Safety Control of Guns, Swords, and Chemicals, consumers are advised not to remove it themselves if the function is inadequate but to request an exchange or refund from the seller. Purchasing a product knowing that the speed limiter has been removed is also subject to punishment.

The Consumer Agency also advised that if the bullet speed or strength of a purchased product is excessively high, users should stop using it and report it to the National Police Agency or other relevant authorities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.