[Ricochet]

It is "and". Basically it encompasses the fact that we switch round weights, round sizes, and material types. So if tomorrow someone develops an airsoft gun that shoots an 10mm or 4mm or whatever sized projectile, at "x" and "x" weight made of "x" and "x" materials, then there is a specific system in place to deal with. Both 500 FPS velocity "and" 5.7 joules must be exerted in order for the "regulated firearm" classification. Realistically for the sake of the law, 0.20g/6mm rounds are only used as a benchmark or in cases of importation. You can have an airsoft gun that shoots 800 FPS as long as it's kinetic energy was less than 5.7 joules, although that would be unlikely. Why is this system in existence you ask, when the old law was any device with a muzzle velocity of 500 FPS or more? Simple; I have a gun that is shooting a 0.20g round at 510 FPS so it's considered a firearm. I now change out my rounds to 0.25g and now I'm shooting 483 FPS, so now it isn't a firearm. I still made it more dangerous as a heavier round has more potential kinetic energy even at lower velocity. So a system that covers both velocity and energy were put into play. I can tell you that a gun that exceeds both 500 FPS "and" 5.7 joules could really hurt someone.

Importation and ownership, oddly enough, have two different scales for classification. Once a gun is legally imported at between 366 FPS and 500 FPS, it can be upgraded or downgraded outside of that range. Some people are concerned over the classification of "replica", which was the big problem back in the day. A replica is listed as any device that resembles a firearm with near precision, which would include almost any airsoft gun. It has been deemed though that a replica, for purposes of ownership and the criminal code, "cannot cause serious bodily harm". If it is capable of serious bodily harm, then it cannot be a replica. The benchmark for replica "used to be 407 FPS with a 0.20g round could cause bodily harm, then 366 FPS with a 0.20g round could cause bodily harm. This is where the CBSA got on the train, when they adopted the 366 FPS lower limit." Now, serious bodily harm is serious bodily harm. If I shoot you close range in the eye with a gun shooting 280 FPS, would seriously damage your eye? You bet it would.

The upper limit came from 3 different classifications of ownership. Anything above the replica limit at the time, either 366 or 407 respectively was considered an "airgun", below was a replica (if it mimicked a real firearm with near precision). Anything that exceeded 500 FPS "or" 5.7 joules was considered an "unregulated firearm", and anything that exceeded 500 FPS "and" 5.7 joules was considered a "regulated firearm". CBSA also adopted a maximum velocity of under 500 FPS with a 0.20g round so that anything coming in was over the replica limit but under the firearm limit. They just never got off that train.

So currently....

CBSA import regulations:
- 366 - 499 FPS with a 0.20g round is legal for importation.

Ownership regulations:
- "if" your gun mimics a real firearm with near precision, it "must" be capable of causing serious bodily harm to avoid the "replica firearm" classification which is prohibited.

- "airgun" is now a generic term that classifies airsoft guns and a few other devices, but has no real legal ramifications.

- any device capable of causing serious bodily harm, but has a muzzle velocity of under 500 FPS "and" 5.7 joules is considered and "unregulated firearm".

- any airsoft guns used in criminal activities are considered real firearms for the purposes of the criminal code.

FPS limits in play:
- completely dependent on each individual field, by each individual field owner, as long as they fall within the parameters of the law and possibly their insurances.