Bill would classify paintball guns as weapons

[Grendel]

By RAY HENRY
Associated Press writer
March 21, 2007 6:00 AM
PROVIDENCE — Shooting an opponent with a paintball gun outside a government-designated zone could become a crime in Rhode Island punishable by a year in prison under a bill state lawmakers are considering.

The legislation would add paintball guns to a list of regulated or banned weapons that includes daggers, metal knuckles, stun guns and bowie knives. It also would forbid people from carrying loaded paintball guns inside a vehicle's passenger cab.

Paintball guns — called "markers" by enthusiasts — use compressed gas to hurl paint-filled balls of gel at a bruising 170 mph.

A nurses' association backing the bill describes those guns as a dangerous nuisance that can kill or blind, although business owners call the proposals a bit draconian.

"Yeah, it could be a little extreme," said state Sen. James Doyle, D-Pawtucket, a bill sponsor who admits there are some kinks to work out.

Doyle said he's not trying to end paintball games. He's trying to deter paintball vandals from spraying or injuring unsuspecting people or pelting buildings, smashing windows and cracking vinyl siding.

Doyle's bill also restricts games to designated areas. Exactly who would be responsible for those designations and how they would be made is unclear.

He said he believed the bill would restrict paintball wars to indoor arenas or keep them on private property, so long as the players wear safety goggles and protective clothing. But Denise Coppa, who has lobbied for the bill, said she believed it would outlaw games on private property.

Coppa's son was legally blinded in his right eye by a paintball gun more than three years ago when he was 16. Since then, she's pressured lawmakers to take action.

Her son was attacked by a group of neighborhood boys trying to film a prank, she said. During the ambush, they shot him more than 20 times even as he shouted for them to stop. One ball struck his right eye, tore a membrane and caused bleeding that severely damaged his eyesight.

One culprit was fined $400 by a Family Court judge who confiscated his gun, Coppa said. North Kingstown Sgt. John Murphy said police investigated the case, but he could not comment on its outcome since it involved people who were juveniles at the time.

It took six months for Coppa's son to recuperate from an injury that ended his dream of becoming a military pilot.

"He's legally blind in that eye. It will never be correctable to 20-20," Coppa said. "People are not understanding how serious this is."

Opponents worry that a law designed to crack down on vandals could infringe on law-abiding paintball players. One provision would require players to secure their guns in closed containers when walking outside an approved zone.

Chris Catucci owns Providence Indoor Paintball, a 20,000-square-foot indoor arena and obstacle course that specializes in capture-the-flag games and children's birthday parties. He said he already gives safety lectures to anyone who buys a paintball gun and requires all players to wear goggles inside his business.

Under the bill, Catucci would have to earn approval as a designated paintball site to operate his business. He wasn't sure how that would happen.

"It doesn't make a whole lot of sense, honestly," he said. "It's completely unreasonable."

Some are calling for compromise.

Chris Raehl runs the multistate National Collegiate Paintball Association from his home in Chippewa Falls, Wis. He tracks state attempts to regulate the paintball industry and doesn't mind rules keeping paintball guns outside the reach of car passengers.

Pennsylvania lawmakers took that step in 2001, and towns and cities across the country have enacted similar ordinances.

"The only reason you'd do that is if you're up to some mischief, like you're shooting mailboxes," Raehl said. However, he cautioned that other parts of Rhode Island's proposed law are ambivalent, even overreaching. "It sounds like something with good intent, but maybe it needs a little cleanup."

SouthCoastToday.com: Bill would classify paintball guns as weapons, restrict use

[gfgjester]

Yeah, why do something simple like make it a felony for anyone to discharge a paintball marker with the intent to deface, vandalize, hurt, maim, put someones eye out, etc. etc. etc? No, we have to assume everyone is a criminal and that the law must take the right to be semi intelligent away from everyone in the state.

[D.B. Daddy]

GFGJester for Persident!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who's in?

[claydirt]

Originally Posted by Death By Daddy

GFGJester for Persident!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who's in?

Second that motion. Let's write him in.

[drewcif]

sounds like a case of over involved parents-- though no parent likes their child to be injured-- it sounds like a classic case of mom and soccer syndrome....

at least the law makers seem open to the sport and sound optomistic
Drew

[architec68]

The bill makers need to keep their focus on the issue. Criminals!!!!!! The woman in the article should have pressed harder for those punks to be punished more severly. Maybe that's the answer instead of the stupid bill.
I have a field on the back side of my property and I'll be damned if I'm going to let someone tell me that I can't have it on my PRIVATE property.

[Ears]

sounds pretty geh to me

[ItalianAnaconda]

That mom has serious issues. I hate parents like that. My parents, if I got hurt by something like that, would take it up with those kids parents and if need be take it to the local authorties. They would not make the stupid thing state wide. They do not need to punish the whole paintball community for one thing that a group of morons did. I cant remember who said it but they are right. Focus more on punishing those that take it too far.

I would love to send that mother and law makers an e-mail of how I feel. I honestly dont care if her son cannot be a military pilot any more. Chances are he would of joined, became one, hated it, and go on political rampage on how the military is evil and brain washes the childern of America. I too wanted to be a military pilot but cannot because I was born with poor eye site. You dont seem trying to pass bills to justify it. I dont go all over the place crying about it. Instead I enlisted instead and I am still serving my country.

[Deebo]

Don't belittle our paintball markers - its more like a bruising 190 mph, geez...

[ItalianAnaconda]

Originally Posted by Deebo

Don't belittle our paintball markers - its more like a bruising 190 mph, geez...

Lol that is true. If they are going to make a statement about our guns they need to get it right.

I honestly dont think that the bill will pass. Paintball is too big of a sport. Too many supporters and big name corperations.