Paintball laws in RI

**Lohman446** · 03-02-2006, 09:53 AM

I put the language of the bill from the link here

**Lohman446** · 03-02-2006, 09:55 AM

I would be most concerned of section B. Obviously there are questions abotu what constitutes a training course, but as to section B what constitutes an "area designated for paintball". Does this mean all fields have to be state approved and supervised? It certainly does away with "public land woodsball" which I have never been a fan of anyways (the use of public land without expressed permission, not woodsball). What about private land woodsball? In the PA? bill there were specific exemptions made for transporting as part of the game or at the field using vehicles that do not appear here.

**Pacifist_Farmer** · 03-02-2006, 10:01 AM

That sounds fine to me, except the vagueness about prtective equipment. I often play in shorts and t-shirt, does that qualify as protective clothing? is it enough to wear a mask?

**RedBeard** · 03-02-2006, 10:04 AM

Thanks for pointing out that section Lohman, I somehow skipped it when I was reading, and I do see the point you are making.
Here's a question, If I wanted to call my representative to talk to them (or someone about this bill) what exactly do you do? Never having been involved in politics and what not I could always use some advice. When you call, do you usually speak to the rep directly, or get someone under them? so that they know what you are talking about, do you just tell them the name/number of the bill and just tell them what your opinion is? (Or is it better to email them?)
Does anyone have a link to the PA bill (I'm pretty sure that that is where the last one cropped up) that I might use as reference? I'm at work and don't have much browsing time...

**Lohman446** · 03-02-2006, 10:09 AM

Link to the PA bill http://www2.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/L...B1686P3174.pdf

**Lohman446** · 03-02-2006, 10:20 AM

Reading section D bothers me. I'm not against an "approved safety course". However, these tend to be tedious and costly - for instance my "approved course" for my CCW cost me $100 and eight hours to tell me things I knew already and the material could have been covered easily in an hour. Hunters Safety courses are like ten hours and "approved" to tell you things that could easily be covered in half an hour. Is it going to be like the boaters safety courses taught in the schools around here that are "approved", done during school, and free? Is this going to be a safety briefing before buying? Perhaps a list of facts given that must be initialed, etc? Or is this going to be a cost and time prohibitive gesture. My other concern, if an adult is buying it no safety course. However, as I read the wording, if a minor is going to be using/buying whatever then not only the minor but also the adult are going to have to take it. Great idea at face value but how many "credit card parents" are going to take the time to take this course.

Its a draft, the idea of "safe transport" does not bother me (it does bother some on these boards) and I would entirely support the idea and would like to see people work with the lawmakers to make a useful law that does not hinder or place undo burden on thsoe following it. What you have there would be a hinderance it seems.

**LS1 WS6** · 03-02-2006, 01:15 PM

I like nothing about that proposed bill. It will hurt paintball in RI and could spread to other very democratic states in the area. There are already laws to deal with the misuse of a paintball marker, why add more. I would really hate to have the government tell me when my kid could play paintball. I am the one responsible for his training and use of the marker.

I know there are some kids who come out and have no clue about safety. Any place I have been, usually in the woods, we always correct unsafe handling of a marker. Believe me when I tell you I do know a little something about the law. I see no real good coming from this besides making a safe sport harder to play and get into.

Seriously, look how safe paintball is compared to other sports. The only reason for this bill is because a "gun" is used. I would not support anything about this bill. Looks like a slippery slope to me.

**bjjb99** · 03-02-2006, 01:23 PM

What fraction of paint manufactured today uses water as one of the ingredients? The bill specifically states paint and water filled capsules... could one just use a vegetable oil base, use no water, and completely circumvent the bill as it's written?

BJJB

**Arstron** · 03-02-2006, 01:43 PM

I dont like how C is worded, technicaly, that means you couldnt carry a paintball gun in any SUV or station wagon, since the storage area is part of the passenger compartment. If a marker is in a case it shouldnt be that big of a deal, but I suppose this was to keep people from shooting paintballs out of a moving vehicle.

B I dont care for, but I really dont play any outlaw paintball either.

D I think is a good idea considering it was cost effective. If everyone had to go threw a course to learn how to properly maintain a gun, learn about the dangers of paintball, and how to be safe there would be a lot less people breaking their new paintball gun!

**dave p** · 03-02-2006, 02:00 PM

personally i feel the best route is to completely take paintball guns out of the hands of children. that is anyone younger than 18. two idiots just shot 2 THIRD GRADERS on the playground at my sons school this monday. how low is that, shooting into an elementary schoolyard full of third graders. two young teens were shooting into a schoolyard from the perimeter. more than 2 shots were fired, only 2 kids were hit. thats just disgusting.

ive been in contact with the school, superintendant and the PD. next is the mayor. hell, i may even start the petition and im a player. ive been playing since 97.

**WARPED1** · 03-02-2006, 02:15 PM

A good move if you ask me!

The law has always been you must be 18 to purchase a pb gun, just no one enforces it when Billy comes in your shop with his dads shiny platinum card and says he wants the most expensive gun you have!(like the overrated Ego for example, which I still call the Eggo[like the waffle]

)

**slade** · 03-02-2006, 03:55 PM

SECTION 1. Chapter 11-47 of the General Laws entitled "Weapons" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

a paintball marker is as much of a weapon as a baseball bat, lacrosse stick, or crowbar.

wow. this is a poorly written law. seriously, i could write a better law. as i said, they are not weapons, or at least that is a matter of debate. secondly, whats with all the relative measures? paintballs arent exactly "marble sized", they could have specified a caliber range. "high rates of speed"? come on. you can do better than that. 280 FPS is relatively low compared to rifles. again, how hard is it to specify a velocity range?

(b) Paintball guns may only be used in areas designated for paintball use and protective clothing and eye wear must be worn at all times by individuals participating in war simulation games.

i personally have no problem with outlaw ball and think it can be carried out in a safe manner, as i played outlaw for over a year, but i still understand the reason for outlaw ball being, well, outlawed. still, "designated for paintball use" is fairly vague, and legally required "protective clothing" is absurdity. what, is a cop going to arrest me at a field for playing in a t-shirt? and seriously, saying protective "eye wear" in a law is quite pathetic. they could at least define required ASTM standards. and dont even get me started on "war simulation games". i assume this law applies fully to lacrosse then.

(c)Paintball guns when transported or not otherwise in use must be unloaded with the gas cylinder separated from the gun. When transported by motor vehicle paintball guns must not be in the passenger compartments. When transported by foot the paintball gun must be carried unloaded and in closed cases.

i definately dont agree with this section. i can somewhat understand the reason behind it, but there are too many unneeded restrictions. i can see why you cannot have a loaded and gassed marker in the passenger seat of your car, but it also means i cant have my marker buried in my bag in the back seat of my SUV. if im coming home from practice, why cant i have a few balls remaining in my hopper? if its in my closed bag, degassed, whats the harm? i generally transport my marker home in my bag with the barrel off, tank on but degassed, and hopper on with a few balls still in it.

(d) All minor children and parents or guardians of children who wish to buy paintball guns must take a "gun safety" course which would include proper assembly, disassembly and proper use of paintball guns. The gun safety course must be certified and a certificate of completion must be presented to the seller of paintball guns before a purchase can be made by or for a minor.

...wow. bs. fields already do a good job of orientation and making sure people know the rules. thats all the course anyone needs. seriously, i know its with good intent, but any course is going to result in a ton of newbs sitting around not listening being bored, and then ignoring everything, and experienced players being bored, knowing they could teach the damn class. assembly and disassembly? there are too many different markers for a course to be useful itself. any competent human can figure out how to tech their marker, especially with a manual.

Originally posted by dave p

personally i feel the best route is to completely take paintball guns out of the hands of children. that is anyone younger than 18. two idiots just shot 2 THIRD GRADERS on the playground at my sons school this monday. how low is that, shooting into an elementary schoolyard full of third graders. two young teens were shooting into a schoolyard from the perimeter. more than 2 shots were fired, only 2 kids were hit. thats just disgusting.

ive been in contact with the school, superintendant and the PD. next is the mayor. hell, i may even start the petition and im a player. ive been playing since 97.

oh, please. because age has everything to do with it. you just cant set an age as a cutoff line for something like this. im 17 and have been playing for 3-4 years, and i have been responsible. are you just going to take my 4 markers, kick me off my team and say i cant play for a year? ive seen kids as young as 10 playing with their own markers (or brother's markers) and doing so responsibly. tell me why they shouldnt play. i would be hard pressed to think of someone i know under 18 who plays, and should not be allowed to. yet i know someone over 18 who i wouldnt trust with safety scissors or the glass bottle he probably just emptied, let alone a paintball marker.

matters like this need to be attended to on a case by case basis. severe penalties should be inflicted on anyone who abuses paintball equipment, not on the paintball community as a whole.

**dave p** · 03-02-2006, 04:58 PM

oh, please. because age has everything to do with it. you just cant set an age as a cutoff line for something like this. im 17 and have been playing for 3-4 years, and i have been responsible. are you just going to take my 4 markers, kick me off my team and say i cant play for a year? ive seen kids as young as 10 playing with their own markers (or brother's markers) and doing so responsibly. tell me why they shouldnt play. i would be hard pressed to think of someone i know under 18 who plays, and should not be allowed to. yet i know someone over 18 who i wouldnt trust with safety scissors or the glass bottle he probably just emptied, let alone a paintball marker.

matters like this need to be attended to on a case by case basis. severe penalties should be inflicted on anyone who abuses paintball equipment, not on the paintball community as a whole.

case by case is not cutting it as far as im concerned. and if you are over 18 shooting into a schoolyard you should spend time in jail. you are just mad because you would be affected.

so 10 year olds should drive and drink too?

**Mind'sEye** · 03-02-2006, 05:48 PM

Paintball guns will be defined as a "weapons" by the Rhode Island state legislature, and are going to be subject to a basic form of gun control. We have had this type of firearm gun control in the Republic of Kalifornia for sometime: gun safety classes, 30 day waiting periods, "assault weapons" licensing/bans, etc. but I don't think it's prevented the bad guys from acquiring and using firearms for illegal purposes.

As written the Rhode Island law seems innocent enough. If you trust government to stop there with restrictions then you will see this law as good. If you mis-trust government you might see it as problematic. Mis-use of paintball guns can be handled by current vandalism and assault laws. Bad people can and should be punished. This law is an attempt by the Rhode Island legislature to intercede with preventative measures. Sounds good, but the problem is, if they don't work the legislature will be more inclined to say, "We've done all we can do to prevent serious problems and it has not been effective, now it's time to consider a ban on these dangerous weapons." That's what's happened to firearms. The problem for Paintball is, it doesn't have a HUGE lobby like the NRA to argue on it's behalf. Many Americans are all too ready to restrict the freedoms of law abiding citizens in a mis-guided attempt to prevent crime. The idea behind the law may be good and well intentioned but IMO defining paintball guns as weapons is not a step in the right direction.

Paintball laws in RI

Paintball laws in RI

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