Laws are normally ambiguous in their content and what they refer to so it's up to judges to interpret how that law was intended to be used. As such I don't think there has been any court case regarding paintball that can be used as an example. I have read the UKPSF and to be honest what they've written is not in normal speak and is difficult to understand. From what I can make out they have interepreted the law in a worst case scenario and are working with advice because there is no court precedent. Here are what I think are the points you need to worry about:
- You need to be at least 16 to own a paintball marker and at least 12 to be able to use one. A lot of shops only sell to 18 year olds but a parent can buy you a paintball gun as a gift providing your 16.
Verdict: Need to be 16 to own a paintball gun, any one under 18 needs to be adult supervised
- Any fully automatic mode on a weapon is ILLEGAL in the UK. However paintball guns are NOT classed as air weapons because the paintballs burst on impact, as stated above they are classed as toys. Though in a court case the judge would not consider paintball guns as a toy compared to say a water pistol, it's not gonna be a generalised like that. Fully automatic modes on a paintball gun are therefore currently legal. But I'm pretty sure 100% of sites don't allow it anyway so it's a moot point.
Verdict: Fully auto mode is illegal to use on sites due to insurance and UKPSF recommendation
- Realistic Replica firearms are toys/weapons that are made specifically to look like a firearm. Replica imitation firearms are just anything that imitates a firearm but doesn't look like one. For example a realistic firearm would be something that looks like a m16, ak47 or anything real world. An imitation firearm could be militarily styled/authentic (say a gun from Halo), or say an ak47 that's painted unrealistically in a shade of pink.
Replica firearms are banned in the UK. Airsofters with realistic looking guns have worked to secure their game and special exceptions to laws were made for them. They can either register for a license at their skirmish field, or they can elect to have their gun turned more than 50% of a bright colour; orange, pink, blue etc.
Immitation firearms are allowed and paintball guns come under this category. In terms of the realistic/imitation argument, the majority of paintball guns do not look like realistic firearms. However because of paintball guns like the Tippman A5, Tm7 and the mag feeding guns do blur the line a little uncomfortably. To me a hopper and gastank (neccessary components) are enough to make them imitation firearms but this is a grey area and a court case would have to decide what makes a paintball gun realistic or not.
Be aware though that the general public will regardless of the guns colour and looks will probably only recognise the barrel and grip. They probably don't know what paintball is or what a paintball gun looks like. You don't what a fireteam unit on your ass so don't carry your gun openly in public.
Verdict: All paintball guns legal, but you are required to keep it covered at all times whilst carrying it in public
Your paintball gun cannot exceed more than 330 feet per second and this is a legal requirement. Any more than this is unsafe. The majority of paintball sites hover around 275 and no more than 300.
Verdict: Don't increase the velocity over 300fps. Ensure that the field you play at has a chronograph so that you can check the velocity for your own peace of mind, whether it is site equipment or your own.
- All paintball guns cannot be taken out into any public place or can be seen from a public place. If you do it needs to be hidden from sight in a secure bag or case. You also need to have a good reason to be carrying one (eg going to a paintball game). Same rules applys if you are driving to a game.
Even if your in your own home or car, you gun cannot be viewable from the street. Don't prance with your gun by the window, someone may see and before you know it your house will be surrounded by cops.
Also your paintball gun needs to be dissasembled and unable to fire. Don't worry too much, I would say 'dissasmbled' would be a gun without the tank and hopper. I don't think you don't need to take the bolt out or anything.
Verdict: Make sure your gun is hidden from view, secure and dissasembled. Also you MUST have a good reason to take it outside the boundaries of your house and garden.
- You are allowed to shoot on private land with the permission of the owner. However you need to be a certain distance from any public road, paths etc, Even public paths that cross the owners land. Hence why you will find that paintball sites are a long way from the main road! I'm not sure of the distance, I think it's 15 yards. Also, some areas may have bylaws that protect nature etc, so you'll need to look those up.
Verdict: You can shoot in your backgarden, but make sure it is enclosed and the paintballs do not leave the boundary of your property. Please make sure your neighbours are aware of your hobby and keep noise to a minimum. At no time fire your marker at a living creature.
This should cover all the common legalities around paintball that you need to know. Please note however this is only my interpretation as how I have understood the laws, I could be wrong or a precedent could be later made that states something different. If anyone knows that what I've written is wrong then please say so so I can change it.
This post has been edited by GoldenElite0: Today, 11:53 PM
I've written this in plain speak rather than copy and pasting bit's of generic law wording.
