Paintball Rules

[guppy]

Oakley Doakley guys & gals...to test your general paintball knowledge and to help Mr Guppy who is a lawyer & has a paintball related case coming up soon.....

Where do i find the British legislation/ guidelines on where when markers can/can't be used. I'm not talking commom sense but actual law. I believe under 10's can't use a marker, under 14's only with adult supervision or at an organised site, and only over 18's to purchase a marker. I also believe a marker can be used (anywhere?) as long as everyone within 300metres is wearing goggles. I'm not sure on my facts though & don't know where this is written down in law, if at all. I also heard that a marker is covered by the 1968 firearms act (amended in 2000?) and classed as an 'airgun'. However, if you know better (and i just bet you do!) then please reply....Mr Guppy may also want to employ an 'expert witness' on markers/the law concerning them for a couple of hundred quid per day...anyone spring to mind?

 

[guppy]

Oh and btw....

In case you're thinking it.... He's NOT defending me or anyone i know!!!

 

[cowface]

A: u dont have to be 18 to purchase a paintball gun. and B: about the mask's, u can be within 300 metrs and not use a mask, just i think there has to be a safety netting and a certain hight.
and is it the 1967 firearms act?

 

[FAMINE]

personally i think the only law regarding them is the FPS one.

i think the rest is just common sense.

Am pretty sure they are classed as air rifles kinda thing and just as you can pretty much shoot at anything legally. Intent becomes the crime.

Such as disturbing the peace, vandalism, recklessness etc etc.

Pretty much they can book ya with something as nothing exists.

I may be way wrong but i think its pretty much a legal grey area as nothing has really gone to court over it as far as i am aware.

 

[manike]

Paintball guns are covered by the firearms act 1968-1997 and sections specifically related to airguns.

To break it down... go here http://www.jonger.dabsol.co.uk/Airgun Law.htm

If you want any specific answers I may be able to help as I looked into this in depth some years back. I'm currently away in Germany with work and may not be able to reply for a day or two.

The use of airguns is not a grey area but some of the application to paintball markers is. Just depends on what court of law you want to prove your point in

manike

 

[FAMINE]

re read my post and it came out wrong.

When i said shhot at anything i meant on your own land, but not people or animals etc as this is assault/mistreatment of animals etc.

Didnt know about the transport bit but it kinda makes sense so as not to get the swat teams on ya back

ignore me, listen to manike

 

[Hotpoint]

Much as it goes against the grain to help out a lawyer may I ask what is the nature of the case and could the UKPSF possibly be of some assistance?

I am reasonably up on the relevant Firearms Legislation myself but depending on the nature/complexity of the case I could easily dig up my notes (also got some reasonably applicable Case Law written somewhere but I'd have to track it down).

If the issue is not one you consider public domain you can email me on jonleehayes@yahoo.com

BTW if you're paying out for "expert" witnesses may I suggest a Federation Representative... and for anybody thinking this would be a mercenary move on my part I'd donate any money to the UKPSF

Holier than thou... but would prefer a Warp-Feed to a Halo

 

[Tom Tom]

Hotpoint, I love your selfless acts of generosity.........ohh Warp feed..........to the UKPSF

 

[Hotpoint]

Originally posted by Tom Tom
Hotpoint, I love your selfless acts of generosity.........ohh Warp feed..........to the UKPSF

Warpfeed line was meant to be joke Halo/Holier than Thou.... I guess I'm just not funny. Either that or did you did realise and left off your smilie by accident?

Hey it's not Selfless at all. It just appeals to my ego to be doing something (anything) to help Paintball.

Add in my martyr complex and you can pretty much explain most things I do (no psychoanalysis please)

 

[guppy]

Thanks for your input guys. The truth is i dont know all the ins and outs of the case, Mr Guppy hasnt enlightened me (professional confidence & all that) but the gist of it is that someone has been shooting their marker in somewhere that may be deemed a public place. No idea why, where or if anyone/thing was hurt/damaged. He doesnt bore me with the ins & outs of Lawyerdom & i don't reciprocate with Paintball talk! However, on this occasion it seems the twain have met! Hotpoint, i thought the Halo joke was funny! I'm sure the UKPSF would be the perfect people to talk to in this case & if you dont mind, can i forward your e-mail address onto Mr Guppy??
Manike, thanks for the link, i knew the info was out there somewhere & you lot were the guys to ask! Would you also mind giving advice to Mr G on any specific questions he may have? On the link you posted, it states that weapons with an output of less than 1ft/lb are exempt from the Act. Although i have the formula for calculating ft/lbs the missing factor is the weight (in grains) of the paintball. Do you happen to know what the weight of paintball is in grains, or better still what a 'grain' is?
I shall wait for your OK guys before i pass your details on....

PS on another subject...are any of you guys up for the Jocks & Boxers 2002 tourney that Robin is organising? I think one or two of you are local to the site??? I've already registered my team!!!