Legal paintballing age on target to be dropped to 12
By Geoff Chambers From: The Daily Telegraph June 02, 2010 12:00AM

PRIMARY school kids will be allowed to shoot at each other in combat situations if the State Government approves a police push to change the rules of paintball.
The NSW Police Force wants the legal age for paintball games dropped from 16 to 12.
That means Year 6 students could handle high-powered weapons in skirmish scenarios. [ what high powered weapons?]

Local paintball operators also have backed school leagues, in which students would compete against each other for points.
Police Minister Michael Daley said he was aware of the police submission, which is expected to be handed to him this month.
"I'll await formal advice from the NSW Police Force on this matter. I would be happy to consult with the industry pending that submission," he said.
Any changes made to the Firearms Registry guidelines would require approval from Mr Daley.

The National Coalition for Gun Control raised concerns last night that lowering the legal age for paintball would set a bad precedent for firearms use.[they would wouldn't they]
"If you allow one [issue] to be reduced, there's no doubt that it will move on to other categories of firearms use," spokeswoman Samantha Lee said. [cojecture, Sam]

But after spending 10 years lobbying for change, Action Paintball Games owner Michael Whybrew has backed the proposed reform, saying the sport had been left behind in Australia due to government restrictions.

"My 13-year-old daughter has been badgering me since she was a little girl because she wants to get out there. You look at all of the kids who suffer from obesity and this would be the perfect remedy," Mr Whybrew said.

"I don't think it is unsafe for a 12-year-old to get involved with paintball. You'll get the same types of injuries playing footy or tripping over a tree stump.

"The safety policies are very strict," he said.

Paintball guns shoot spherical gelatin capsules containing dye and leave welts and bruises on the body. In the US, high schools and universities are involved in regular skirmish battles.

Mr Whybrew, who operates paintball centres at Rouse Hill and in Perth, regularly travels overseas to compete.
He returned from an international tournament in Malaysia on Monday.
"It was easier getting the paintball gun through their customs compared with bringing it back into Australia," he said.

The only thing that I don't like about the real guns is the state of mind that its owner might have.

During his teen years my son played video games for hour upon hour, he was shooting and blood was spattering every time I came into his room. I used to worry, but needn't have, at twenty four, he's a law abiding citizen who's hobby is landscape photography.

Christine,
How do you feel about motor cars?

Its the same with cars,as it is with guns, its the stae of mind of the owner, be it rage, intoxication, distraction or tiredness that can make them a danger.

Terrorists use petrol, diesel, kerosene, oil, caustic soda and other products that are freely available. Percussion caps that are used as igniters are also freely available, no licence required. Very precise timing mechanisms are also freely available.
Does the social utility of a product mean that it is acceptable when lives are lost or can be put at serious risk?

Percussion caps that are used as igniters are also freely available, no licence required. Very precise timing mechanisms are also freely available.

The fire began with the ignition of two 23agi-litre drums of diesel fuel in the building's foyer.