Every now and again some one asks about about the legality of paintball or about specific do's and don'ts. Most of it is common sense but everyone should have atleast read the laws that apply to paintball.
Legal speed limit.
Paintball markers are legal to own without a certificate or licence (Jersey is an exceptions to this rule). This is because they fire a non explosive projectile at less than 12ft/lbs (330fps). With most fields enforcing a strict policy of 300fps max or less, some tournaments are lowering the limit to 280fps (many markers are more consistant and efficient when setup to this speed).
Chronograph
To measure the speed that you marker fires at you need a chronographer (chrono). This accuratly measures the speed of the paintball and allows you to adjust your marker so it is shooting within the sites legal limit (and always below 300fps). If you think a marker is firing hot, ask to have it re chrono's it is in everyones interests.
Remember when using a 'live' marker always wear a mask and use a barrel condom when the marker is not being fired.
Weather, paintball bore match & paintball quality varies from day to day and batch to batch so it is very important to always chrono your marker at the begining of each day of play.
More info can be found here:
http://www.met.police.uk/firearms-enquiries/airguns1.htm
The common sense aspect of paintball is very important, we use markers not guns but to the untrained eye they can be mistaken for a firearm (especialy if you play milsim!). When your traveling with your marker keep it in a bag or carrying case and don't bring it out in public.
Car
There are some specific laws that cover paintballing when travelling, if you have a marker in your car it should not be gassed up or within reach of the driver even if it does not have hopper or gas system attached so keep it in your kit bag in the boot.
Public transport.
When traveling on pubic transport is it Illegal to have a compressed air source so you can be denied entry because you are carrying a dive tank or co2/air bottle on a bus.
Airplanes
You can take paintball equipment in the hold of airplanes. Your marker must be degassed and must not be attached to an air source or hopper. You can carry an air tank on most plane (check with the airline company you want to fly with for any specific rules) but you air tank should have the reg removed so the inside can be inspected and to ensure the tank is not pressurised. Even paintballs cannot be carried in your hand luggage and also must go in the hold.
Paint cannot be transported with the marker etc as it counts as carring a munition with a firearm.
You can inform your airline that you are carrying a "sports firearm" in your hold luggage. This can help to ensure that you have no problems with carrying paintball equipment in an airport.
If traveling to the states, this is very useful (Info thanks to Milky.):
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1745.shtm
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/compressed_gas.shtm
Legality of firing modes:
Legal speed limit.
Paintball markers are legal to own without a certificate or licence (Jersey is an exceptions to this rule). This is because they fire a non explosive projectile at less than 12ft/lbs (330fps). With most fields enforcing a strict policy of 300fps max or less, some tournaments are lowering the limit to 280fps (many markers are more consistant and efficient when setup to this speed).
Chronograph
To measure the speed that you marker fires at you need a chronographer (chrono). This accuratly measures the speed of the paintball and allows you to adjust your marker so it is shooting within the sites legal limit (and always below 300fps). If you think a marker is firing hot, ask to have it re chrono's it is in everyones interests.
Remember when using a 'live' marker always wear a mask and use a barrel condom when the marker is not being fired.
Weather, paintball bore match & paintball quality varies from day to day and batch to batch so it is very important to always chrono your marker at the begining of each day of play.
More info can be found here:
http://www.met.police.uk/firearms-enquiries/airguns1.htm
The common sense aspect of paintball is very important, we use markers not guns but to the untrained eye they can be mistaken for a firearm (especialy if you play milsim!). When your traveling with your marker keep it in a bag or carrying case and don't bring it out in public.
Car
There are some specific laws that cover paintballing when travelling, if you have a marker in your car it should not be gassed up or within reach of the driver even if it does not have hopper or gas system attached so keep it in your kit bag in the boot.
Public transport.
When traveling on pubic transport is it Illegal to have a compressed air source so you can be denied entry because you are carrying a dive tank or co2/air bottle on a bus.
Airplanes
You can take paintball equipment in the hold of airplanes. Your marker must be degassed and must not be attached to an air source or hopper. You can carry an air tank on most plane (check with the airline company you want to fly with for any specific rules) but you air tank should have the reg removed so the inside can be inspected and to ensure the tank is not pressurised. Even paintballs cannot be carried in your hand luggage and also must go in the hold.
Paint cannot be transported with the marker etc as it counts as carring a munition with a firearm.
You can inform your airline that you are carrying a "sports firearm" in your hold luggage. This can help to ensure that you have no problems with carrying paintball equipment in an airport.
If traveling to the states, this is very useful (Info thanks to Milky.):
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1745.shtm
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/compressed_gas.shtm
Legality of firing modes:
John C said:
