Mother wants Paintball guns regulated (CT)

WTNH Television ^ | 8/6/08 | Puppage

[Puppage]

(WTNH) -- Paintball guns are sold as a toy or a hobby, but they pack quite a punch. That's leading some to question whether paintball guns should regulated.

Paintballs fired from the gun can travel 300 feet per second and they're capable of causing serious harm.

Since the age of five, Christein Smith has wanted to play for the Yankees, but the 15-year-old All-Star catcher's dreams have been derailed after a backyard game of paintball.

"They were in the middle of a break and he got shot," said Melissa Smith of Portland.

A paintball pellet shattered Chris' right eye.

"Chris was the second patient within several months with the exact same injury, and the exact same result," said ophthalmologist, Dr. Elwin Schwartz.

According to Dr. Schwartz, this game is a growing concern in his industry. He says there are about 1,200 severe eye injuries every year from paintball. Many, like Chris, have permanent loss of vision.

"As long as the guns are loaded and they can be fired, if your helmet's not on, you're at risk," Dr. Schwartz said.

That's Something Chris' mom wants others to be aware of. Now, she's trying to get a bill passed to get the guns registered and locked-up, like other guns. "Send a message to the kids, teenagers, that these guns can cause serious damage," she said.

However, those who play say that won't work. "Registering a gun's not gonna stop those injuries. Enforcing the safety rules and knowing the safety rules are what's gonna prevent injuries," said Scott Potter of Eastern Paintball Supplies.

Potter says 10 million people now play the sport. The guns can be sold to anyone with parental permission or over 18 years old. Kids 10 years old and up are allowed to play at commercial fields and there are safeties on the guns, as well as barrel sleeves and plugs.

Potter says, it's safe if it's done right. "Just like anything, if you don't follow the rules -- or follow the safety rules with something -- anything could be dangerous. A baseball bat, football, anything," he said.

Eastern Paintball Supplies say they stress safety first at their fields and that no one can play, or be near the guns, without a helmet on.

Melissa has now gotten a petition going and she's planning to try to bring her bill up to the General Assembly in November.

[clee1]

Word!

[jjm2111]

That's Something Chris' mom wants others to be aware of. Now, she's trying to get a bill passed to get the guns registered and locked-up, like other guns. "Send a message to the kids, teenagers, that these guns can cause serious damage," she said.

What's stupid about the above is that real guns aren't registered in CT. This will go nowhere and the mom will look like a fool in public.