Paintballers dispute markers easily turned into deadly guns

PETALING JAYA, Nov 27: Professional paintball players and enthusiasts are disappointed with the decision by the police to give them a month to surrender their markers or “face action”.

An enthusiast, who only wished to be known as Syed, said it was not possible to convert a paintball marker into a deadly weapon.

“Yes, there are paintball markers and scenario markers that resemble actual guns but because of the low maximum velocity of a paintball marker, which shoots between 300 fps (feet per second) and 450 fps, it cannot kill someone,” he said.

“Paintball markers are not built to shoot at high velocities because the game itself is played in a small compound and in close range.”

Another regular player, who wished to remain anonymous, said the players will not surrender their markers to the police despite the deadline until they get answers on what the police will do with the markers.

“Many people do not realise the price of a marker ranges from RM700 to RM6,000. That’s a lot of money and the players will not blindly surrender their markers without a proper explanation,” she said.

She said the players had yet to schedule a meeting with the police.

Senior player Dean Lau A., who created a group on Facebook “Against Unsafe Paintball”, advised players not to vent their frustration over the social media.

“If you go against the police, you will only make matters worse. We are trying to make things right in a proper manner, so please do not post anything regarding this matter on Facebook or any related sites,” he said.

Bukit Aman logistics director Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said he welcomed paintball enthusiasts to discuss the decision by the police.

“They can come and see me anytime if they have suggestions or would like to share their input.”

Checks with several district police headquarter showed no one had come forward to surrender the guns following the announcement made on Monday.

source: Malay Mail Online