Outlaw Paintball

Some say "outlaw" paintball is that which is played outside of commercial fields. Some say it's playing without the land- owner's permission. Basically, if you are playing without independent supervision -- you're playing "outlaw".

If you are going to play outlaw paintball, the most important thing to remember is that: YOU MAY NOT BE PLAYING AT A REAL COMMERCIAL FIELD, BUT YOU SHOULD ACT THAT WAY.

Safety

• Have a chronograph. There's no excuse not to have one. You can all chip in and get a Shooting Chrony for around $80 US. Our club has at least three.
• Have a sheltered staging area. The staging area should be well away from the playing area, so there's no danger of stray paintballs hitting those who have removed their goggles.
• Enforce the use of barrel plugs in the staging area.
• Have a "deadline" and enforce it. The deadline is the point where you have to have goggles on, when entering the playing area, and have to have plugs in when entering the staging area.
  

The Proper Place to Play

• Have permission to use the land, and preferably play on private land. NEVER play on municipal, state/provincial or federal land. (You'll rarely get permission, anyway.) EVERYONE has access to that land and you don't want hikers strolling into your game.
• Playing on private land also has its disadvantages. Even with permission, the landowner still has the ultimate legal responsibility, should someone get hurt while playing. If someone falls down an abandoned well, they have full rights to sue the landowner.
• Private land has the advantages of usually being fenced, and the public has limited access to it.
• Posting "no trespassing" and "no hunting" signs will help you remain separate from the general populace.
• It's easier if the landowner is a member of your club or team, or at least a direct relative.
  

General Behaviour

REMAIN INVISIBLE. You should be playing and setting up well away from casual observation. You don't want the neighbours calling the local police. It's always a good idea to let the neighbours know what you're doing. This is also why it's good if the landowner is a member of your club or team, or at least a direct relative. The neighbours will know you. They're more likely to accept your explanation of the sport if they know you, than to get it from a complete stranger. Also, invite them to come out and observe. (You MUST provide them with the proper eye protection.)

If you have to unload your cars on the roadway and hump your kit in, make sure your paintmarkers are in bags or wrapped up. Don't openly brandish them around a public road.

Also, don't park along the road if you're not supposed to.

Conclusion

Playing outlaw is not altogether wrong if it's done responsibly, unless you're breaking local ordinances. Some cities outlaw the discharge of any projectile firing device, including air guns, within their city limits. If you're playing outlaw because you want somewhere to play that's closer to your place of residence, you may want to reassess your choice. Remote areas have the advantage of being inaccessible to the general populace.

The woodlot out in back of the town mall is NOT a place to be playing paintball. Irresponsible players make the term "outlaw" a dirty word.

I have heard reports of players playing in an industrial park, in an abandoned building in the city centre, a public park and in a wooded area along a highway divider. ALL of these people were arrested by the police and their equipment was confiscated.

I think the quote is "stupid is as stupid does”.

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