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Published on 02-06-2010 13:45
Legal paintballing age on target to be dropped to 12
by Geoff Chambers in the Daily Telegraph
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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