Laws by State:

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCalifornia
ColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgia
HawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowa
KansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMaryland
MassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouri
MontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew Jersey
New MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhio
OklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth Carolina
South DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermont
VirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

It is our goal to pull together the most complete database on laws across the country that affect paintball. If you know of a law on the books that affects paintball, please head over to the forums and post about it so we can get it added here. While this is meant to be a helpful guide, please understand that it is impossible for us to be sure that every law is listed (and currently, we can guarantee they are not all listed), so be sure to check with your local and state governmental authorities. We make no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of this information.

Currently, there are no known laws in the US which prohibit the possession of a paintball marker by an adult. Some laws affect when and how a minor may purchase and possess a paintball marker. Most urban areas prohibit the use of any projectile-launching device outside of areas designed for that purpose. Also keep in mind that paintball markers are generally considered to be a variety of airgun (BB gun, etc), so any airgun laws generally apply to paintball markers as well.

Regardless of the particular laws in your area, there are several things you should do as a responsible paintball player:

  • Never play paintball on land you do not have the permission of the owner to play on. THIS INCLUDES PUBLIC LAND like parks, state forests, etc. If you don't have permission to play from the owner of the land you are on, you are not allowed to play there, public land or otherwise.
  • When transporting a paintball marker, dissassemble the marker to the greatest degree possible, and always do so with the marker unloaded. Remove the hopper, barrel, and air tank, if possible, and make sure no paint remains in the chamber.
  • Never carry a paintball marker in plain sight in public areas. Not everyone will recognize a paintball marker at first glance. If you need to take your marker from point A to point B, put it in a bag or carrying case.
  • Avoid having a paintball marker in the passenger section of your car.

Shooting any non-participant with a paintball marker is assault! - While this should be obvious to everyone, there are always a stupid few out there who have to ruin it for everyone else, so just to make things clear: Never shoot anyone with a paintball marker who is not wearing proper paintball safety equipment and participating in or officiating a paintball game. Doing so is assault and carries a multi-year prison sentence. Paintball players everywhere will cheer when they lock you up.

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