Legality of a Paintball Marker (Gun)

[Bill Roosa]

The recommended solution

That horn thing is to be used in these situations. Multiple rapid blasts should alert him to your concern. THEN once you get him looking at you take his picture insuring you have his registration number or boat name included in one of the pictures. the rest is just paperwork on your part to report him to the proper police jurisdiction.
A long telephoto lens is helpful as he motors away making obscene finger gestures’ and the like.
I would not put it past some individuals to turn around to "fix" the situation they just caused. Their solution may require you to "repel boarders" so keep the camera and boat hook handy.
As for paint balls, I believe there is a law (in VA at least) about throwing stuff (paper cup of ice) from cars where the perpetrator was fined with assault. Threw a paper cup of ice that hit the other fellow’s windshield and almost caused a wreck. Paint balls would probably fall into this category.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

This may provide a good alternative to paint balls.

http://www.thebeachcats.com/OnTheWire/westnet/_lpm/hobie/archives/v1-i2/humor.html

 

[Ross]

Fantasy calls for a deck mounted .50 cal MG. No sense fooling around, settle out of court.

 

[Paul356]

You shoot paintballs at some dumb guy's big power boat and you think he won't respond? You'll be the one hearing from the cops. Or, worse, he escalates the physical stuff. Get the video evidence and report him.

 

[zeehag]

i was advised it is unlawful to have projectiles shot from your boat. is some kind of act of war or something like that from eons ago in maritime law. you may , instead, want to get fotos and videos of the acts and publish them into a place where someone of authority will see them. horns and pa systems work also. but i would watch and research well the projectile thing---just being safe--a neighbor was warned when he threw sea water at someone from his boat--

 

[Sailm8]

I was warned by Fish and Game about my potato cannon. After the warning he measured all the parts and made a diagram.

 

[zeehag]

I was warned by Fish and Game about my potato cannon. After the warning he measured all the parts and made a diagram.

dang--they liked it, then...

 

[OldCat]

Fantasy calls for a deck mounted .50 cal MG. No sense fooling around, settle out of court.

I was told by a park ranger that there was nothing in the local statutes to prevent firing a missile at an errant Jet Ski. Although, he did recommend homing torpedoes, not the missiles. Harder to spot the source, I guess . This the ranger did after he had given boating excellence awards to several operators of the above mentioned craft who were doing high speed donuts AROUND the no wake buoy . Even Ex coasties turned rangers engage in fantasy...

OC
Qapla' batlh je (Success and Honor)

 

[alexco38]

self deploy spool of steel wires

I wonder if a spool of steel wire "accidentally" deployed in front of the offending boat would do the job. It'll be dead in the water.

 

[alexco38]

Since steel wire sink pretty quickly, it would not be a hazard for someone coming thru after.

 

[kpgraci]

Possible solution...

 

[Nereussailor]

I'd give anything to have boats pass us at 100ft. When we're in the ICW, they usually pass at full speed within 30 to 40 ft sometimes closer. It happens EVERY TIME we go out. One passed us the other day if I could have turned on the bilge pump, I could have hit his boat. I was thinking something more like a big squirt gun.

Dave S

 

[MrBill_FLL]

video tape!

that is your best offensive weapon. shown to local marine patrols. and media....

 

[Hermit Scott]

I think you could get away with a water cannon. After all they are already on the water. If someone shot my wife with a paintball gun I would board their boat and try to dislocate their jaw. But a water cannon is more like fun and games than assault.
I caught a guy breaking the mirror off my car trying to break in. I came out with two sticks to put a hurting on him. He begged me to not hit him. I couldn't bring my self to do it. For that situation though I would have gladly and cheerfully lit him up with a paintball gun. I think the 'punishment' should fit the crime. A paintball gun can leave nasty bruises. A water cannon is much less likely to seriously harm anyone though.

 

[Ross]

I have seen schematics of the water jets they use in Vegas for the displays. all you need that isn't normally on a boat is compressed air.

 

[kenn]

If only...

I too fantasize about a paintball gun ... and also know it is the wrong idea.

Cameras, video, getting registration numbers, are the best ideas.

I also liked the idea of hailing the boat on CH 16 and continually naming them and mentioning the action. Am I correct that the Coast Guard and other services probably record CH 16 traffic? It would certainly help establish time of an occurrence.

 

[BobM]

Re: If only...

I wonder if butyric acid is compatible with latex balloons? Probably not...be hell in a super soaker though...I bet they would be jumping overboard.

 

[Ross]

Re: If only...

Just find their dock and dive on the boat and hang some anchor chain on the prop.

 

[rgranger]

Shooting a paintball marker at someone who is not playing paintball with you can be considered assault in most circumstances.

Actually that is battery. Assault is when you threaten so harm someone and battery is when you actually do it.

But seriously this is a dumb idea. He reports you.... and then what. He has paint all over his boat to show the cops and you have what? A story. If I was the cop I'm thinking you are the crazy here.

A camera is the way to go.

 

[Gail R]

I too fantasize about a paintball gun ... and also know it is the wrong idea.

Cameras, video, getting registration numbers, are the best ideas.

I also liked the idea of hailing the boat on CH 16 and continually naming them and mentioning the action. Am I correct that the Coast Guard and other services probably record CH 16 traffic? It would certainly help establish time of an occurrence.

The response you get with a Ch. 16 hail may vary. I remember such a hail, I think from a lobsterman pulling traps in Muscle Ridge Channel in Maine, about some recreational power boater created a huge wake in the channel. Wakes are a PITA for us, no question. But imagine trying to haul and getting hit with a wake at an inopportune moment -- these guys could lose a limb that way. Anyhoo... the lobsterman used some rather colorful language to describe the offending boat and its actions. It was followed by a stern reminder from the Coast Guard that Ch. 16 is for hailing and distress purposes only.

Now maybe if the lobsterman's hail had included more constructive information, like boat name and specific location, the USCG reaction might have been different. I don't know. But I wouldn't count on the CG doing anything for you in response to a hail about a wake.