This petition is for the lowering of the age restriction on the usage of paintball markers in Australia from 18 to 16 or lower, as well as making usage of markers legal off certified fields.

Firearm laws in Australia are different to other countries.in that they are ridiculous. Only in this country can someone as young as 16 be allowed to fire a high powered sniper rifle, with the correct license, but not an infinitely safer paintball marker. To operate a paintball marker in Australia anywhere but on certified company owned fields you must be 18. I think this is ridiculous. And why can you not use them on your own private property? Would you want your sons and daughters to be using lethal firearms in your own backyard, or an air powered tube that launches balls of paint? Over 50\% of firearm accidents in Australia happen as a result of kids using firearms. If those same kids had been playing a game of paintball instead those accidents would never have happened.

Officially paintball is a sport, and like any sport people do sometimes get injured. But statistically more people get injured annually playing sports like golf and tennis. Some playing golf even get killed, but you dont need a license to use a lethal golf club or cricket bat do you? So why a non-lethal paint launcher??? You can use lethal golf clubs and cricket bats in your own backyard.

Paintball is a non-lethal sport. It is fun, good for fitness, and usually played outdoors. I think anything that will make our countries youth go outside instead of sitting at home and playing the computer, or even using lethal firearms, is a good thing for this country, especially if it is safe.

So please sign this petition, get firearms out of our kids hands and replace them with non-lethal paintball markers. And let people use markers on their own property, because people should have a say in what they do on their own property, provided it wont interfere with another persons life. I agree to punishment to the incorrect use of markers, but not everyone who uses them are criminals, some people just want to enjoy the sport.