| For the uninitiated in the realm of paintballing, you may | | | | all sport eye injuries, others have pointed to traditional |
| find that you hear the weapon of choice called | | | | sports like basketball, baseball, hockey, and racquetball |
| different things from different players. The main point | | | | as being the main sources. While eye injuries sustained |
| of confusion comes with deciphering the difference | | | | in paintball are usually very serious, studies have |
| between paintball markers and paintball guns. You | | | | shown that those typically happened in games where |
| have heard those terms used but not know the real | | | | the player was not wearing the protective head mask |
| difference between them. | | | | required in all tournaments. |
| Ready for the answer? | | | | The fact of the matter is that any inherent dangers |
| Simply put: there is none. | | | | involving paintball markers are no greater than any |
| That's right. None. There is no difference at all | | | | other professional sport. Injuries to football players, |
| between paintball markers and guns beyond the | | | | hockey players, and basketball players are all normal |
| verbiage. | | | | and expected. The only difference for paintball has |
| This, of course, begs the question of just why there is | | | | been the use of the word "gun" and nothing more. |
| one to begin with. Why use more than one term to | | | | Paintball markers can be used for fun or for injury, just |
| describe the same thing? That just seems | | | | like a hockey stick or baseball bat can be. There's no |
| counterproductive and more likely to engender | | | | real difference in terms of risk of injury in paintball than |
| confusion for newcomers. | | | | in other sports. |
| The reasoning behind the terms is based on the | | | | The term itself is derived from the origin of paintball |
| connotations associated with each. If you hear | | | | guns, which was to mark trees and wandering cattle. |
| someone say "paintball markers", you're more likely to | | | | Gaming enthusiasts found this and discovered a way |
| think of someone getting marked with paint. Harmless | | | | to use them for a fun pastime. The goal of the game |
| enough. Hear "paintball guns" and you immediately think | | | | is not to injure or harm the other player by any means. |
| of bruising, shooting, and pain. Not exactly the funniest | | | | The aim from its creation was to create an adrenaline |
| words in the dictionary. So more professionally minded | | | | pumping sport that everyone could enjoy. Paintball |
| paintball players have shifted their vocabulary to reflect | | | | markers allow players to enjoy the chance to use |
| a greater awareness and sensitivity to those unfamiliar | | | | teamwork, cooperation, and strategy in a safe |
| with the sport. | | | | framework, just like any other team sport. |
| Many people unfamiliar with the equipment involved | | | | Efforts have been made to de-emphasize the |
| have the misconception that paintball is more | | | | perceived violent nature of the game, like using paintball |
| dangerous than other popular sports. The most serious | | | | markers instead of guns. Many professional teams |
| injury that it's been vilified for is eye injury. Studies have | | | | have also begun wearing more colorful uniforms as |
| produced some conflicting results on this; while some | | | | opposed to traditional military camouflage. |
| argue that paintball markers account for 20 percent of | | | | |