A court in Germany has made a ruling against paintball. Info:  www.savepaintball.com

The court said, among other things, that:

"Simulating combat scenes and the killing of people as leisure activities for the purpose of entertainment...is contrary to the system of values devoted to the protection of human dignity and human life."

And also said:

"The simulated use of force as a means of entertainment plays down real violence in an  unacceptable way. ...   The simulated use of force (in real life this would result in criminal prosecution)... must not become socially acceptable as a result of such leisure activities."

"The growing tendency to become dead to the respect for life is...incompatible with a state's monopoly on the use of force allowing an individual to resort to violence in predicaments only."

The court referred to a 1988 German court ruling, that referred to a German court ruling made in 1933 (yes, 1933)!

The earlier rulings were:  Ruling by the Higher Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia, Judgment given on May 31, 1988 - Ref. No. : 5 A 2638/85 -referring to the judgment given by the Higher Administrative Court in Prussia on November 9, 1933 - Ref. No. : III.C. 109/33), in : Higher Administrative Court in Prussia, 91, 139, 140.
 

The translation into English of the current ruling was provided to APG magazine. APG is not affiliated or associated with www.savepaintball.com, which is asking for funds to support an appeal of this court ruling.
 

Jessica Sparks
Action Pursuit Magazine