Border agents to use paintball guns to fend off attackers

Kindrox · May 3, 2008

If it wasn't from a real news story I would have laughed at it as a joke.

http://www.azfamily.com/news/homepagetopstory/stories/Tucson_local_news_042308_border-patrol-paintball.93c72b2d.html

TUCSON - Some surprising news came from the United States Border Patrol.

The Patrol has purchased 1,000 guns that fire non-lethal paintball or pepper pellets. The goal of a target practice session was to hit the white rag at the end of a hall with paintballs. Border Patrol agents may soon use paintballs to defend themselves against smugglers along the border due to an increase in violence.

Surveillance video from an incident last year in El Paso shows a Border Patrol agent retreating after people pelt him with rocks. Some could argue the same about being hit by a paintball without protective gear, where a projectile from a paintball gun leaves a small welt on the flesh.

Small welt or not, human rights activists say it is a bad idea, even for a line of defense.

walking arsenal · May 3, 2008

Small welt or not, human rights activists say it is a bad idea, even for a line of defense.

And they'd be right for once.

41magsnub · May 3, 2008

This is wrong on so many different levels my mind cannot focus on one to rebut it properly.

Autolycus · May 3, 2008

Thank Bush for caring about securing this country. I am sure McCain loves this idea.

We need better border security as it is. This is not the way to go about that.

The Lone Haranguer · May 3, 2008

The goal of a target practice session was to hit the white rag at the end of a hall with paintballs.

I can see it for this or other forms of training, I guess.

Border Patrol agents may soon use paintballs to defend themselves against smugglers ...

I'm not buying that.

Andrewsky · May 3, 2008

"Hola EEUU!"

*Poof, poof, poof"

"Dios Mio! Regresamos a Mexico!"

penenpitsu · May 3, 2008

I can see where they are coming from, as paintballs are usually not lethal if shot in the right places, but I think it is a bad idea especially if they encounter someone with a real firearm.

It'd be interesting if they used glow-in-the-dark paintballs during the night. You could see where the people start running

chris in va · May 3, 2008

Aren't they used to hot stuff?

The Lone Haranguer · May 3, 2008

It'd be interesting if they used glow-in-the-dark paintballs during the night. You could see where the people start running

Marking a target for ID or some other future reference is a possibility.

Wildfire · May 3, 2008

Ya what he said.

Hey There:
This sounds like a good way to get shot. I mean with a real gun. Wonder if they thought about that or just think this is some kind of game ? What's next ?
Paint balls guns for drug raids ?

Thernlund · May 3, 2008

^^^^

Unfortunately that's likely what it'll take for them to rethink it; someone getting shot.

-T.

sauger · May 3, 2008

Do they make Trijicon paintballs? They would glow for 12 years (well 12 year half life anyway)

Wildfire · May 3, 2008

Better Idea.

Hey again:
Why not send 10 or 15 German Sheapards in there. Or maybe some Pit Bulls, then just slam the door shut and leave.

sauger · May 3, 2008

Hey again:
Why not send 10 or 15 German Sheapards in there. Or maybe some Pit Bulls, then just slam the door shut and leave.

If only there was a door to shut! The door in place now is as useful as a screen door on a submarine.

Eightball · May 3, 2008

Even better idea:

Freeze the paintballs.

cleardiddion · May 3, 2008

Even better idea:
Use powder to launch a small lead ball at the bad guys.

Biker · May 3, 2008

It's another tool. No more, no less.

Biker

coylh · May 3, 2008

"You'll shoot their eye out."

Thernlund · May 3, 2008

Even better idea:
Use powder to launch a small lead ball at the bad guys.

Hmmm... wouldn't putting a spin on a conical-shaped projectile be better? Then maybe we could make up some kind on holder for the projectile out of brass or something and then put the powder in that with it? Then you could have more than one in a nice easy package all ready to go. Eh?

-T.

Wildfire · May 3, 2008

Even Better idea.

Do all of the above.

McCall911 · May 3, 2008

Border agents to use paintball guns to fend off attackers

I wonder how this un-policy plays with the border agents themselves.
Time for them to find a new line of work, maybe, and let these goofy #@)@#*! patrol the borders:

Small welt or not, human rights activists say it is a bad idea, even for a line of defense.

glasglow · May 3, 2008

Sounds like the Sherrif has been dipping into the whiskey before meetings.

p2000sk · May 3, 2008

In regard to post # 15,
A paintball kinda hurts,
frozen paintballs really hurt.

The Tourist · May 3, 2008

Biker said:
It's another tool. No more, no less.

I agree. We cannot dismiss the idea out of hand without seeing if the concept has a place.

You realize that the moment it works and saves a life, everyone and their uncle will claim they were onboard with the idea from day-one.

A few months ago I got teased from my peers because my EDC knife had a 1.5 inch blade--that is until they saw it. It was a Graham Brothers Stubby with a very dangerous edge. The problem is that they formed an opinion before they gave the idea a chance to work.

In fact, it might even be useful in a department's "escalation of force."

artherd · May 3, 2008

Interesting development. Appropriate for times when lethal force is not called for, but some force is.

I like the glow-in-the-dark idea.

Border agents to use paintball guns to fend off attackers

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