Expedite exemption of paintball marker in Weapons Act - Khairy

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Sunday called for the process of exempting paintball markers in the implementation of the Weapons Act 1960 to be expedited to ensure that the development of the sport will not be affected.

He said the power to exempt the paintball marker in the implementation of the Act was in the hand of Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who already agreed to it.

"Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid has informed me that he, as the minister, has decided to exempt paintball marker in the act," Khairy, who is also UMNO Youth chief, told reporters after opening a joint-meeting of the Kota Melaka Wanita, Youth and Puteri UMNO branches here Sunday.

However, Khairy said the exemption process would need some time as it involved many procedures, including intense scrutiny by the legal division of the ministry.

The second round of the National Paintball League, scheduled to begin here yesterday, was cancelled because it flouted the Weapons Act 1960.

Khairy said the cancellation of the event on Saturday should not have taken place.

"I understand the police were only carrying out their duties...but I really hope that no more raids will be held until the exemption process for paintball marker is completed," he said.

The minister said this was because continuous raids would affect public enthusiasm on the sport and that he believed although paintball marker was listed in the Weapons Act 1960, it would not be rampantly used to commit crime in the country.

Last November, police gave a month notice to owners of fake firearms, especially those being used in shooting sports, such as paintball marker, air soft gun and ball bearing gun, to surrender the weapons or apply for licences as required under the Act.