Definition:
-"Hobo Hunting" - As it pertains to paintball
The act of 'recreationally' targeting the homeless population for assault with paintball guns. Individuals who engage in this sort of activity with conspire together to 'hunt' members of the homeless using paintball markers.
The Larger Issue:
The larger issue is that this isn't just accepted by some niche group of people, it's referenced jokingly by others in the paintball community and all of this leaves a very bad taste in society's mouth concerning our sport.
One Facebook page that I used to like, as they came off as a group for new players in the UK, and they decided to make an unnecessary reference to "hobo hunting" in a picture that had nothing to do with paintball, or this ridiculous activity. I've been leery of their posts for a bit, as they seem very erratic, some nonsensical, but this did it for me. https://www.facebook.com/pages/PaintballLondon/456077411135098?fref=ts is NOT a page that should be seen as a legitimate piece of the paintball community, and I do not believe that they have the sport's best interests at heart.
One Facebook page that I used to like, as they came off as a group for new players in the UK, and they decided to make an unnecessary reference to "hobo hunting" in a picture that had nothing to do with paintball, or this ridiculous activity. I've been leery of their posts for a bit, as they seem very erratic, some nonsensical, but this did it for me. https://www.facebook.com/pages/PaintballLondon/456077411135098?fref=ts is NOT a page that should be seen as a legitimate piece of the paintball community, and I do not believe that they have the sport's best interests at heart.
My Position:
Folks, since I started working my way into the sport I've grown to love it and everything it stands for. Fair play, opportunity, friendship, teamwork, physical fitness... All of the best things in life can be found in paintball and I'd like to share that fact with as many people as I can. On the flip side of that drive comes the determination to put down any messages being generated by individuals who only want to damage paintball's reputation, or who want to use paintballing materials to illegitimate or harmful ends.
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| Saw this while Googling for paintball material... Love it |
Paintball is an extremely safe, fun, and motivating sport. It promotes qualities that should be valued by any society but because of a few, irresponsible people, the sport has gotten a bad rap in many countries and communities. I've heard stories of neighbourhood troublemakers driving down streets and firing at innocent passers-by, hobo hunting was another activity I'd heard of where markers and paint were being used inappropriately, and I'm sure there are many more illicit uses of the sport's affiliated equipment but these people do NOT represent paintball. These people represent poor parenting, the effects of circumstance on the developing mind, society's devolution and in the most basic sense, shit disturbers with nothing to contribute to society.
Running on Empty:
Okay so here's where I wrap everything up into a neat little bow... First of all, paintballing is a sport like any other and involves a set of risks inherent with participation. Steps are taken by responsible paintballers, field owners and managers and paintball companies to prevent injury. Second, people will continue to have free will and abuse certain privileges in life however just because one person drinks and drives doesn't mean we should ban alcohol or motor vehicles... Saving the planet would be a much more valid reason for banning those things :P My third and final point goes out to all the groups who treat paintball like some evil pass-time akin to eating babies or who misrepresent the values of the sport... Get your facts right and do it quick because we don't have time for your ignorance clouding other peoples' minds about our wonderful sport!
Remember as always everyone...
Keep calm and throw paint!
Joshua J. Taylor - The 'noob' Baller
