State looks to kill paintball fights on public land

State officials plan a crackdown on paintball fights in state parks and recreation areas. Janet Ott of the Department of Natural Resources’ Parks division says paintball doesn’t fit the mission of the parks.Ott says the proposed rule would make it illegal to have a paintball gunfight in a state park. Those found guilty would have to go to court, and a judge would decide how large the fine would be for an illegal paintball game.Ott says paintball “war games” end up defacing or destroying plants, trees and even the buildings in parks.Iowans who want to play paintball in the great outdoors have a chance to sound off about the proposal. You can write the state a letter. Address it to Steve Pennington at the Department of Natural Resources in Des Moines. The zip is 50319. (His e-mail address is steve.pennington@dnr.state.ia.us)