A subject that seems to keep rearing its head every few years is the use of camoflage in paintball.

A lot of people say it should be tossed out, that it only reinforces the warped stereotype that paintball 
games are paramilitary training programs and a threat to public safety.  They say the sport can be 
played with-out it, and it's only one small thing to give up in to appease those who would otherwise 
ban paintball.

Well here's my $0.02 on the matter.

Yeah, I can concieve of some pea brained maramilitary nuts using the sport of paintball for training.  
They wouldn't be very bright if they did.  Paintball tactics, like hiding behind a bush for cover don't 
work in life and death warfare, bullets go through bushes, trees, busses, walls, etc.  However, that 
has nothing to do with the sport of paintball.  It's akin to calling baseball players gang members 
because some street gang beat up an old lady with a baseball bat.

With that point covered, capitulating in camo (sitting by in the face of Handgun Control International's 
moves to make camoflage clothing illegal) only helps to make paintballer's look guilty when they 
aren't.  What we need to do is *educate* the public, and our government officials as to what our sport 
is really about.  When it's seen that it's just another sport, the gun banning groups won't be able to 
use their scare tactics to convince the lawmakers that we are evil.

I certainly think camoflage clothing has it's place in the sport.  It helps in conceal a player, which can 
help them succede.  Now what about small field tournament games, where camoflage isn't effective?  
Why bother with it?  IMHO, speedball players clad in whites, blacks, and neon colors will certainly 
help promote the "not war related" image of the sport.  

What do I wear?  I used to wear camos, but after playing on a slightly drizzly day in my black 
trench-coat, I liked the feel and uniqueness of it.  I've traded in my camoflage pants for a pair of black 
BDU pants from the surplus store, and switched over to black gear.  The dark color helps a little when 
I am trying to hide in shadows, and the trechcoat is unique enough that folks know who I am when 
they see me.  Of course it has it's drawbacks in the summer.  "He's not low-crawling through the 
grass - He's passed out from heat exhaustion!"