A new law passed by the state legislature will splatter across the news in Pennsylvania, making the transport of a loaded or fully assembled paintball gun illegal on public roadways.

Effective Jan. 21, the law aims to deter irresponsible paintball gun users in Pennsylvania.

"No single specific incident, but a culmination of many incidents throughout the commonwealth with people shooting at other cars on highways and even houses being damaged by paintball sprees," has been a contributing factor in why the law was enacted, Centre County District Justice Brad Lunsford said.

Lunsford said the law is too premature to determine whether it will have an effect on the use of paintball guns.

"There's a law for driving under the influence and people still do it," Lunsford said.

The law states it is illegal to carry a loaded or operational paintball gun on a public highway, meaning the gun must be unloaded or disarmed.

A violation of the law will result in a maximum fine of $300 and a minimum 90-day imprisonment period, according to a press release.

A paintball gun propels an encapsulated gelatin paintball using an air or gas tank, attached to the top of the gun, which makes the paintball gun fire, according to the release.

Members of the Penn State Paintball Association said the new law would not negatively affect their club.

"(The law) shouldn't affect those who take the sport seriously," Dillon Gerdish (sophomore-electrical engineering) said.

Gerdish also said he doesn't know how easy the law will be to enforce since most people traveling with assembled paintball guns will be unlikely to disassemble them while driving.

"It's difficult to carry a loaded gun anyway because they are easy to see and there's no point unless your intention is to vandalize property," PSPA President Adam Long (sophomore-mechanical engineering) said.

PSPA members also said paintball guns cannot be fully assembled and fit in their carrying cases.

The main use for paintball guns according to PSPA members is for tournaments, sponsored games and recreational activities.

Although PSPA members use paintball guns in that manner, some people use paintball guns illegally.

"Anyone can buy a paintball gun at Wal-Mart or Kmart and paintball guns are more accessible, more people are buying them and using them improperly," Lunsford said.

Lunsford also said there has been an increase in paintball gun incidents within the last two to three years.

"A windshield covered with paint obstructs your view and becomes a public safety concern while also startling drivers," he said.

Experienced paintball gun owners, such as PSPA members, should have little to worry about concerning the new law.

"I don't think anyone in their right mind would carry a loaded paintball gun in their vehicle, it seems like common sense — you shouldn't transport an operational gun until you're ready to play," Gerdish said.