'All You Have To Do is Pull the Trigger:' Inside Fair Lawn's Paintball Store

Chest pads, helmets, ammo, and what appears to be artillery. No, we're not at a war storage base. It's the local paintball equipment store.

New Jersey was the last U.S. state to legalize paintball in 1988, and New Breed Paintball store owner Sky Friend has been in business for two years—one year in a smaller store in Paramus and the other year at his current location, 7-05 Fair Lawn Avenue. New Breed is one of the largest paint supply stores in New Jersey.

Friend has provided companies such as IBM, Apple, CBS, Jet Blue and Verizon with their paintball equipment needs for company parties and outings.

When asked about his store's move to Fair Lawn, Friend's face lit up.

"Fair Lawn is one of the best choices I have ever made," he said. "The town is a very tight-knit community. A lot of people in the town of Fair Lawn are playing paintball now. It's great."

According to Friend, there are five pieces of equipment someone needs to play paintball: a marker (gun), tank, hopper/clip, paintballs, and a mask (the most important piece, Friend said). He added that a "pod pack" allows you to carry more paint.

Friend says paintball is so popular because "it's guys shooting each other. Men, women and kids can be equal; all you have to do is pull the trigger. It's a kid's fantasy, and it's just plain fun."

In addition to his paintball equipment, Friend sells Airsoft merchandise as well. The merchandise works similarly to paintball equipment, ball but the special Airsoft markers shoot 6 mm plastic BBs, as opposed to paintballs.

Friend said he ensures safety with his merchandise and even makes all of his customers sign a social responsibility form when they buy markers to ensure that they are handled with care and no one gets hurt.

"It's a sport but it comes with danger," he said.

Many people wonder if it really when someone gets hit with a paintball, and Friend said "Yes, it stings [with] a small sharp pain. Hand shots hurt the most."

Regarding the gender breakdown of paintball players, Friend said: "You would be surprised. Women are having fun shooting. Women like shooting people just as much as men do."

He said many teenage girls request paintball Sweet 16 parties from him.

"Fathers and sons are also coming into my store as well," Friend said.

"Playing paintball helps them bond during those rough years. They are shooting at different things and telling each other, 'Did you see that?' It brings them closer," he said.

You have to be at least 10 years old to buy or use any of the paintball or Airsoft
equipment, because of insurance restrictions, Friend said. He said he sees customers in their 60s buying his paintball equipment and playing paintball in his field, which is located in West Milford.

"Private parties work best for kids because it's less scary to get shot by your friends," Friend said.

"I try to be extremely honest with my customers. Good word of mouth customer service is huge with me. If you do wrong they will tell 10 people you do right they might tell one person."

Prices range from $115 to $2,000 for specialty limited edition items. Friend said before you buy something, go to the field and see what works for you.

Friend suggested wearing loose baggy clothing when playing paintball because the extra fabric in the clothing will act like a pocket to loosen the impact of the paintball. He also suggested that everyone should wear old clothes, sneakers, and gloves, and that women should wear chest protectors. Friend added that the paint does in fact wash out.

"I care about my business and I think it shows, the important thing is to be careful and have fun," he said.