There are calls for tougher regulations for paintball guns after a 17-year-old Calgary girl lost sight in an eye in a drive-by shooting.

The incident earlier this month is similar to one in Vancouver in June when several teens travelling by car videotaped themselves shooting people with the air-powered guns as they walked along the street.

Four people were charged in connection with those attacks.

Drive by shooting from videotape
Drive by shooting from videotape

Police say airgun incidents are on the rise across the country.

Edmonton police reported three paintball attacks this week and said they were likely the work of the same person or group of people.

"It is a concern that young guys might get their hands on them and not understand what sort of pain they can inflict, or understand and still not care," said Wes Bellmore of Edmonton Police.

James Cox: 'Most places are self-regulating'
James Cox: 'Most places are self-regulating'

Police say paintballs can cause serious damage to people and property. They're easy to purchase through places such as Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart.

There are no regulations on paintball guns and equipment.

The Canada Safety Council says more needs to be done to curb their use.

"Fifty children are admitted to hospitals each year. Eight to 10 of these children lose an eye," said Emile Therien of the council.

While airguns that can shoot projectiles at a velocity of more than 500 feet (152 metres) per second are considered firearms and require a license to buy, most pellet and paintball guns aren't that powerful, so anyone can buy them.

Many stores have their own rules, refusing to sell to anyone under 18. Some Web sites say they don't sell to anyone under 18. But the guns used in the Calgary attack were bought at Canadian Tire by 15 and 16-year-olds.

Jennifer Sexton of Canadian Tire says the store doesn't know how the youths got their hands on the guns and says the company does what it can to "promote safe and responsible use."

"Most places (are) self-regulating," said James Cox of the Calgary store The Shooting Edge. "You can't buy a pellet gun if you're under 18 without parental consent."

Therien of the Canada Safety Council says that's not good enough. "Lawn darts are regulated, we think pellet guns should fall under the... Hazardous Products Safety Act. "

Retailers and paintball game operators call it ludicrous, similar to restricting baseball bats should people use them to attack others.

"The onus is still on the parent to make sure they know what the kids are doing," said Richard Cuckow of M.R. Paintball.