A rose by any other name
Over the years the public has shown some negative associations with the term paintball gun. They seem to think of them as real weapons. Paint enthusiast compensate by referring to them as Paintball Markers instead of guns. It helps to keep the non enthusiast at bay and the negative press down. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet just as a paint ball gun called by any other name works just as well. You can still play out a wide variety of tactical scenarios no matter what you choose to call the equipment. At least calling them Paintball Markers give the public the understanding that they are for games and not real weapons.