Speedball , maybe your missing the point of what they are saying , and maybe I can (hopefully) clarify it a bit :

If you were to come to the edge of a 45 foot cliff , and damned near had to jump over it ,or accidentally fell over , next time you came to a cliff , you might tend to make sure you had a Buffer zone , so's nothing happened like that again . Drastic example , but  one my wife has lived thru , (going over a 95 foot cliff in an automobile ) .

 She's understandably a bit leery of heights , no matter what protections and fences are up , so nothing dangerous happens , she still hates it , and I dont force her ,or put her in situations where she is challenged to make that decision .

Maybe your Gramps had some close calls , dont need to be under Hostile fire to lose a loved one , or have something traumatic happen , maybe he lost a very close buddy , you never know,,,

You've expressed an interest in getting your gramps a bit further into the game , and its his move now ,,,, if he declines , take no offense , just be thankful he likes being with you when you play .

Edit : He's probably wishing he was 30 years younger so's he could come out there and show you pups how its done !! 

I never said he was , your gramps is most certainly a courageous man , but go jump off a 90 foot cliff , and get back with me about how you dont mind standing tip-toe at cliff's edge when you recover .

You posted this , and I presume you wanted peoples thoughts on the matter . I gave you my thoughts without being rude or offensive . I dont insist you agree with what I said , or for that matter even think on the concepts I brought up .

 I just pointed out that he may find the thought of participating in what you enjoy as , at least , distasteful or unenjoyable in his present state of life , let it be .. and when you're 60+ , let me know how many games of paintball YOU play , LOL

Smitty wrote: or they could (if they have serious problems) think that they are back in the war and start trying to kill people. i've heard stories about things like this. i think that's only for the VERY serious cases though.

lol, never heard of that. Gave me a good laugh though, as soon as I read that I picutred some old guy tackling some 12 year old and beatin the crap out of him with the back end of his A5 lol.

Don't force him. First, he is old. Paint ball is a rough sport and he might get hurt.
Second, he is a vet. The action could take him back to his days at war. I am sure no one wants to go back there.

Respect his wishes and leave him alone. He would have played by now if he wanted to.

Have you ever jumped off a 30 foot cliff ?!?

What does that have to do with your post ??

I tell you this , if I go play a hard night of paintball , I hurt for a week , and I am only 44 !! (and in decent shape ) , cut your Gramps some slack .

At this point in your life you have NO concept of Mortality , or what it means , Yeah , I bet yor gramps could kick the **edited** outta 3 ,  20 year olds, if he had to,,,, but like me , He'd be hurting serious for a while afterwards .....

There's an ancient proverb around , about not condeming a man until you have walked a Mile in his shoes , and until you have lived the life your Grandfather has , you have NO RIGHT to even try to coherce him into ANYTHING . Next time you'd have gone PB'ing , just hang with your gramps instead , and ask him if he enjoys paintball , or just seeing you have fun , and how you would like to see you and him develop some common interests , and what his feeling are in this.... you might be in for some surprises if you do ,,,, that is,,, if it isnt all about you and what you like .... Tell him about how mad this topic got you and why,, , LOL , you might learn something from the old guy  !!

Predator. Are you the same predator from TGE?

Yea it's thin ice with the war veterans. That look could be wanting to play or it could be him remembering his old buddies who are dead and gone.

I wouldn't pressure him too much.