dude, paintball get seriously expensive. im going to reccomend you go with airsoft.
you can find plenty of local players just like myself, and they can show him all sort of cool ways to mod his gun, gear, etc.
check out this website, i know its a .co.uk but there is mostly americans there. i am in california, i know its a long shot but if you live by the bay area, he can come play a game with us =)
www.arniesairsoft.co.uk
here is a few links to all sorts of cool guns ranging from 50$ or so to 300$
personally, for his first gun im going to reccomend a UTG AEG (automatic electric gun)
AK47
http://www.shortyusa.com/cart/viewit...L=&CA=4&kiosk=
AK47S (stock folds down)
http://www.shortyusa.com/cart/viewit...L=&CA=4&kiosk=
beita spetznaz (AK74 krinkov)
http://www.shortyusa.com/cart/viewit...L=&CA=4&kiosk=
H&K MP5 w/ retractable and full stock included
http://www.shortyusa.com/cart/viewit...L=&CA=4&kiosk=

i personally like this one
http://www.shortyusa.com/cart/viewit...L=&CA=4&kiosk=
the gun above is virtually the best first gun any airsoft player could buy. it comes with EVERY thing you need, i can help you if you ever have any problems, they are generally simple to work on. they look and feel just like the real gun, they are Fully automatic (rapid fire) and semi automatic, you can pull the bolt back and everything. as for BBs, i would reccommend the WHITE colored .20g bbs, should be available in sports stores, etc.
email me if you need anything or consider this route, [email protected]
i personally have shot them all and own an MP5, and they are all nice first guns, because if they break, they wont cost you so mutch money as if you were to buy like a tokyo marui or classic army, etc. but if you are willing to spend the cash there is other guns that are of higher quality, but they are incredibly expensive, and these guns basically do the same thing as those expensive ones. shop around these sites
www.wgcshop.com
www.redwolfairsoft.com
www.hotspotairsoft.com (5.99 flat rate shipping cost)
http://www.airsoft128.com/xcart/catalog/index.html
www.airsplat.com (watch out for the cheapo PS guns here)


the list goes on and on


EDIT: heres some eyecandy, the gun i want to buy
http://www.airsplat.com/Items/ERA-AE-MP5SDPDW.htm
Cooler Then Jesus Reviewed by Cooler Then Jesus on . Paintball players - I need your help I'm thinking about buying my son a paintball gun for his birthday. However, I do not play paintball and I do not know which gun would be a good one to get. So I'm asking you, which paintball guns do you like? Rating: 5