Can I use an airsoft gun to scare people off my property when they are vandalizing?

My house never gets TPd. But this last month it has been done 3 times. They also egged my house and my cars, and we've called the cops but the cops can never get here in time. I've seen them doing it before and I've also tried turning the sprinklers on but they still come by they just make sure to stand on my walkway and off the lawn. I've ran outside and chased them off before but they're fast and still come back. This last time they wrote obscenities all over my car and TPd the whole house big time. I was just wondering if their actions turn into vandalism do I have the right to shoot them with an airsoft gun (the ones with plastic BBs) if I come outside? I want them to stop, but the cops are too slow and I can't figure out who it is. BTW I live in California