Laws on crossbows

The crossbow often has a complicated legal status due to its lethality and its similarities with both firearms and other archery weapons.

Australia

Pistol crossbows are strictly controlled in all Australian states due to their concealable nature. Crossbows can be bought and owned by adults over 18 years of age in some states such as Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia, while in most of the eastern states crossbows can only be owned with a special licence, for instance for members of an official sporting club. Control on transport of crossbows between states has increased to prevent unauthorised use of imported crossbows. [ [http://www.ausbow.com.au/crossbow.htm Ausbow Industries - Australian crossbow manufacturer and agent for Excalibur crossbows ] ]

United Kingdom

Under the Crossbows Act 1987, crossbows cannot be bought, hired or sold in England, Wales or Scotland by those under 17, even under adult supervision. The act states that crossbows may be used by persons under 17 years of age only when supervised by a person aged 21 years or over. [ [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/RevisedStatutes/Acts/ukpga/1987/cukpga_19870032_en_1 Office of Public Sector Information - Crossbows Act 1987] ] Similar prohibitions for Northern Ireland are made in the Crossbows (Northern Ireland) Order 1988. Section 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 prevents their use for hunting birds. In Scotland, section 50 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 [ [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=civic+government&Year=1982&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=2191918&ActiveTextDocId=2191981&filesize=4545 Section 50 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982] ] makes it illegal to be drunk in a public place in possession of a crossbow.

Section 44 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, designed to bring crossbows into line with firearms, raised the age limit to 18 in England and Wales, with effect from 1st October 2007 [ [http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/section12/chapter_c.html The Crown prosecution Service - Offensive weapons] retrieved 29 January 2008] . The Scottish Parliament made similar changes in section 62 of the Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007 [ [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=custodial+sentences&Year=2007&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=3326378&ActiveTextDocId=3326473&filesize=1299 Section 62 of the Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007] ] , also with effect from 1st October 2007.

Canada

In Canada, it is legal to own a crossbow and has a similar designation as an airgun. No licence is required to purchase a crossbow. Though older PAL cards say that one is allowed to acquire one the laws designating them as firearms were struck down before they could be implemented. Crossbows designed to be fired with one hand and crossbows measuring less than 500mm are prohibited, There was no grandfathering of prohibited crossbows therefore there is no legal way to own one.( [http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/faq/default_e.asp#a4 Canada firearms center FAQ] ) Hunting in Canada is regulated at the provincial level, therefore the legality of crossbow hunting vary from province to province

Denmark

In Denmark, the creation or import of crossbows is prohibited by the Danish law on weapons (The "Våbenlov"), and are not recognized as legal weapons for hunting.Fact|date=February 2007

Finland

In Finland hunting with crossbow is not allowed. However, hunting small game with a hand-held bow is allowed. Possession of crossbows and other bows requires no licence. ( [http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/1996/19961374 Finnish law] ) In other legal aspects the crossbow is parallel to an air gun.

weden

In Sweden, crossbows are considered equivalent to firearms, and possession requires a license ( [http://www.riksdagen.se/webbnav/index.aspx?nid=3911&bet=1996:67 Vapenlag (1996:67)] ). Hunting with crossbows is not allowed.

Norway

In Norway, crossbows are considered equivalent to firearms, and possession requires a license ( [http://www.toll.no/templates_TAD/Article.aspx?id=131790&epslanguage=NN Innførsel og utførsel av våpen, Tollvesenet] ). Hunting with crossbows is not allowed.

Germany

In German law on weapons, crossbows and firearms are equated in their legal status as weapons( [http://bundesrecht.juris.de/bundesrecht/waffg_2002/anlage_1_74.html WaffG Anlage 1 1.2.2] ), but in contrast to guns, acquisition, possession, trade or production of crossbows requires no license ( [http://bundesrecht.juris.de/bundesrecht/waffg_2002/anlage_2_75.html WaffG Anlage 2] ). Because of their definition as weapons, but without further restrictions, any crossbows can be used by minors under custody of competent adults. Fishing and hunting with crossbows is prohibited.

United States

For crossbow hunting in the U.S. a person may have to have a disability or special license to use one. In Georgia, at least, a crossbow may be used in hunting feral hogs & any other game except waterfowl. Ohio permits crossbow hunting of deer, turkeys, hogs and other game. Simple ownership and possession of a crossbow is legal in all states. [ [http://www.crossbowhuntingpro.com/regulations_by_state.html Crossbow Regulations by State] ]

References