Laws on crossbows
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The crossbow often has a complicated legal status due to its potential use for lethal purposes, and its similarities with both firearms and other archery weapons. The crossbow is, for legal purposes, often categorized as a firearm by various legal jurisdictions (even though it is not considered as a firearm from a technical perspective), despite the fact that no combustion is required to propel the projectile.
This is a list of laws concerning crossbows by country.
In some nations crossbows are not subject to any specific regulation, in most there are laws, which differ widely. Each jurisdiction has its own definition of a crossbow, and in some cases pistol-sized crossbows are treated differently. There may be minimum ages for possession, and sales of both crossbows and bolts may be restricted. Specific rules around hunting use are also common.
Some jurisdictions require permits and background checks similar to those required for firearms.
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, while in most 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.[1]
Recent changes to laws in Western Australia to prohibit crossbow ownership require applications to legally possess a crossbow by July 2, 2011, before they became illegal to possess and sporting usage is only legal for people currently participating in the sport at the date of the laws introduction and does not apply to or allow for new participants thereafter.[2]
Bulgaria
In Bulgaria crossbows are not regulated, but their use for fishing and hunting is explicitly prohibited.
Canada
In Canada, crossbows are not classified as a firearm and can be acquired or manufactured by or sold to anyone over 18 years of age. According to the Criminal Code, barrelled weapons launching a projectile at a muzzle velocity not exceeding 152.4 m/s (500 feet per second) are also not considered firearms.[3] This ensures no licence is required to purchase a crossbow, unless it is barrelled and launches projectiles at a velocity exceeding 152.4 m/s (500 feet per second). 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 shot with one hand and crossbows measuring less than 500 mm in length are prohibited.[4] Some municipalities also have bylaws prohibiting the discharging and/or possession of firearms within city limits, and those laws usually define bows, crossbows, and slingshots as firearms.
Hunting in Canada is regulated at the provincial level, therefore the legality of crossbow hunting vary from province to province.
Czech Republic
Crossbows and other mechanical weapons with drawing force under 150 N (15 kgf; 35 lbf) are not regulated. Mechanical weapons above this limit are class D weapons, which means they can only be used or owned by a person at least 18 years of age (no license is required) and can't be worn visibly in public. They can only be used at places not accessible to public (without posing a risk to health or property), at licensed shooting ranges and at visibly marked places oversighted by a designated person.
Denmark
In Denmark, the creation, import or possession of crossbows without a license is prohibited by Danish law on weapons (Våbenloven - Bekendtgørelse af lov om våben og eksplosivstoffer), and crossbows are not recognized as legal weapons for hunting.
Finland
Germany
In German law on weapons, crossbows and firearms are equated in their legal status as weapons (WaffG Anlage 1 1.2.2), but in contrast to guns, acquisition, possession, trade or production of crossbows requires no license (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. As a specialty to be noted is that, crossbows do not shoot as per legal definition in Germany, since they don't use expanding gases or similar mechanisms to propel a projectile.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, crossbows with draw weight of more than 6 kg are defined as firearms according to the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance[6] and the possession of firearms requires a license or a dealer's license issued by the Hong Kong Police Force.[7]
Ireland
In Republic of Ireland law, crossbows are classed as firearms and require a licence to own.[8] Before the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 there were no specific regulations on crossbows.[9][10] The bill as introduced did not restrict crossbows with a draw weight under 1.4 kilograms (3.1 lb), but the limit was deleted at committee stage.[9][11]
Japan
In Japan, crossbows are regulated by the Firearm and Sword Possession Control Law and the possession of crossbow requires a license from a local public safety commission and they are obliged to keep their crossbows in lockers or other appropriate storage facilities. The usage of crossbows is limited to firing ranges, shooting sports and veterinary anesthesia, and individuals who are below the age of 18 or are drug addicts are not allowed to possess a crossbow. Illegal possession of crossbows can lead to imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to ¥500,000.[12]
Netherlands
In the Netherlands crossbows are regulated by the "wet wapens en munitie" (law on weapons and ammunition). Crossbows and crossbow bolts are placed in category 4, along with bows, swords, spears, etc. It is legal to possess weapons from this category providing that the individual is over 18. It is not allowed to carry those weapons in public. When transporting, the weapon should be packaged in a way that one has to perform at least 3 actions before the weapon is ready for use (this does not include the steps required to actually load and fire the weapon). Only on special occasions such as re-enactment events this is not strictly enforced. Crossbows should be used only for collecting, re-enactment or sportive purposes. Hunting with crossbows (or bows) is strictly prohibited in the Netherlands under animal cruelty laws.
Norway
In Norway, crossbows are considered equivalent to firearms, and possession requires a license (Innførsel og utførsel av våpen, Tollvesenet). Hunting with crossbows is not allowed.
Poland
In Poland, crossbows are considered a weapon, same as firearms, and possession requires a license (Dz.U.2024/0/485). Hunting with crossbows is not allowed (Dz.U.2005/61/548).
Sweden
In Sweden, crossbows are considered equivalent to firearms, and possession requires a license. Hunting with crossbows is not allowed. Swedish law dictates that any weapon that stores its energy, i.e., weapons with a firing mechanism, that produces more than 10 J (90 in⋅lbf) at the muzzle are illegal without licence. Thus very weak crossbows are sold in toy stores as well as low powered air rifles (not sold to minors). Sale or possession of normal bows of any strength are regulated in the same way as the previously mentioned weak crossbows and air rifles.
Turkey
According to the Hunting Laws, crossbows are weapons which are manufactured solely for attack and defense, and they are prohibited to import, sell, purchase, carry and possess.
