Should crossbows be banned

[Klenchblaize]

Got some cracking bites

And I don’t even own:

. White van
. Bivvy
. Digital bite indicators X3
. Camo umbrella
. Camo chair bed with matching sleep bag
. Camo Crocs
. Camo pyjamas
. Crate of tinned lager
. Copy of Readers Wives or iPhone app for digital subscription
. Copy of Carp Huggers monthly or iPhone app for digital subscription

K

 

[TH4]

Because more than five guns and you become the "sad loner with an arsenal of weapons" so loved of the press whereas under five and you are a mere "solitary individual with an unhealthy interest in guns". But five guns is OK. That's normal. Because I've got five guns and so that's alright.

I must be a really sad hermit then the amount I have

 

[TH4]

And I don’t even own:

. White van
. Bivvy
. Digital bite indicators X3
. Camo umbrella
. Camo chair bed with matching sleep bag
. Camo Crocs
. Camo pyjamas
. Crate of tinned lager
. Copy of Readers Wives or iPhone app for digital subscription
. Copy of Carp Huggers monthly or iPhone app for digital subscription

K

Bet you do really, just don't tell anyone

 

[enfieldspares]

. Copy of Carp Huggers monthly or iPhone app for digital subscription

Pal! That's just so much recycled articles and adverts in that it's rubbish mate. What you want is Carp World monthly. Much much better.

 

[Franchi Matt]

So if we need more legislation why are there so few incidents with these?

The answer is because they are hard to conceal.

If you want legislation (why?) best look at recurves, compounds and longbows too.

I’m guessing you also want air rifles out on ticket as well, these, particularly PCPs are easily to tune to high power and are apparently a favourite for gangs in NZ for their stealth.

Sorry - got to disagree on a few points you mention there.
Concealment- should a person in the wrong frame of mind be inclined to use a crossbow I dont think concealment would be high on the list of priorities, furhter more - some can be 'taken down'

As for 'guessing' what else I want licensed- that was your little brain child NOT mine.

FACT - high powered crossbows are unequivocally lethal and imho as a result they should be licensed, I'm sorry we dont see eye to eye on it, but having had first hand experience- you and your imaginary comparisons wont change my mind.

 

[TH4]

With all the tens of thousands of them in circulation already what good would licensing do. A lunatic that was set on causing harm would hardly apply for a licence for a crossbow he already had. And if he wanted one he would buy an unlicensed one anyway.

 

[Namman]

With all the tens of thousands of them in circulation already what good would licensing do. A lunatic that was set on causing harm would hardly apply for a licence for a crossbow he already had. And if he wanted one he would buy an unlicensed one anyway.

No. Any reasonably competent person could make one in an afternoon. I mean a really powerful one as well.
I suppose we could licence wood and other raw materials and of course carpentry tools.
I once had a 150lb draw crossbow and it was in no way as effective as a traditional yew longbow
Licensing crossbows would be a complete waste of time, it would only affect the law abiding once again.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

There does seem to be a funny attitude on display here.

Surely there are laws governing the misuse of crossbows, axes, cricket bats, bar stools....... punish the behaviour, not the inanimate object. How is the ban on knives working out for you?

Yes numerous ones, yet they are not applied effectively.

I've got a 175lb draw weight crossbow rifle, bought on a whim to see how accurate and powerful they are........

Weapons like that most definitely need some kind of legislation imho.

It is frighteningly accurate and seriously powerful, some of the bolt heads readily available are crazy, look at it this way - I would be more scared of having it pointed at me than a shotgun.

We are not talking about bows and arrows we made as kids or catapults we used, we all dread new legislation but in the wrong hands things would end very badly, maybe legislation before a serious incident isnt a bad thing...

Unfortunately I doubt licencing will make any difference.
I mean look how well it works with pistols. With the exception of a few legally held ones. The only people other than the police/forces that have them are criminals.
So instead of criminalising the population. Deal with the criminals, however it appears that there’s a lack of will within government to actually do that. They would rather grab headlines and appear to have done something.

 

[25 Sharps]

Sorry - got to disagree on a few points you mention there.
Concealment- should a person in the wrong frame of mind be inclined to use a crossbow I dont think concealment would be high on the list of priorities, furhter more - some can be 'taken down'

As for 'guessing' what else I want licensed- that was your little brain child NOT mine.

FACT - high powered crossbows are unequivocally lethal and imho as a result they should be licensed, I'm sorry we dont see eye to eye on it, but having had first hand experience- you and your imaginary comparisons wont change my mind.

But by your logic, compound bows, recurves and longbows can equally lethal at equal ranges, high power air rifles can be equally lethal and a lot of standard air rifles can be easily converted so all should be licensed as well.

You may not think concealment is the issue but you still haven’t answered the question, why are there not a lot more crossbow related crimes?

Ps as for ‘imaginary’ comparisons, I have a high power air rifle, a recurve bow, a hunting compound bow and a hunting crossbow so nothing at all imaginary going on here in terms of knowing what each is capable of.

 

[Selous]

I just wonder why anyone would think someone with more than 5 guns would be more dangerous than someone with 10 guns. Have you tried firing 2 rifles at the same time and if you went on the rampage with 10 guns how do you carry them and all the different ammo. Can't understand why people think more is dangerous. An FAC for rifles should let you own any number within whatever calibre range authorised

I totally agree, hence the question marks. I suspect a limit on numbers would be necessary to make it in any way palatable to many but the absolute number may vary with other factors such as level of security

 

[TH4]

I wonder when people and politicians will ever realise that guns do not kill people.
It is people that kill people. Leave a loaded gun on the floor and it will harm nobody until a person picks it up and pulls the trigger. Tackle the rising mental health issues first.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I wonder when people and politicians will ever realise that guns do not kill people.
It is people that kill people. Leave a loaded gun on the floor and it will harm nobody until a person picks it up and pulls the trigger. Tackle the rising mental health issues first.

But that doesn’t make for a snappy headline and what you suggest requires long-term commitment, workload and expenditure of Public monies. Whereas simply removing a temptation costs very little in monitory terms.

K

 

[308tikka]

I wonder when people and politicians will ever realise that guns do not kill people.

Guns dont kill people.
Wappers do... from Bristol Zoo to B&Q.

 

[Ade8mm]

Pudding spoons make people fat.

 

[old man]

A few random thoughts from on old man?

Maybe, people who agree with banning should consider that possibly all of these restrictions to our few freedoms are part of an overall policy of subjugation?

Consider well, that nothing is ever given back and that our own particular sporting elements will inevitably come under scrutiny for removal eventually as part of the policy?

None of the policy has to do with any risk reduction as many far greater risks are completely obvious to the public at large but never restricted? Why?

Who ever would have thought 30 years ago that a private vehicle could become a public place?

Seemingly, most official omissions or errors by our guardians lead to the pursuit of more restriction by rote? Why?

It's certainly all beyond my comprehension.

Possibly be very careful what you wish for, it will maybe, be very different in 30 years time?

 

[cjm1066]

I've got a 175lb draw weight crossbow rifle, bought on a whim to see how accurate and powerful they are........

Weapons like that most definitely need some kind of legislation imho.

It is frighteningly accurate and seriously powerful, some of the bolt heads readily available are crazy, look at it this way - I would be more scared of having it pointed at me than a shotgun.

We are not talking about bows and arrows we made as kids or catapults we used, we all dread new legislation but in the wrong hands things would end very badly, maybe legislation before a serious incident isnt a bad thing...

A truly frightening situation.

Have you considered selling it, that will alleviate your issues without needing pointless legislation.

 

[shakey jake]

have they been licensed or banned in any other countries? if they have has that lead to a massive drop in crime?

 

[enfieldspares]

But by your logic.....a lot of standard air rifles can be easily converted so all should be licensed as well.

And indeed for the reason they can have the barrel reamed to chamber .22LR cartridges (and the spring and piston replaced with a weaker spring and then actual piston changed to a lighter one with a shaped end to fire it) air rifles in .22 are banned in Cyprus.

 

[Warren79]

All kidding asides, I think it’s still ‘legal’ for an Englishman to shoot a Welshman using a longbow off the walls of Cardiff castle.
The law is an arse, and a few hundred years out of date in a lot of areas.

When I'm penniless and in need of a nursing home I may like to test this in court?

 

[sy247]

So with all that is going on in the UK at the moment, Illegal Imigration by the thousand, all the covid bollocks, knife crime out of hand and the Government not doing to well because they are a bunch of lying sh1tbags. The best the incompetent Home Secretary can come up with is, ban cross bows. Well that will make the good people of England sleep safe in their beds at night. Reading some of the reply's on this thread you realise that shooting sports in the UK are well and truly phucked

Here here