Thread: Crossbows

Originally Posted by NCArcher

Whether it is a home made thing just for fun or a commercially made item it is a prohibited weapon and is illegal.
You need to check with your archery club because most will not allow you to shoot a crossbow on the grounds, unless it is a purpose built, registered, target crossbow. Legal and insurance reasons.
Don't want to spoil your fun but you could be charged and prosecuted. It only takes a phone call from a nosy neighbour.

Hang on - you're in NSW and he's in Tassie. Different states, different rules. Although crossbows are "prohibited in Tassie" it doesn't mean he cannot own one, he just needs a permit, which requires a lawful purpose.

It would be helpful if responders checked locations and the relevant laws to that location before telling people what they should and shouldn't do.

Great link John!

Originally Posted by BobL

Hang on - you're in NSW and he's in Tassie. Different states, different rules. Although crossbows are "prohibited in Tassie" it doesn't mean he cannot own one, he just needs a permit, which requires a lawful purpose.

It would be helpful if responders checked locations and the relevant laws to that location before telling people what they should and shouldn't do.

Sorry Bob but what does me being in NSW have to do with anything. I am aware he is in Tasmania. Crossbows are a Prohibited Weapon in Tasmania and he cannot have one in his possesion, whether it is home made or purchased unless he has the appropriate licences and permits.
The reference to legal and insurance reasons was to the archery club allowing him to shoot on their grounds (with or without a permit) . The target crossbow shooters I know, from many different states, have to jump through hoops just to own and shoot a crossbow in Archery Australia sanctioned tournaments. They are not allowed to leave it unattended and must secure it to a fixed object if leaving it for any length of time. So turning up at your archery club with a home made crossbow is not a good idea.

Originally Posted by NCArcher

Sorry Bob but what does me being in NSW have to do with anything. I am aware he is in Tasmania. Crossbows are a Prohibited Weapon in Tasmania and he cannot have one in his possesion, whether it is home made or purchased unless he has the appropriate licences and permits.

At no stage did I say he should not get a permit. If you read my first response about this it was to encourage the initiator of this thread to make sure they knew the legal implications.

Even so, the legislation as I understand it is slightly different between NSW and Tassie.

In NSW a crossbow owner must belong to a archery club to get a permit.

In Tasmania there are no "licences" but the owner does requires a "permit" signed by the Tasmanian Commissioner of Police. The owner has to show lawful purpose, and they are required to carry the permit while transporting or using the crossbow, but they do not need to belong to to a club.
See: POLICE OFFENCES ACT 1935 - SECT 15D 15D.#Use, carriage and possession of crossbows

Lawful purpose includes, " for the purpose of conducting research, hunting vermin or another purpose the Commissioner considers appropriate."

I never said it was easy and neither do I condone not getting a permit, or firing it in a back yard.

Maybe this legislation has been recently been updated - if so it would be worth knowing.