Crossbows on the restricted list ??? WTH

Zxthinger

It's my opinion that this legislation is a truly ridiculous bit of handy work by the powers that be, a shotgun (any shotgun) or a rifle ( any rifle) are far more dangerous items and that a fairly undisputable fact.
I can only assume that the body that drew up the restricted list failed to include crossbows as an unrestricted item.

Has anyone heard if this issue was ever looked into. And could anyone see this issue being rectified in the near future.

It seems that the rate at which firearms legislation is dealt with here in the republic is painfully slow. So I suppose I better not hold my breath. Lol

ATB zxthinger

Sparks

Zxthinger wrote: »

I can only assume that the body that drew up the restricted list failed to include crossbows as an unrestricted item.

That would be correct.

Has anyone heard if this issue was ever looked into. And could anyone see this issue being rectified in the near future.

It's been looked into by the body looking after target crossbow shooting, the DoJ have indicated that they wouldn't have a major objection to fixing the problem, but with the FCP currently in limbo because of the court cases, there's no easy avenue to deal with it. They might be able to approach the DoJ on their own, but that's not really ideal.

It seems that the rate at which firearms legislation is dealt with here in the republic is painfully slow. So I suppose I better not hold my breath. Lol

Speaking of painfully slow, crossbows have been firearms here since 1990 and restricted firearms since 2008. Was it the 22 years or the 4 years that you missed?

daveob007

I fully agree as is the same with airguns,crossbows are concidered as firearms because the use a mechanical device to fire a projectile,,our laws are very silly indeed but who knows in the future these things might get looked at again,,don't hold your breath though..

Mr.Flibble

Zxthinger wrote: »

I can only assume that the body that drew up the restricted list failed to include crossbows as an unrestricted item.

You can see why, though....http://www.obviouswinner.com/obvwin/2009/12/23/rambo-on-a-crazed-horse-with-wookie-crossbow-gun.html

Sparks

There's another side to it though Fibble:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6LXh4j3JCk

Electronic triggers, match sights, and a damn sight removed from thugs using small cheap pistol crossbows to shoot at Gardai (the rumoured reason for the expansion of the Firearms Act in 1990 to cover crossbows).

And yes, we do have a few world-class target crossbow shooters in Ireland at the moment. They just get even less press than we do.

Mr.Flibble

Sparks wrote: »

And yes, we do have a few world-class target crossbow shooters in Ireland at the moment. They just get even less press than we do.

I knew there were one or two people doing it here years ago - don't know if it was proper IAU though.

Who's doing it now, and where are they shooting?



They do need to improve their PR though; I imagine I know which version the PTB have in their minds.

Sparks

Mr.Flibble wrote: »

I knew there were one or two people doing it here years ago - don't know if it was proper IAU though.
Who's doing it now, and where are they shooting?

Well, for an example, Paul (who just got back from representing Ireland in two ISSF air rifle matches in Intershoot and the Europeans) has been a national champion a few times here and has put in scores that would have won the world championships by a few points. That, to me at least, says "world class".

They do need to improve their PR though; I imagine I know which version the PTB have in their minds.

Agreed, but the same is true of us all.

Mr.Flibble

Sparks wrote: »

Well, for an example, Paul (who just got back from representing Ireland in two ISSF air rifle matches in Intershoot and the Europeans)

Different Paul. Where's he shooting? I thought WTSC was airgun only(?)

Sparks wrote: »

has been a national champion a few times here and has put in scores that would have won the world championships by a few points. That, to me at least, says "world class".

Good stuff. He should be doing it internationally.

If he already is, he definitely needs better PR!

Sparks wrote: »

Agreed, but the same is true of us all.

Yes, but not all to the same degree. Less so for shotgun, for example.

Sparks

Mr.Flibble wrote: »

Different Paul.

Nope, same Paul.

Where's he shooting? I thought WTSC was airgun only(?)

It is. He shoots crossbow elsewhere (not sure what club).

Good stuff. He should be doing it internationally.

He's just focusing on the air rifle right now, but I understood he'd been asked to by the crossbow lads.

Yes, but not all to the same degree. Less so for shotgun, for example.

That's because they've done more PR work and had a higher level of sporting success. PR's a matter of work in most cases - put consistent effort in, and the level of PR goes up. But it's slow, hard work and takes consistent effort over years; single large events help, but they don't do it all on their own.

Mr.Flibble

Sparks wrote: »

Nope, same Paul.

It isn't, but like you I'm not posting full names here, and it isn't important, so we'll leave it at that.

Sparks wrote: »

That's because they've done more PR work and had a higher level of sporting success. PR's a matter of work in most cases - put consistent effort in, and the level of PR goes up. But it's slow, hard work and takes consistent effort over years; single large events help, but they don't do it all on their own.

Actually I think it's more to do with the tradition of bird shooting. Ask the uninitiated about shotgun shooting and they'll think of someone in a Barbour shooting pheasants, not Rambo.

Sparks

Mr.Flibble wrote: »

It isn't, but like you I'm not posting full names here, and it isn't important, so we'll leave it at that.

/shrug. I've known the guy personally for nearly ten years. I'm pretty sure it's the same guy

Actually I think it's more to do with the tradition of bird shooting. Ask the uninitiated about shotgun shooting and they'll think of someone in a Barbour shooting pheasants, not Rambo.

The uninitiated have five mental images when you say shooting:

• IRA
• Army/ERU
• The guy who shot Bambi's mother
• Mass shootings
• Armed robbery

(we might have mentioned this a time or two before)

People like the ICPSA have been putting in a lot of effort to push a sixth image (that of sportsmen) for over a decade now. That, and their sporting success, are why they're having more success in this.

Zxthinger

What sort of image is struck in the minds eye when I mention " legally held crossbow target shooting"

There's a big diff between mind sets with just a few words, 'shooting' and say' target shooting' for example.

At this stage shooting PR ( and those that want good PR) must make the effort at every occasion to make reference to the legimaticy of their sport by using the correct terminology. It's seems that the word 'shooting' has been hijacked by the tabloids.