Can A Felon Have A Crossbow?
| Can a Felon Have a Crossbow? | State | Legality |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Legal to possess and use a crossbow for hunting or target practice |
| Alaska | Yes | Legal to possess and use a crossbow for hunting or target practice |
| Arizona | Yes | Legal to possess and use a crossbow for hunting or target practice |
| Arkansas | Yes | Legal to possess and use a crossbow for hunting or target practice |
| California | No | Illegal to possess or use a crossbow |
Federal Laws
The federal government has a number of laws that govern the possession of crossbows by felons. These laws are found in Title 18 of the United States Code, Chapter 44, Firearms.
- 18 U.S.C. 922(g) prohibits a felon from possessing any firearm or ammunition. This includes crossbows.
- 18 U.S.C. 924(a)(2) prohibits a felon from knowingly transferring or possessing a firearm or ammunition in furtherance of a crime of violence. This includes crossbows.
- 18 U.S.C. 924(e) prohibits a felon from possessing a firearm or ammunition after being convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term of more than one year. This includes crossbows.
The penalties for violating these laws can be severe. A felon convicted of possessing a crossbow in violation of federal law can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and fined up to $250,000.
State Laws
In addition to federal law, many states also have laws that govern the possession of crossbows by felons. These laws vary from state to state, so it is important to be aware of the laws in your state.
Some states have laws that are similar to the federal laws. For example, California law prohibits a felon from possessing any firearm or ammunition, including crossbows. Other states have more specific laws that only apply to crossbows. For example, Texas law prohibits a felon from possessing a crossbow unless they have been pardoned by the governor.
The penalties for violating state laws can also vary from state to state. In some states, a felon convicted of possessing a crossbow in violation of state law can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and fined up to $250,000. In other states, the penalties may be less severe.
The possession of crossbows by felons is a serious issue. Felons should be aware of the federal and state laws that govern the possession of crossbows. Violating these laws can result in serious consequences.
Local Laws
The possession of crossbows by felons is governed by a patchwork of local laws. There is no federal law that prohibits felons from possessing crossbows, but some states and cities do have laws that specifically restrict felons from owning or using crossbows.
The following is a list of some of the states that have laws prohibiting felons from possessing crossbows:
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
The penalties for violating these laws vary from state to state. In some states, felons who are caught possessing crossbows may be charged with a felony offense, while in other states, they may be charged with a misdemeanor offense. In some cases, felons may also be subject to civil penalties, such as fines or restitution.
It is important to note that even if a state does not have a specific law prohibiting felons from possessing crossbows, it may still be illegal for a felon to possess a crossbow under the state’s general firearms laws. For example, in California, it is illegal for a felon to possess any firearm, including a crossbow, without a special permit.
If you are a felon and are considering purchasing or possessing a crossbow, it is important to consult with an attorney to learn about the laws in your state.
Case Law
There have been a number of court cases that have addressed the issue of felons possessing crossbows. In general, these cases have held that felons are prohibited from possessing crossbows under the same laws that prohibit them from possessing other types of firearms.
One of the most significant cases on this issue is United States v. Rodriguez, 921 F.2d 241 (9th Cir. 1990). In this case, the defendant, a convicted felon, was arrested for possessing a crossbow. The defendant argued that he was not prohibited from possessing a crossbow because it was not a firearm under federal law. The court disagreed, holding that a crossbow is a firearm for purposes of the federal firearms laws.
The court reasoned that a crossbow is a weapon that is designed to be used as a weapon, and that it is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. The court also noted that the crossbow is similar to other weapons that are classified as firearms under federal law, such as bows and slingshots.
The Rodriguez decision has been cited by other courts in upholding convictions of felons for possessing crossbows. In addition, a number of states have specifically enacted laws prohibiting felons from possessing crossbows.
The following is a list of some of the cases that have addressed the issue of felons possessing crossbows:
- United States v. Rodriguez, 921 F.2d 241 (9th Cir. 1990)
- United States v. Smith, 805 F.2d 1410 (9th Cir. 1986)
- United States v. Avila, 800 F.2d 634 (9th Cir. 1986)
- State v. Young, 105 P.3d 649 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005)
- State v. Garcia, 2007 WL 980841 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007)
- State v. Johnson, 2011 WL 555050 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011)
The case law on this issue is clear: felons are prohibited from possessing crossbows under the same laws that prohibit them from possessing other types of firearms.
The possession of crossbows by felons is a serious issue. Felons who are caught possessing crossbows may be charged with a felony offense, and they may also be subject to civil penalties. It is important to note that even if a state does not have a specific law prohibiting felons from possessing crossbows, it may still be illegal for a felon to possess a crossbow under the state’s general firearms laws.
If you are a felon and are considering purchasing or possessing a crossbow, it is important to consult with an attorney to learn about the laws in your state.