Thursday, July 29, 2010

NC - Handgun Permit Required For Crossbows

© By Othmar Vohringer

Yesterday the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission issued a press release, stating that the use of crossbows is now legal during the regular bowhunting season of that state. I welcome this news and congratulate North Carolina for using commonsense and put crossbow hunting where it belongs, in the bowhunting season.

In a future column I will write more about crossbows and why they belong in my opinion in the bowhunting season and not the firearm season. As a bowhunter using traditional, compound and crossbow I will provide you with the unbiased information and the truth about crossbows.

As much as I welcome the addition of the crossbow in North Carolina I am dismayed about the following statement.

State law requires that anyone buying or otherwise receiving a crossbow in North Carolina first obtain a pistol permit from the sheriff’s office in their county of residence or hold a valid concealed handgun permit.
Questions about obtaining pistol permits and issuance of concealed handgun permits should be directed to the local sheriff’s department.


Am I the only one wondering why anyone wishing to purchase and own a crossbow would need to apply for a concealed weapons permit in NC? I’ve searched the Internet for a reason but couldn’t find any explanations that make sense. To me it just seems very strange to classify a crossbow in the same category as a handgun. If any of my North Carolina readers know why this weird law exists please let me know. Are there any other states with similar crossbow laws?

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10 comments:

Dennis said...

I've got a friend who qualifys to hunt during archery season with a crossbow. I haven't heard about having to need a CC permit to obtain a crossbow. Guess i need to do some research, and contact the NC.Game and Fish dept.tks for the info.

SimplyOutdoors said...

If you do, in fact, need a handgun permit to hunt with a crossbow in NC, then it sounds like a bunch of bureaucratic nonsense. I think that is probably the only way such a law would get put on the books.

It seems pretty silly to me.

Othmar Vohringer said...

I know it sounds unbelievable Dennis and Arthur, but the quote in my post is taken directly from the press release and it states quite clearly that:

"State law requires that anyone buying or otherwise receiving a crossbow in North Carolina first obtain a pistol permit from the sheriff’s office in their county of residence or hold a valid concealed handgun permit.
Questions about obtaining pistol permits and issuance of concealed handgun permits should be directed to the local sheriff’s department."

I agree with you Arthur the only way such nonsense can come about is through political bureaucrats. They have nothing better to do but to think of such stuff and we pay them for it too.

-ov-

Anonymous said...

I believe that every person carrying firearms, its important have permit to carry,its for the safety of the people around him.Ruger 10/22concerned about the safety of the people.

Othmar Vohringer said...

Anonymous - A crossbow is not a firearm.

-ov-

NCBOBCAT said...

NCBOBCAT
I just recieved my Sportsmans Guide Catalog. It specifically states that NO shippments to North Carolina for crossbows. I have also checked other WEB sites and have come up with similar answers to the crossbow question. So, it appears, as stupid as the law seems, sellers will not ship to NC. Mine will ship to VA. I do have a CCW, but on line saves a lot of cash.

Othmar Vohringer said...

NCBOBCAT, It's not that retailers "will not ship [crossbows] to North Carolina. They would in a heartbeat but it is against the law. The NC law states that every person wanting to own and or use a crossbow first needs to obtain a handgun permit.

This law is a little bit more than just stupid.It's downright ridiculous and I can't for the life of me figure out what makes the lawmakers of that state think that a crossbow is even remotely in the same league as a handgun. If it is then so should be compound bow or any other bow for that matter.

-ov-

Anonymous said...

It is all about MONEY, another way of taxing you without calling it a tax. I've never in my life in North Carolina heard of or seen news in which a Crossbow was used in the commission of a Crime and or for that matter an accidental shotting of another human with one.

Your tax dollars at work for you.

Anonymous said...

I do not believe that a carry permit is what is required here... I will do some additional research..but I believe what is necessary is a purchase permit which is issued by the sheriffs department anytime someone wishes to purchase a handgun. Simple. 5 day waiting/background check.. no classes.. etc..

Othmar Vohringer said...

Hi An0nymous.

The handgun carry permit for pistols is one thing but this same permit was also required for crossbows,which are archery equipment NOT firearms.

But it's all good now. Tat insane law has been repealed and it now possible to purchase and own a crossbow WITHOUT having to obtain a permit. http://outdoorswithothmarvohringer.blogspot.com/2011/06/pistol-permit-requirement-for-crossbow.html

O.V

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