Crossbow Legislation Information

Introduction

As at 1 November 2004 changes to legislation will affect all those people in Queensland who currently possess or wish to use a crossbow. The changes will also affect licensed dealer's/armourer's and any businesses that currently manufacture or deal in crossbows.

In summary, legislation:

• Commences on 1 November 2004;
• Categorises a crossbow as a Category M weapon;
• Prohibits persons (who did not own or possess a crossbow prior to 1 November 2004) from possession or use of a crossbow without an appropriate licence;
• Prohibits the acquisition of a crossbow without an appropriate licence;
• Requires current crossbow owners to obtain an appropriate licence prior to 1 May 2005;
• Requires crossbows to be stored in a prescribed manner;
• Does not require a person who lawfully possessed a crossbow prior to 1 November 2004 to complete an approved safety course when applying for the appropriate licence;
• Requires all crossbows without serial numbers to be permanently marked with an identifying serial number for registration purposes;
• Licensed dealer's will require their current licence to be endorsed to include Category M weapons (other than restricted Category M weapons) to continue to buy, sell, transfer or broker crossbows;
• Licensed armourer's will require their current licence to be endorsed to include Category M weapons (other than restricted Category M weapons) to continue to store, manufacture, modify or repair crossbows;
• Has not recognised any compensation be given to those not wishing to obtain the appropriate licence/endorsement.

Legislation changes do not take effect until 1 November 2004 therefore more detailed information will be available on this site for your information after 1 November 2004.