WA:WA introduces crossbow ban

AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-2011
WA:WA introduces crossbow ban

PERTH, April 7 AAP - Laws to tightly restrict the sale of crossbows come into effect
in Western Australia this weekend in an attempt to stop the weapons falling into the wrong
hands.

Amendments to the Weapons Act 1999 to reclassify crossbows from a controlled weapon
to a prohibited weapon are in force from Saturday across the state.

WA Police Minister Rob Johnson said the decision followed an agreement by the Australasian
Police Ministers' Council that crossbows should be banned across Australia.

"The changes will limit the circumstances under which crossbows can be lawfully purchased,"

he said.

"We want to reduce the likelihood that a crossbow falls into the wrong hands and is
used to injure or kill a person or animal."

People have been able to legally buy crossbows, as controlled weapons, through specialised
outlets.

Mr Johnson said he had been in regular contact with the family of Christopher Halstead,
who was killed with a crossbow in WA in 2009.

He said the family strongly supported changes to the law.

Limited exceptions will apply for genuine crossbow collectors and people engaged in
crossbow events who belong to an Archery Australia club.

Producers of films and other dramatic productions can apply to WA's police commissioner
for an exemption notice in respect to prohibited weapons, including crossbows, under the
Weapons Regulations Act 1999.

Anyone with a crossbow who does not qualify for one of the three exceptions must destroy
or lawfully dispose of their crossbows or surrender it to a police station.

Under the new law, retailers will still be able to sell and supply crossbows but only
to customers in the exempt category.

The penalty for buying, possessing, selling, supplying or manufacturing crossbows outside
the exemptions is a $36,000 fine and three years' jail.

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KEYWORD: CROSSBOW

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