Are Crossbows legal to own in Mass?

Originally Posted by nanerclip

As far as I know, only handicapped people are allowed to possess them and hunt with them in MA.

Anyone can possess one, only the disabled (with a note from a doctor) can get a license to hunt with them:

CHAPTER 131. INLAND FISHERIES AND GAME AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES.
Chapter 131: Section 69. Bows and arrows for hunting.
Section 69. A person shall not carry or use a bow and arrow while hunting unless said bow and arrow meet such requirements as may be set by rules and regulations which the director is hereby authorized to promulgate. Such rules and regulations shall prescribe general design, weight of pull, and type of bows and arrows, and shall conform to standards generally accepted for bows and arrows used for hunting purposes. Nothing in this paragraph shall permit the use of crossbows by any person other than a person who is permanently disabled such that the person cannot operate a conventional bow and arrow, as certified by a licensed physician. Any costs associated with obtaining the medical documentation, re-evaluation of the information or a second medical opinion are the responsibility of the applicant claiming a permanent disability. The issuance of a crossbow permit under this section shall be subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the director.

Here's a link to the permit application:
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recre...pplication.pdf

Slungshots are illegal. Slingshots aren't. Google will tell you the difference as it confuses a lot of folks.

Originally Posted by LenS

Slungshots are illegal.

Yeah, it's the string with a rock tied to the end of it that's illegal

Originally Posted by jdubois

Yeah, it's the string with a rock tied to the end of it that's illegal

But it's still legal to carry a couple of rolls of nickels in one pocket and an old sock in the other.

Ken

Originally Posted by LenS

Slungshots are illegal. Slingshots aren't. Google will tell you the difference as it confuses a lot of folks.

Correct, you can own a Crossbow.

You can own a slingshot. What's not legal is the manufacter and sales of a slingshot.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/269-12.htm

CHAPTER 269. CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE


TAMPERING WITH IDENTIFYING NUMBERS OF CERTAIN FIREARMS


Chapter 269: Section 12. Manufacturing and selling knives, slung shots, swords, bludgeons and similar weapons


Section 12. Whoever manufactures or causes to be manufactured, or sells or exposes for sale, an instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as a dirk knife, a switch knife or any knife having an automatic spring release device by which the blade is released from the handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches or a device or case which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn at a locked position, any ballistic knife, or any knife with a detachable blade capable of being propelled by any mechanism, slung shot, sling shot, bean blower, sword cane, pistol cane, bludgeon, blackjack, nunchaku, zoobow, also known as klackers or kung fu sticks, or any similar weapon consisting of two sticks of wood, plastic or metal connected at one end by a length of rope, chain, wire or leather, a shuriken or any similar pointed starlike object intended to injure a person when thrown, or a manrikigusari or similar length of chain having weighted ends; or metallic knuckles or knuckles of any other substance which could be put to the same use and with the same or similar effect as metallic knuckles, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months; provided, however, that sling shots may be manufactured and sold to clubs or associations conducting sporting events where such sling shots are used.

So while you can own it, you just can't make it, or sell it.