It is probably indisputable that bow and arrow are among the oldest distance weapons in our history. They were used not only in hunting, but also in numerous conflicts and wars and thus led to the death of many people. This may still be the case today in some countries, but in the German weapons law bows are no longer classified as weapons. The following article explains why this is so and what to consider nevertheless.

Legal classification of a bow

We can already find a definition for the term weapons in the first paragraph of the Weapons Act. According to this, weapons are, among other things, firearms or objects equivalent to them, as well as various portable objects. And if you take a closer look at the individual definitions, you will see that they do not apply to bows and arrows. It is therefore merely a matter of sporting and playing equipment. The sporting idea has come to the fore over the years to such an extent that bows, no matter what kind, are not covered by the Weapons Act at all.

The essential difference to the crossbow, by the way, is that the driving energy introduced into a bow cannot be stored or held by a locking device. Crossbows and arrow launchers are therefore legally equivalent to firearms, while bows remain simple sporting equipment.

Acquisition, possession and carrying

But what does this mean now for the acquisition and possession of bows? Quite simply, there are no special requirements under the Weapons Act that need to be observed. There is no minimum age, no liability insurance, no examination of expert knowledge and no proof of need. All these conditions, which affect in particular sport shooters of sharp firearms, are not applicable when handling bows.

This also applies to the driving of these special sports equipment. The archer requires neither a firearms license nor any other authorization.

Shooting with a bow and arrow

Shooting with a bow also remains simple. Since the Weapons Act does not apply, the only thing that is required here is sheer common sense. Of course, you should not stand in the middle of a busy marketplace and shoot arrows there, but in a forest, on a large meadow or simply on a private property this is basically no problem. Of course, you should ask the respective property owner for permission beforehand. Because one thing is certain, the handling of bow and arrow requires the utmost caution and should therefore never be done lightly. One should always secure oneself and ensure that the arrows are stuck in a controlled manner in an arrow catching mat and cannot shoot uncontrollably beyond the target.

Therefore, many associations and clubs recommend practicing only on separate courses that meet these requirements. Likewise, it is also recommended to take out special insurance for this particular sport, as private liability insurance often does not cover damage incurred. And also the safe handling with bow and arrow should be learned and practiced first. Special beginner courses offer themselves here. Especially untrained children should not be left without supervision. In most clubs, therefore, there is also a minimum age, although this is theoretically not required by law.

Storage of sports equipment

Finally, the correct storage of a bow remains to be clarified. Here, too, the Weapons Act or the General Weapons Act Ordinance does not stipulate any special requirements. Nevertheless, it is recommended to store the "weapon" at least in a locked container. In any case, one should be able to guarantee that unauthorized persons do not have access to this special sports equipment.

More information about bows and of course other free weapons can be found on my YouTube channel Kwannick - Weapons law and Co.

Disclaimer: The excerpts from the Weapons Act are from the currently valid version of 01.09.2020. The author of this article assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy and completeness of the information provided.