Q: can a felon hunt with a cross bow in Arkansas
can a felon use a crossbow in arkansas
A:
The answer is not clear.
A reading of the Arkansas code would lead the public to conclude “yes,” because a crossbow doesn’t fire projectiles by explosion and probably isn’t easily converted to do so.
HOWEVER, crossbow carry by felons is not that simple. There are prosecutors in the state that absolutely will bring charges, and that alone can cause probation/parole revocation issues or worse. Also, if a felon is using a crossbow during gun season, there is a decent chance someone close to them (for example, at deer camp) has a firearm. Now there is a “constructive possession” problem: felon has a crossbow, buddy has a gun, felon is taking a gamble that he will not be found to have possession of the firearm. I would hire an attorney and have them test the waters in ANY county you want to hunt in. Don’t assume a “yes” in Phillips County covers you when you step into Lee County to recover a deer. Your hunting trip may give prosecutor the opportunity to bring gun possession in the mix because you got close to a gun (whether you have a crossbow or not).
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This is simply an opinion. Hire an attorney for legal advice.
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