hello, I'm brand new to the forum and honored to be here.
First question... does any one know the legal status of slings in New York state?
thanks in advance for your help.
daveb

A piece of rope will never be made illegal.

Trouble is a sling is more than just a piece of rope.

It's quite likely that a sling has no legal status as most legislators are not up enough on such specifics. Often there is confusion between slings and slingshots and so on. However most legislatures also have 'catch-all' clauses which allow you to be charged with 'dangerous behaviour' or the like even if the item you are allegedly misusing is quite legal in itself; eg, playing baseball in the park is OK, swinging or even carrying a baseball bat in a shopping mall is not.

Mr. Boss wrote on Mar 27^th, 2010 at 6:29pm:

A piece of rope will never be made illegal.

That's like saying that a piece of metal will never be illegal, but if you turn it into something dangerous like a knife or a shank it's different.

nope, it's fine, but in a place like where rebels are slinging at soldiers, you best tread carefully.

Hi, daveb, and welcome;
   I live in New Jersey.  I'm pretty sure that sling shots are illegal and slings are legal. I imagine that this is due to the sling's relative obscurity, in that it's potential destructive power is much greater than a sling shot's.   I know for a fact that hunting with a sling is illegal.  I suppose that New York's laws are similar to New Jersey's.

i once asked an officer about slings or something like that. i forget what i asked, but im pretty sure the answer applied to slings.
he basically told me that anything propelling and object at lethal forces could be considers illegal.
that or i asked about concealed weapons, with the sling in mind.

to wrap it up, dont kill someone, and im sure you'll be fine.

But, does any one know anything, about situation of Slings in UK?

Slinger93 wrote on Mar 28^th, 2010 at 6:00am:

But, does any one know anything, about situation of Slings in UK?

Pretty sure that C-A has looked into this and will give you a fuller answer but I'm also pretty sure it's along the lines of my answer above, in that slings are not specifically mentioned but you could be charged with 'carrying an offensive weapon' or 'discharging a missile in a public place' etc.

As I have said on numerous occassions, here in Australia I've never once had a problem slinging tennis balls, even in quite public parks, but I wouldn't throw stones unless right out in the countryside.

I usually carry a tennis ball along with my slings, thereby making them dog playing tools.  While slings as such is not mentioned, if the police think/claim something/anything is carried as a weapon, it is by definition illegal in my little part of the world.

Just a vague thought; while a braided split pouch sling may be an intricate piece of rope art, a typical cord/pouch sling could be recogniced as a weapon almost everywhere (legal or not).
timann

Maybe the legal status of the sling should be included in the topics of general interest on the FAQ. I've seen that question asked a lot by newcomers.

The only trouble is that we don't have anything close to a comprehensive list of places where slinging is legal, illegal, or where the legality is obscure. In the state of Alabama, in the U.S., the laws were written by people who had no idea what they were talking about. When talking about slingshots in our state laws the words sling and slingshot are used interchangeably, but both are defined as a devise which uses elastic to propel a projectile. Legality is a vague thing, so I think it's best for newbies to ask and hopefully look up the legal status of slings in their area.

Maybe we should start a list? I'd only want to do that based on actual laws, not just where people sling and haven't gotten in trouble yet.

As stated above, this question is often asked however the answers are often fairly general. Of course legal opinion questions are always murky.

If you want to take this project onboard it could be quite good but the idea of the FAQ section was to merely have pointers or links to various threads where the specific question is addressed. So post any replies and/or comments in the thread already started and I will create a link to it under GENERAL INTEREST.

As long as you don't hurt anyone or brake anything, you should be fine. If you do break something, you might be better off saying that you threw it.  :)

I couldn't find where "slingshot" and "sling" are defined, but this link has both the definition of "A Dangerous Instrument" and "A Deadly Weapon" for Alabama. According to the letter of the law anything becomes a weapon at the moment of it's use as a weapon, but only guns, shotguns, knives, clubs, and brass knuckles are defined as being a weapon at all times. Until you hurt someone intentionally slinging is legal. The intent to cause harm is the deciding factor for "Dangerous Instruments".

http://www.legislature.state.al.us/codeofalabama/1975/coatoc.htm

Edit: I found the specific law about slingshots and brass knuckles. Don't hide them or things "of like description". Slings are still safe in that they are of completely discrete construction from slingshots and the law says "like description" and not "like purpose". Happy slinging, Bammers!

http://www.legislature.state.al.us/codeofalabama/1975/coatoc.htm

Will the Badger weigh in?He should know.

Alrighty New Yorkers! Slings ARE NOT defined as a weapon. Period. But any instrument held withintent to use unlawfully against someone is a dangerous object. Have a look for yourselves:

http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS

Section Penal
Part 3
Title P
Article 265

WTG, Masiakasaurus;
   Good find.  What ever the legalities, a bit of common sense goes a long way.  I've slung in a park where the local police were training their dogs.  There were dozens of policemen watching me, but because I don't sling when there's anyone within 300 yards of me in any direction they just enjoyed the show and said nothing.  Use your sling, at least when using potentially deadly projectiles, as if you were firing a gun.  As soon as one of us hurts or kills a bystander, besides the human tragedy, slinging as we know it will be done for all of us.
   Enforcing laws against slings would be difficult because, like many of us, I can make an effective sling from a bootlace or something similar, in a matter of seconds.  Check out Malik Lund's Appu-sling in the Guides and Articles section.    

What about atlatls?

Et Cetera wrote on Mar 29^th, 2010 at 10:14am:

What about atlatls?

This should help:
http://spear-hunting.com/legal.html
This is the spear hunting regulations for each state in America.

Woonilsra wrote on Mar 28^th, 2010 at 2:59am:

i once asked an officer about slings or something like that. i forget what i asked, but im pretty sure the answer applied to slings. he basically told me that anything propelling and object at lethal forces could be considers illegal. that or i asked about concealed weapons, with the sling in mind. to wrap it up, dont kill someone, and im sure you'll be fine.

I also asked a cop about this one time he said it is only illegal if they can prove u are good enuff to kill some one with it and not just a lucky shoot but every time othere then that they can ask or make u stop were u are doing it but can not charge u with any thing as for carring it u in the U.S. have the right to carry a weapon (othere than a gun) with u at all times as long as it can be seen by all so as long as u can see the sling or sling bag u should be good (But this dose not mean u will be) ;)

US open carry laws are more stringent than you make out, slingingrat. In Texas all knives one your person must be less than 6" unless you own a license.

Masiakasaurus wrote on Mar 31^st, 2010 at 9:54pm:

US open carry laws are more stringent than you make out, slingingrat. In Texas all knives one your person must be less than 6" unless you own a license.

the blade or the whole thing?

Blade

Masiakasaurus wrote on Mar 31^st, 2010 at 9:54pm:

US open carry laws are more stringent than you make out, slingingrat. In Texas all knives one your person must be less than 6" unless you own a license.

An 18 year old can carry a pistol on ones waist or even an assault rifle on your back as long as its not full auto.

Not in some places. Lil Wayne was arrested in New York for having a handgun in plain view in his tour bus. He was convicted of Conspiracy to Possession because he wasn't able to prove he had a license for the weapon (which he didn't).

Thats actually the norm in most of the united states, which makes it atypical for North America, like in Europe most guns are entirely illegal. I'm not sure about Australia or South America, but the rest of the continents are either high variation enough or lacking sufficient detail in the laws for me to make any real statement.

My point is that all generalizations are evil. Even this one. When you look at things as black and white you're liable to miss a lot of important details. And missing details while accidentally hitting people may just get the sling banned somewhere. Do you understand where I'm coming from?

Masiakasaurus wrote on Apr 4^th, 2010 at 10:09pm:

My point is that all generalizations are evil. Even this one. When you look at things as black and white you're liable to miss a lot of important details. And missing details while accidentally hitting people may just get the sling banned somewhere. Do you understand where I'm coming from?

I suspect in most places if you actually hit someone or their property then theres going to be issues. If you cause injury/damage expect many additional issues. If you scare someone (and some people go out of their way to be scared) expect issues.
    Think hard about where you throw and what you throw with. Also remember in some places and with some people the perception that you are using a weapon will totally alter how they view events. I've just spent an afternoon with some friends and their family thumping a cricket ball around a park(hey its just a sport...)... and then got lectured by them how dangerous slinging tennis balls must be... It took a bit of logic and explanation to get some reasonable and rational people on my side - dont just expect everyone you run into to be as reasonable. I think Masiakasaurus is sadly on the right track. Sooner or later a slinger is going to mess up and youll see a ban somewhere. Lets try to delay it as long as possible :).

Amen, John.

John wrote on Apr 5^th, 2010 at 12:02am:

Masiakasaurus wrote on Apr 4th, 2010 at 10:09pm: My point is that all generalizations are evil. Even this one. When you look at things as black and white you're liable to miss a lot of important details. And missing details while accidentally hitting people may just get the sling banned somewhere. Do you understand where I'm coming from? I suspect in most places if you actually hit someone or their property then theres going to be issues. If you cause injury/damage expect many additional issues. If you scare someone (and some people go out of their way to be scared) expect issues.     Think hard about where you throw and what you throw with. Also remember in some places and with some people the perception that you are using a weapon will totally alter how they view events. I've just spent an afternoon with some friends and their family thumping a cricket ball around a park(hey its just a sport...)... and then got lectured by them how dangerous slinging tennis balls must be... It took a bit of logic and explanation to get some reasonable and rational people on my side - dont just expect everyone you run into to be as reasonable. I think Masiakasaurus is sadly on the right track. Sooner or later a slinger is going to mess up and youll see a ban somewhere. Lets try to delay it as long as possible :).

This is the reason why I tend to avoid calling slings 'weapons', to avoid that confrontational attitude. Did your friends actually see you slinging or was this a "theoretical" debate based on this all weapons are dangerous notion? As you say a cricket ball off a bat has to be at least 10 times more dangerous than a slung tennis ball.

I'm still regularly slinging away in that same park where we met up some months ago and as I have said numerous times, never had anyone complain when they see me slinging tennis balls at that wall. 'Course they may be seething inside but I don't think so, they all seem to have reasonably genuine smiles on their faces as they walk by.

 Where I live the only projectiles considered weapons are those traveling at 500fps or faster.  Tennis balls won't do that unless shot from a potato cannon maybe and I don't think the stones I am throwing are either, but I don't know a lot about the speed of them.  Any object, (even a pen,) is considered a weapon or deadly weapon depending, when used to commit an assault or crime.  So as long as you are not throwing stones at the neighbors dog and do not use it where it may be unsafe, (throwing rocks in the park, near houses etc.) I don't see a problem.  I live on a small tourist island known for the fishing industries, people come for the lobster and to see the herring weirs.  There is only a Mountie on the island periodically, sometimes gone for a week even.  Thus we do not have to worry to much about what we do and don't.  But when I am on the mainland I often go down on the beaches at low tide and walk out as far as I can and throw stones out into the bay, (don't do it near docks,) and I just make sure I am out of sling range of any houses or roads in sight.

I know many of you don't agree, but I've always felt slinging should be kept from the general public. Many of them must be extras in sheep clothing. So, I sling in the forest. Doesn't do much to promote slinging, but nothing bad will come of it either. Kind of like being a ninja slinger  ;D I've gotten good enough now that when I go into town I feel like I am carrying ;)

walter

walter wrote on Apr 6^th, 2010 at 4:43pm:

I know many of you don't agree, but I've always felt slinging should be kept from the general public. Many of them must be extras in sheep clothing. So, I sling in the forest. Doesn't do much to promote slinging, but nothing bad will come of it either. Kind of like being a ninja slinger  ;D I've gotten good enough now that when I go into town I feel like I am carrying ;) walter

Aka walking heavy, packing heat, strapped, etc.

Mr. Boss wrote on Apr 6^th, 2010 at 4:52pm:

walter wrote on Apr 6th, 2010 at 4:43pm: I know many of you don't agree, but I've always felt slinging should be kept from the general public. Many of them must be extras in sheep clothing. So, I sling in the forest. Doesn't do much to promote slinging, but nothing bad will come of it either. Kind of like being a ninja slinger  ;D I've gotten good enough now that when I go into town I feel like I am carrying ;) walter Aka walking heavy, packing heat, strapped, etc.

Walk'in proud ;)

walter

same. i have a friend or two who i am tutoring on the usage of the sling... we are careful. one great projectile is rock salt. drill a glass window? no prob- the salt sprays everywhere. . here's my take (and my city/state i think): unless you carry deadly Ammo, then you have a nice piece of art. Deadly Ammo= hard/heavy/sharp objects. also, i have police officers on my street. i am actually good friends with them. i would probably be in jail now if the sling is a weapon. they come watch me sling sometimes. no prob, and they are still impressed with my power. ill hopefully post a tutorial soon on rock salt projectiles.

In Poland we have a lot of latitude, for example every kind of knives are legal, doesn't matter automatic or manual, blocked or non blocked, every length of blade is legal, balisongs, push daggers etc. Only illegal stuff of this kind is a blade hidden in a thing, what has no unequivocal shape of a knife. Illegal are nunchaku, baseball bats, crossbows, guns (for civilians if they don't belong to some hunting club). Every kind of slingshot are legal, our Law does not even mention about slings :) Lot of civil liberty, but there is a lot of murder with knives and they will restrict carrying of a knife.. For me tragedy - I collect knives of any kind and carry about 3 in my pockets and backpack as EDC :P

In France, the legal status of weapons is defined by the "Décret n°95-589 du 6 mai 1995 relatif à l'application du décret du 18 avril 1939 fixant le régime des matériels de guerre, armes et munitions" (concerning war materials, weapons and ammunitions) (125 articles...).

Weapons are classified in 8 different categories and the sling can be put under the 6th, Art. 2 §1 :
"6e catégorie : Armes blanches.
Paragraphe 1 : Tous objets susceptibles de constituer une arme dangereuse pour la sécurité publique, et notamment les baïonnettes, sabres-baïonnettes, poignards, couteaux-poignards, matraques, casse-tête, cannes à épées, cannes plombées et ferrées, sauf celles qui ne sont ferrées qu'à un bout, arbalètes, fléaux japonais, étoiles de jets, coups de poing américains, lance-pierres de compétition, projecteurs hypodermiques."
Anything that may be a dangerous weapon for public safety, including [...] crossbow, nunchuk, shurikens, knuckle dusters, competition slingshot[...]

The Art 46-1 state that you are free to buy and possess any weapon of the 6th category if you are over 18.
If you are a minor, you can't buy a sling (or a sword cane). But you can have one if you are over 16, your parent (or equivalent) authorised it AND you are a licenced of a sport federation having an official ministerial accreditation.

BUT, according to the Art 57 you cannot carry them without "legitimate reasons". One of those reason seems to be the practice of a sport, in a federation accredited. You also have to carry them in such a way they can't be easily used, either by using a security system or by taking it apart (or at least an important part).

So slings are legal to buy and own, maybe not to carry and not if you carry them with rocks or lead ammo. Of course, you can't be sent to jail for having shoelaces, but...

It is an interesting legal argument.

For example - when does a sling become a weapon ?

I carry a sling in my back pocket and three 2cm ballbearings in one of my front pockets.
Seperately neither one is either a weapon or illegal.

However when combined - they constitute a potentially lethal weapon.
However up until that point it's not illegal, and it most likely only becomes illegal if the combination is used either to cause damage or against a human being.

My argument is - in the unlikely event I'm successfully mugged - I can take the buggers down while they're running away - no way in hell would I miss 3 times :-)  

But up until the point I combine the two and use them against a human being - I'm not breaking any laws.  
   

I would love to know and replicate the way archery became such a socially accepted and legal weapon in almost every country. Even Australia which arguably has one of the toughest sets of firearm and weapon restrictions in some states perfectly accepts the weapon as legal and unregulated to purchase and keep.

There's a reason why the bow isn't illegal and other weapons such as slingshots, blowguns and various weapons don't have legal clubs or avenues to legally use in most countries. Perhaps it's because high society adapted the bow into their culture or has rules and a regulated competition. Despite many accidents, illegal hunting and perhaps even murders with the bow it remains completely legal and unregulated. It seems to be such a solid part of culture that almost nothing can tarnish its legal standings or its image.

I believe slings, slingshots and blowguns should all have a legal avenue to which you can practice and shot them as part of a hobby or interest. I would like to live in a world where the sling is treated with the same respect and legal organization as the bow. I'm not sure how such an organization would come into existence but I hope that one day it will exist before the sling is recognized and exploited by questionable individuals. I'm guessing meetings with the law would be necessary to establish such a club.  

Very recently I have heard debate over the broad definition (in the US?) of "weapons of mass destruction", part of which was anything projecting a missile over one half inch in diameter. An expert commented that the definition would include something like a potato gun, as the law did not specify powder as a propellant. It occurred to me that a sling would fit in the definition, so you go from a harmless peice of rope to a wmd. ????

The US definition for "Weapon of Mass Destruction" or WMD is anything nuclear, biological, or chemical capable of causing "high order destruction" and/or "mass casualties" and specifically excludes the delivery method. Shoot a glow-in-the-dark potato and it may be called a WMD, but the potato gun won't be. There is no formal agreement over how much destruction or how many injuries constitutes a WMD. I've found a lot of weapon laws are written to be this broad, so as to fold new ideas and concepts in with minimal changes. That and lawmakers don't usually know much about what they are legislating.

Here here camo!

And Curious Aardvark... whats the weight on those bearings? How do you find they compare to lead glandes?

Camo-sling wrote on May 15^th, 2013 at 10:25am:

I would love to know and replicate the way archery became such a socially accepted and legal weapon in almost every country. Even Australia which arguably has one of the toughest sets of firearm and weapon restrictions in some states perfectly accepts the weapon as legal and unregulated to purchase and keep. There's a reason why the bow isn't illegal and other weapons such as slingshots, blowguns and various weapons don't have legal clubs or avenues to legally use in most countries. Perhaps it's because high society adapted the bow into their culture or has rules and a regulated competition. Despite many accidents, illegal hunting and perhaps even murders with the bow it remains completely legal and unregulated. It seems to be such a solid part of culture that almost nothing can tarnish its legal standings or its image. I believe slings, slingshots and blowguns should all have a legal avenue to which you can practice and shot them as part of a hobby or interest. I would like to live in a world where the sling is treated with the same respect and legal organization as the bow. I'm not sure how such an organization would come into existence but I hope that one day it will exist before the sling is recognized and exploited by questionable individuals. I'm guessing meetings with the law would be necessary to establish such a club.

I wouldn't speak too loudly with regards to bows mate. It is currently in the system to have bows registered and bow owners licenced along the same lines as firearms. It's just a matter of how soon it makes it to legislation.


Mick

Mick wrote on May 16^th, 2013 at 7:35am:

I wouldn't speak too loudly with regards to bows mate. It is currently in the system to have bows registered and bow owners licenced along the same lines as firearms. It's just a matter of how soon it makes it to legislation. Mick

It makes sense to have bow owners registered. However, not enabling a legal avenue to practice and use the weapon in a safe and controlled environment isn't sensible. Mick, where did you hear it's in the system? I'd like to read up on that.

Camo-sling wrote on May 16^th, 2013 at 7:54am:

Mick wrote on May 16th, 2013 at 7:35am: I wouldn't speak too loudly with regards to bows mate. It is currently in the system to have bows registered and bow owners licenced along the same lines as firearms. It's just a matter of how soon it makes it to legislation. Mick It makes sense to have bow owners registered. However, not enabling a legal avenue to practice and use the weapon in a safe and controlled environment isn't sensible. Mick, where did you hear it's in the system? I'd like to read up on that.

Wait. So if that happens in America, what happens when I finish up a nice elm bow... and don't get around to registering it for a week?

Camo-sling wrote on May 16^th, 2013 at 7:54am:

Mick wrote on May 16th, 2013 at 7:35am: I wouldn't speak too loudly with regards to bows mate. It is currently in the system to have bows registered and bow owners licenced along the same lines as firearms. It's just a matter of how soon it makes it to legislation. Mick It makes sense to have bow owners registered. However, not enabling a legal avenue to practice and use the weapon in a safe and controlled environment isn't sensible. Mick, where did you hear it's in the system? I'd like to read up on that.

It makes absolutely no sense to register bow owners. Same with any other weapon. Tell me, anyone, what a weapons registry accomplishes? Doesn't prevent crime so what's the point?

No matter what kind of restrictions there are on weapons, when criminals want them, they get them. Only law abiding people go through the efforts of licensing and registering anything. Only those who obey the law go through the trouble. Personally I am against all weapons licensing or registry. Doesn't mean that as a law-abiding, tax paying citizen that I would advocate breaking the law, but I will give my opinion and that opinion is that registrations serve no purpose other than inconveniencing the law abiding citizen.

Agreed on the level of knowledge and understanding of certain weapons as it relates to legislators and law makers. As an example, black powder firearms don't have the same purchase or other restrictions center-fire weapons do. Why? Who knows. Maybe it's because they're perceived as less of a threat. Maybe it's because few if any crimes have been committed by musket wielding madmen.

SSlinger; Don't worry, no one is going to make you register your little handmade wooden bow.

Curious Aardvark wrote on May 15^th, 2013 at 8:59am:

It is an interesting legal argument. For example - when does a sling become a weapon ? I carry a sling in my back pocket and three 2cm ballbearings in one of my front pockets. Seperately neither one is either a weapon or illegal. However when combined - they constitute a potentially lethal weapon. However up until that point it's not illegal, and it most likely only becomes illegal if the combination is used either to cause damage or against a human being. My argument is - in the unlikely event I'm successfully mugged - I can take the buggers down while they're running away - no way in hell would I miss 3 times :-)   But up until the point I combine the two and use them against a human being - I'm not breaking any laws.

It's a question of context and police discretion. Take a sling and ball bearings into a football ground and you'd be off to pokey in a flash.
Get caught with same on a country footpath and you'd most likely be OK. Get caught on the High Street and all would depend on the copper's mood.

I think unless you're already known to the cops as a dangerous criminal they will probably be accommodating. They will know the difference between a hobby enthusiast and an antagonist. I think most of them will scoff at our "toys". And I'm fine with that.

In Finland, all they think sling as a toy for children.
My old video: Even the nails can hurt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXuea_LbVtk

squirrelslinger wrote on May 17^th, 2013 at 3:52pm:

Wait. So if that happens in America, what happens when I finish up a nice elm bow... and don't get around to registering it for a week?

I was talking in terms of Australian law. It's a completely different set of laws and culture which put in place very strict weapons laws decades and decades ago. I think almost everyone in Australia are very grateful for these laws and feel a hell of a lot safer knowing its very difficult to obtain a rifle through legal processes and nearly impossible to obtain an illegal firearm such as a pistol. Everyday criminals rarely are able to get their hands on a gun, however, some criminal organization networks do.  

In America, I doubt you will even see much progress in anti-gun law in the next thirty years. And even if they do, it will most likely be a lot longer until they can make you guys register bows. I'm not sure how they will make you or us register bows we have made though...

timpa wrote on May 18^th, 2013 at 6:22pm:

In Finland, all they think sling as a toy for children. My old video: Even the nails can hurt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXuea_LbVtk

Woooowwwww!!!!!!!!! That would truly hurt. Even tennis balls can hurt if slung hard enough. a sling is a good discouragement weapon... Its not that accurate, but it can scare the S*** out of would-be attackers(who isn't gonna freak out when a fist-sized chunk of rock flies by at 100 FPS?)

Yeah, don't do that.

Hello, gentlemen.

In Russia the sling illegal by law (Weapons Act, original ЗОО). But, our happiness, policemen in 99.99% don't know what is that. Moreover - if man use a sling, and police see this, most often they do not know that this type of weapon is prohibited.

Good luck!

Even making sling is illegal in Russia :(  At least it is in gray zone.

Camo-sling wrote on May 19^th, 2013 at 8:17pm:

I was talking in terms of Australian law. It's a completely different set of laws and culture which put in place very strict weapons laws decades and decades ago. I think almost everyone in Australia are very grateful for these laws and feel a hell of a lot safer knowing its very difficult to obtain a rifle through legal processes and nearly impossible to obtain an illegal firearm such as a pistol. Everyday criminals rarely are able to get their hands on a gun, however, some criminal organization networks do.   In America, I doubt you will even see much progress in anti-gun law in the next thirty years.

I find it interesting that it's perceived that way. Maybe I'm just too much of a Yank, but I would resent such legislation here in the States even if it really did bring down gun murders. To me it feels patronizing and controlling.

It's also interesting to me that the strongest anti-gun laws that I know of are Japan, Britain, and Australia. All of which are nations with no land borders.


As to the question for NY specifically. Again, if you do it safely you probably won't get in trouble. I used to sling into the East River in NYC and I never got in trouble. But then I always shot into the river, so no humans were ever in danger. And no cops ever came across me. Most cops will rightly judge that the risk is lies in accidentally hitting someone, and if you have that controlled you should be ok. But it all depends, they could make your life miserable should they choose to do so.

monoid wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2013 at 1:26pm:

Even making sling is illegal in Russia :(  At least it is in gray zone.

Yes, mr. Monoid is right. In Russia, prohibited by Weapon Act from making, keep (own) and use a sling, which refers to the thrown weapons, and can also be identified as weapons of shock-crushing character.

This is law. Reality - police do not pay attention to the sling, considering it child toy. Of course, if you do not throw stones amidst the city. And I think - it's good!

I apologize for the fact that bursting into the conversation, but if you will, will express my view of Russia. Although about it here out of the question.


perpetualstudent wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2013 at 2:24pm:

I find it interesting that it's perceived that way. Maybe I'm just too much of a Yank, but I would resent such legislation here in the States even if it really did bring down gun murders. To me it feels patronizing and controlling.

I fully agree with Mr. Perpetualstudent, it's an interesting look. More than that - 70 years of communism in Russia and 20 years of the present stage, does not destroyed in people wanting to have a firearm.

If rephrase that - I'm just too much of a Russian, but I resent such legislation here in the Russia.


perpetualstudent wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2013 at 2:24pm:

It's also interesting to me that the strongest anti-gun laws that I know of are Japan, Britain, and Australia. All of which are nations with no land borders.

Russia, of course, not England, but here is not sweet. Not an easy procedure for obtaining smooth-bore hunting weapons for at least 5 years experience of ownership of these weapons will be able to purchase of hunting rifle. A full prohibition of the purchase / wearing / using handguns and total ban on the circulation of combat small arms (and others too; include many of knifes). Limiting the use of bows and crossbows. And many more completely stupid bans.

Once again I apologize for the fact that I'm so insolently interrupted your conversation.

Good luck!

This is an international forum, everyone's input and opinions are welcome.  We do not agree with each other all the time, but who does?

Slinger93 wrote on Mar 28^th, 2010 at 6:00am:

But, does any one know anything, about situation of Slings in UK?

Police officer in England here. It depends what you do with it. If you're just walking the dog and throwing a few stones around in a large empty field then nobody will mind, but if you take your sling and start launching projectiles around in a shopping centre, you will likely end up in trouble, because a sling can count as an offensive weapon in some circumstances.