MA Jay
I will try to answer your questions as best I can.
On the point that a crossbow holds the weapon at full draw and all bows don't, how do you rationalize that away. It's whaty makes a bow a bow and a crossbow something else.
This is the point that even I have the hardest time with because it is so different. I guess the way I rationalize it is like this. While that is a big difference, there are still so many similarities that can't be ignored that make it still more bow like than anything else. Including it's legal definition.
There we differ. You can seperate them .. in fact they ARE seperated already.
Like I said, in some states it can be done, but here in Illinois I don't know if it can. It's not separate here now. Crossbows are allowed by handicaped during the archery season only. If they become legal they won't be separated, the season will stay the same, during the archery season. So if it does happen (becomes legal) and the bow hunters start to complain where do you move it to? Makes for allot of infighting if you ask me and for what?
I guess what i'm trying to say is if legalized, crossbows are gonna need a season. I think what you will find is that the states that allow them for the handicapped during the gun season will continue to use that season. The states that allow them for the handicapped during the archery season will continue to use that season. And the states that have a separate season now will keep it separate.
What I have a problem with is the attitude " it's ok to allow crossbows as long as it's not during MY season" to me it sounds elitist. Especially when there is no PROVEN fact that it would be a detriment to the season. If anything it CAN be proved that the two can get along in the same season by the states that allow it now.