Is a bow considered a firearm in Pennsylvania?

[BigBore454]

This past hunting season I was sitting in my tree stand bowhunting on park property, when a Township police officer made contact with me. Come down out of that tree he says, hunting is prohibited in all Horsham parks PECO property. I climb down out of the tree gathered my stand my bow my and camera and went back to the officers car. To make a long story short, I am back to my original question is a bow considered a firearm in Pennsylvania and if it is how does that turn into a charge of discharging a firearm in a park in a park or park or resort. Can anyone answer this for me thanks in advance.

[ChuckS]

.... hunting is prohibited in all Horsham parks PECO property.....is a bow considered a firearm in Pennsylvania and if it is how does that turn into a charge of discharging a firearm in a park in a park or park or resort. ....

You should only be charged for what rules you violated...hunting where prohibited.

If you didn't actually fire your weapon, you shouldn't be charged for it.

BTW, I seriously doubt that a bow is considered a firearm anyway.

[CL3]

From Title 18, Section 6102 Definitions:

"Firearm." Any pistol or revolver with a barrel length less
than 15 inches, any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18
inches or any rifle with a barrel length less than 16 inches,
or any pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun with an overall length
of less than 26 inches. The barrel length of a firearm shall
be determined by measuring from the muzzle of the barrel to the
face of the closed action, bolt or cylinder, whichever is
applicable.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/pennsylvania.pdf

[Steve_NEPhila]

Ahh the pervasive thought crime, you thought about it so you are charged with it.

Fun aside, a bow is not a firearm in Pennsylvania yet it might be in New Jersey depending on which hoplophobe is "interpreting" the law in Jersey.

[Hawk]

Did you discharge it? If not, than how can he make that jump let alone making the jump to calling a bow a firearm?

Now if there is a township ordinance against discharging a "weapon" in the park, and you actually launched an arrow from your bow while in the park, then I think the officer is ignorant of the correct language for the charge.

You may want to consider fighting the charge if you didn't discharge the bow and the fact that it's not a "firearm" as the charge claims. IANAL

[God's Country]

A bow is NOT a firearm.

"Firearm." Any weapon which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel any projectile by the action of an explosive, or the frame or receiver of any such weapon.

edit:

In fact a prohibited individual can still purchase and hunt with a bow.

[knight0334]

A bow is not a firearm for state law.

For local laws, they may prohibit discharging any sort of device - gun, BBgun, airsoft, bow & arrow, paintball, etc.

[TheLom]

Lawyer up, fight it.

[MARINE DIVISION TWO]

Some confusion arises from Out of Staters ( N Y ) Have known that a BOW is considered a firearm,only if a felony has also occured,then moving to PA. this is where the conflict of interpreting the Laws get mixed, Thank God Pa Laws are not that anal !,Can I say anal ? dont want to offend anyone,I am getting too old !

[tsafa]

Sounds like they idiot cop did you a favor. Get a lawyer to fight this in court. Your lawyer should put the cop in the witness stand and ask him first what a firearms is and second if you saw you fire one. Let the cop prove you not guilty with his own testimony. No Plea bargain.