Peter Cuffaro of Wheeling, West Virginia, is challenging that state’s ban on the use of crossbows during that state’s archery seasons. Cuffaro, who was paralyzed from the chest down after a 1983 diving accident, has filed a complaint arguing that the ban violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources argues that the archery season is intended for “primitive” weapons. Crossbows do not qualify, they argue, because of their accuracy and range. The state does allow disabled hunters with a special permit and a note from their doctor to use a cocking device for traditional bows, however.
According to the Charleston Gazette, Cuffaro was inspired by Colorado resident Tom LaQuey who successfully challenged that state’s ban on using crossbows. LaQuey formed a group in March called the Coalition for Disabled Hunter Rights that seeks to change laws to allow disabled hunters to use crossbows. In a press release announcing the group’s formation it maintained that,
The Coalition?s primary goal is to reform disabled archery regulations nationwide to ensure that disabled archers are afforded the opportunity to choose a weapon that best accommodates their needs ? this will include the legalization of both crossbows and modified compound bows. Myths regarding crossbow speed, power, and range are often cited in influencing regulations prohibiting their use during archery seasons. In reality, however, the crossbow offers disabled hunters no significant advantages over able-bodied hunters. For many disabled hunters, the crossbow offers the safest, most effective means to hunt as an equal. This weapon accommodates a variety of disabilities while simultaneously maintaining a reasonable essence of the bowhunting heritage. The Coalition believes that opponents of crossbows are misinformed in their belief that disabled crossbowers will “ruin the bow season”.
Source:
Disabled hunter seeks right to use crossbow. John Heys, Charleston Gazette, August 10, 2003.