South Africans Who Can’t Get Guns Turn to Crossbows:

Reuters reports:

Tighter gun ownership laws [under which the police turn down 80% of gun license requests after an 18-month application process] are pushing South Africans to buy crossbows, spears, swords, knives and pepper sprays to protect themselves from violent crime. . . .

Despite official figures showing the murder rate falling 10 percent in the year to March 2004, South Africa’s Arms and Ammunition Dealers Association says individuals face a one in 60 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in any given year. . . .

Thanks to reader Glenn Wright Bowen for the pointer.