Yes, crossbows are legal in Chile for civilian use, but their acquisition and possession are subject to strict regulations under the Ley de Control de Armas y Explosivos (Decreto Supremo N° 594/2020) and oversight by the Carabineros de Chile and Subsecretaría de Prevención del Delito. Civilian ownership requires registration, background checks, and compliance with storage protocols, reflecting Chile’s post-2018 reforms tightening firearm-adjacent weaponry oversight.
Key Regulations for Crossbows in Chile
- Registration Mandate: All crossbows must be registered with the Registro Nacional de Armas (RNA) under the Dirección General de Movilización Nacional (DGMN), mirroring firearm protocols. Unregistered possession risks confiscation and criminal liability under Código Penal Article 145.
- Storage Requirements: Crossbows must be stored in locked safes with ammunition separate from the weapon, per DS 594/2020 storage standards. Violations trigger administrative fines or criminal charges for negligent storage.
- Prohibited Use: Crossbows cannot be carried in public spaces without justification (e.g., hunting permits). Their use in urban areas or against persons is criminalized under Ley N° 20.813 (2015), which equates crossbow projectiles with firearms in aggravated assault cases.