42 replies to this topic

[JoergS]

mr.joel, on 22 January 2010 - 09:32 AM, said:

Who would be a certified acknowledged expert? Can you contact this person? I

Actually the German Government runs a whole outfit that decides about these issues, called "Bundeskriminalamt" (federal bureau of crime). You can in fact contact them and ask for an opinion, but it would

a) be uncertain if they would respond (you have no legal right to get a response)
cost a lot of money, and
c) can backlash against you, because if they conclude that the slingshot IS banned, then you have automatically committed the crime of owning it at one point. They would pass the whole issue over to prosecution.

So it is generally not a great idea.

Jörg

[Chuff]

And here's me thinking English law was daft....

[mr.joel]

There you go; costs money and risk incriminating yourself asking to try to be a law abiding citizen. It seems your legal system is just about as idiotic as my country's. I think ours(U.S) is even less forgiving, however. I have dealt with the same level of stupidity when I wanted to inquire about something that was questionably legal. The difference with us is, you pay a bottom feeder(a.k.a. lawyer) a ridiculous sum to tell you nothing.

[AaronC]

How about a Knuckle Shot? The load would be across your knuckles, instead of a brace.

Attached Files

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[JoergS]

First, this may still be called a "comparable" device (against an arm brace). Also, I don't think that I could hold the same strain on my knuckles vs. on the back of my hand.

[Chuff]

A big shame this design's coming to a premature halt as it could've produced some real nice catapults

[p4v_singh]

wow smittys got a one of kind slingshot from JOERG how lucky ot another in the world

[ZDP-189]

mr.joel, on 22 January 2010 - 09:32 AM, said:

Who would be a certified acknowledged expert? Can you contact this person?

In Germany, that would be a Mr Sprave.

"That's not a slingshot, it's an orthopaedic brace."

[mr.joel]

...so it attaches to your foot, then?

[Flatband]

Typical behavior of someone who is jealous of anothers popularity - bad mouth them or in this case dime them in to the authorities about some activity they think is questionable. The Slingshot is a "Back of Palm Brace Design", it has nothing to do with the wrist being braced. I agree with you Joerg,not worth the possible problems associated with fighting it. Jeez, sounds like Germany is really New Jersey!!!! Flatband Oh yeah BTW Bud, if you need a place to stash your Slingshots,ship them on over. They will be safe with me. I kind of like Slingshots a bit I've been told! Flatband

[Saxon]

The old saying is that no good deed goes unpunished. I think thats "total bollocks." I think its "What goes around comes around" So Jeorg did someone a favor, a favor should come his way in the future.

[ZDP-189]

Does an arm brace have to be attached to the catapult to count? Using catapults would I am sure eventually cause painful repetitive stress injury. Would it be legal to wear an orthopaedic wrist brace to stabilise the wrist while shooting? It would be like those carpal tunnel syndrome braces or like a wrist plaster cast made from thermoplastic sheet. Surely they can't ban something used on medical grounds. We're not talking about a catapult fitted with a wrist brace, but a person whose wrist has been encased in a protective cast using a normal catapult.

[JoergS]

I am afraid the text in the related law paragraph gives a judge a trememndous amount of freedom. The law says "arm braces or comparable devices". What is comparable? In theory, even a low fork could qualify because it allows stronger bands.

After several cases have been tried, it seems that everything that mechanically supports the wrist is illegal. So a shoulder butt is illegal, there is no more strain on the wrist. A stabilizer (forward extended weight) is legal, though.

But it comes down to the fact that only a straight design that has no additional mechanism (compared to a common natural fork slingshot) is risk free. Attach the slightest additional part and the judge can punish you if he wants. Every slingshot designer has to find his individual risk limit - how far do I dare to go?

We have no juries in Germany, cases are tried by a professional judge (essentially a civil servant).

Jörg

[ZDP-189]

I keep going on about orthopedic braces. I find this helps me shoot strong bands on conventional brace-less forks. It prevents my hand from bending. It is designed for repetitive stress injury (It's not worn on my right hand, before you ask ) and makes participating in this sport more comfortable. It is not a part of the catapult or designed to be used with one.

[Scrambler84]

Makes that guy a Great Guy to do that for you Joerg is a Great guy to do that for you Hats off to Him yea the Slingshot channel Rocks ...

[fatboy]

Any questionable catapults may be sent to Tobaccoville NC to be evaluated thoroughly.

[Big Sandy]

Im loving the Gloveshot, once i get my first board cut done, im working that one out. Oh and a 'W' design. Mr. Sprave has the awesomest designs!!

[smitty]

I still like shooting with the glove-shot. It can be used with an open grip just like shooting a bow. It is one of my prize possessions.