A simple little project as easy as this one can go a long way in the fight for full inclusion. I am sure somewhere someone has done the exact same thing. Here is my version of it anyway.
Crossbow validated by Buckeye Dan
Crossbows are not bows because they fire bolts or quarrels.
What does a crossbow use for a projectile? The anti crossbow groups and individuals would have us believe that the crossbow "does not use arrows it uses bolts or quarrels"
How does Webster's dictionary define a crossbow bolt?
Answer : a square-headed bolt or arrow especially for a crossbow.
How does Webster's dictionary define a quarrel?
Answer : a shaft or missile designed to be shot from a crossbow or catapult; especially : a short stout usually blunt-headed arrow.
It is interesting that the creators of the Webster's dictionary can not describe the projectile that a crossbow uses without using the word arrow in the description.
How does Webster's dictionary define an arrow then?
Answer : a missile shot from a bow and usually having a slender shaft, a pointed head, and feathers at the butt.
According to the definition of the projectile used for a modern crossbow they are a bow because we all can agree that bow's fire arrows.
The crossbow is not archery equipment.
What is archery equipment? The anti crossbow groups and individuals would have us believe that only their definition of archery equipment is true archery equipment.
How does Webster's dictionary define archery?
Answer : 1 : the art, practice, or skill of shooting with bow and arrow 2 : an archer's weapons
How does Websters dictionary define archer?
Answer : a person who uses a bow and arrow
Crossbows are not bows.
Well we have already determined that a crossbow fires an arrow. We will need the definition of a bow to qualify a crossbow for being archery equipment. We also know that one can not be an archer without using a bow and arrow.
How does Webster's dictionary define a bow?
Answer : a weapon that is made of a strip of flexible material (as wood) with a cord connecting the two ends and holding the strip bent and that is used to propel an arrow
How does Webster's dictionary define the crossbow?
Answer : a weapon for shooting quarrels and stones that consists chiefly of a short bow mounted crosswise near the end of a stock
Well that should put the argument to rest. Buy definition the crossbow is a bow. It does fire arrows. It is archery equipment. And anyone who uses a crossbow is an archer.
Reference source credits:
The Merriam -Webster Online Dictionary
http://mw4.m-w.com/
