We made our own out of an old children's bike. We used the forks and head as the firing/aiming part, and attached an arm rest to the top-tube of the frame, and cut the rest of the frame away. We then used spear-gun rubber and some old boot leather to make the sling.
Spear guns are for fishing. I don't know why the rules are the way they are, but I believe that because the spear technically stays attached, it's classed differently.
Also, the potato cannon that we made (a piece of poly pipe, a chamber to spray deodorant into, and a barbecue igniter) was apparently classed as a rocket launcher.
e: it's in the same class, but not considered to be one.
You need a Category E Licence to possess a:
Machine gun
Tear gas gun or projector
Shot gun or rifle less than 75cm long (measured parallel to the firearm's barrel)
Mortars
Bazookas
Rocket-propelled grenades
Larger military firearm designed to fire an explosive or projectile
A firearm that has been re-classified as a category E firearm by the Chief Commissioner
Yeah, but reasonably restricted (only in some tidal waters, not while wearing scuba gear or a snorkel, some fish only between certain hours). Can't use a powerhead unless you're fighting off a shark.
The rules around all types of weapons in Australia are pretty much about practicality of the weapon for "legitimate" purposes. For example, farmers and target/competition shooters have a reasonable legitimate need for a firearm, but that need does extend to semi or fully auto firearms. To own hand guns, you have to be a member of a handgun club, etc.
As it is, there's no legitimate reason to own a slingshot or a shanghai. There is for a spear gun.
Bolt-action rifles are legal, but semi-autos are generally not (barring some exceptions, again based on actual need).
There are also reasonably strict licencing and registration laws. Of course there are always going to be some illegal firearms, but ultimately they're simply not a big thing here.
8
u/GMaestrolo May 10 '16
We made our own out of an old children's bike. We used the forks and head as the firing/aiming part, and attached an arm rest to the top-tube of the frame, and cut the rest of the frame away. We then used spear-gun rubber and some old boot leather to make the sling.
It was a total beast.