united-kingdom weapons is-x-legal transportation sport
Can I take a bow and arrows on the train in the UK?
<p>I'm interested in taking up archery. Attending the closest club would require that I take the train there as I cannot drive.</p>

<p>Would I be able to take a bow and arrows, secured in a case, on the train?</p>

<p>The train operator is Northern Rail in the UK.</p>

<p>If the train operator allows it, yes, you would be permitted to do so.</p>

<p>There are no laws specifically against the carrying of bows and/or arrows, nor is a licence required for their purchase.</p>

<p>Bows can be carried openly with less issue, but arrows (because of their ease of use as a weapon) should be stored securely and safely, because</p>

<ul>
<li><p>this protects you and others from accidental injury;</p></li>
<li><p>it prevents others using the arrow as a weapon;</p></li>
<li><p>it is affirmative evidence for a defence of lawful purpose, if you are accused of carrying an offensive weapon.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>The latter is the greatest risk you may face from a legal perspective, so you should follow best practise similarly to firearms and ammunition: store and transport the bow and arrows <em>safely, securely, separately</em>.</p>

<p>In addition to <a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/a/14805">the answer by @Nij</a>, this would be like people taking potentially offensive weapons to and from martial arts events. I was taught that any offensive weapons should be carried in a bag, at the bottom of a separate bag. This was to make it hard (and shown to be hard) to access. I would do a similar thing with your arrows.</p>

<p>From my limited understanding, an offensive weapon is only such when it can be used, or looks like it can be used (e.g., replica weapons).</p>

<p>I decided to contact the train operator, Northern, by email with this question. This is their response:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>You can take your secured bow and arrows on the train. The limitations are not what you are carrying but the bulk of the items.</p>
</blockquote>
