[nosse]

I've kind of been waiting for this. This could provoke really interesting renaissance of the crossbow among street gangs. And other deadly melee weapons might get big leaps of progress. There might be a telescopic sword coming or something similar.

Here's something from India. From times when weapons had to be carried secretly. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urumi

My forecast is that in the long run, bystanders will get less damage. But real murders get harder to investigate as there will be no gunpowder residue. And crossbow is easier to manufacture by oneself than firearm and that makes murder weapon tracking harder.

[protomyth]

I would bet on bows before crossbows (speed, easier to hide). Quite a few hunters here are learning bow because the number of rifle deer licenses this season have been cut in half, but a lot of bow licenses remain.

[nosse]

You don't have to have a leaf spring in the bow as is custom right now. With spiral spring, a "crossbow" can look more like a big pistol.