The slungshot is making a comeback. Republican Representative Neil Combee of Polk County is trying to decriminalize the weapon one more time.
Sailors gave the slungshot its name when they tied a weight to a rope in order to toss the line to shore or another ship. It turned into a weapon in the 19th century when gangs shortened it for swinging a deadly weight.
Slunshots were outlawed in Florida 1868. Combee’s worried owners of the device may not know they’re illegal. Combee told his colleagues that he saw key chain-sized versions of the device at a craft fair and didn't want to put artisans at risk of arrest.
He also wants to promote an industry.
Combee’s bill would also legalize brass knuckles.
