How was the crossbows ability to hold someone "at gunpoint" recognized during the middle ages and was it utilized for that reason by certain people (law enforcement/guards, robbers etc.)?

by dondaffno

I think beeing able to threaten people by pointing a loaded crossbow at them would have been a pretty new thing as you can't effectively do it with a bow or other ranged weapons from that period. So was this really used and were people like guards or criminals armed with crossbows for that specific reason apart from other advantages like easy use and power?

hborrgg

Can Crossbows be kept in a loaded state for long periods of time, or does the bow/string start to weaken?